Land Resource Specialist

Location: Chilton

Salary: $66,475.50 - $85,468.50 Annually
Location : 206 Court St., Chilton, WI
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Land & Water Conservation
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Closing Date: 6/5/2026 11:59 PM Central

Description

Summary Under general supervision of the Conservationist, regulates compliance with the state agricultural performance standards, provides technical assistance to the public and other governmental agencies in assessing the need for and installation of conservation practices, to reduce soil erosion and protect water quality. Performs related duties as required.
Examples of Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Conducts field surveys to determine site-specific resource concerns and compliance issues. Estimates soil erosion and sediment delivery for conservation planning purposes. Provides technical information and assistance to land users, which may include practice recommendations to address resource concerns. Monitors compliance with regulations and program requirements.
Conducts site investigations to determine and monitor compliance of farms with State performance standards and prohibitions and local regulations. Estimates soil erosion for regulatory planning purposes.
Reviews and analyses various county records and utilizes other methods such as geographic information systems (GIS) data and field visits to determine compliance of land users with program regulatory requirements such as  Agricultural Performance Standards and Farmland Preservation Program requirements.
Uses satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment or other methods to collect specific land features, land areas and conservation practices for mapping and analysis. Chooses the correct computerized mapping tools within GIS to transfer and map locations within the GIS system. Develops customized maps of land features, resource inventories, and conservation practices; quantifies land features and inventories for further analysis; and conducts analysis of map layers to determine resource needs and trends.
Assists with the administration of the multi-agency Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) including, but not limited to: coordination of department and federal agency activities, participant application monitoring, progress reporting and tracking, map making, field surveys, and conservation practice design and installation.
Negotiates and develops cost share agreements with landowners, including, but not limited to: negotiating initial contract, determining eligibility, estimating practice cost, reviewing contract provisions, and notarizing signatures.
Primary administrator of the Farmland Preservation Program for the County including, but not limited to: utilization of database for tracking of program participation, interpretation of policies to public, signing and issuing of Certificates of Compliance, coordination of reporting with Department Of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and monitoring of compliance with soil and water conservation requirements.
Provides plan review, participation tracking in GIS geodatabase and cost-share to agricultural producers for the implementation of Nutrient Management Plans. Reviews Nutrient Management Plans to ensure compliance with 590 Nutrient Management conservation practice standard. Coordinates with crop consultants and provides annual reports to Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for statewide plan tracking.
Provides assistance to the public on groundwater testing including distribution of self-sampling materials and explaining how to take a proper sample.
Coordinates with multiple federal, state, and local agencies on assessing compliance, program tracking and determining practices and funding sources to address resource concerns and provide program outreach.
Provides education and outreach to farmers and landowners on regulations, available programs, and program rules.
Maintains a variety of complex electronic and paper records and reports.
It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the…