Conservation Assistant - Linn County

The approximately 345 employees of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) are responsible for a wide range of programs that affect the quality of life of every Iowan. Both Iowans living on the farm and those in our towns and cities are impacted almost daily by the work of the Department.

The Field Services Bureau seeks to fill the position of Conservation Assistant (Secretary 2). Land stewardship is central to the work of the Department. The Division of Soil Conservation & Water Quality provides farmers with expertise and funds to help them install practices that preserve our highly productive soil, prevent erosion and protect our critical waterways. The Department is focused on making sure future Iowans can experience the same high quality of life that past generations have enjoyed in our state.

The Conservation Assistant provides administrative and clerical support to the Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), SWCD board members, and field office staff. (requires minimal travel)

Field Office Program Support

• Process and enter applications, amendments, maintenance agreements, and cost share payments into the Financial and Reports Management System (FARMS).
• Provide program and financial incentive information for WQI, REAP, IFIP, Buffer Initiative, Watershed Programs and other state programs.
• Work collaboratively with IDALS to ensure prompt and accurate payment to producers.
• Maintain accurate financial ledgers for State and District Program funds (for audit).
• Assist with contractor meetings for the district. Prepare agenda, meeting materials and related mailings.
• Maintain files for all state and federal correspondence, directives, bulletins, updates, policy and procedure changes, and related case files.
• Answer multiline phone for all incoming calls and route to appropriate individual/department.
• Process and distribute all incoming mail. Prepare outgoing mail for delivery.
• Assist staff and commissioners preparing and submitting travel reimbursement requests.
• Receptionist: Primary contact for all individuals entering office.
• Prepare news releases and disseminate appropriately.
• Prepare IDALS quarterly reconciliations and reports.
• Provide customer service and information to general public for activities related to SWCD district, state cost share programs and federal programs.
• Maintain adequate supply of handout information, brochures and job sheets

District Activities

• Assist the SWCD board with developing and organizing information for funding opportunities.
• Assist SWCD board with poster contest preparation. Work with contest judges and arrange for SWCD presentation of awards to contest winners.
• Adhere to IDALS ethical and financial policies and programs guidelines.
• Renew annual bulk mail permit.
• Collect and assemble documentation needed for annual SWCD and State audits.
• Forward correspondence received in office to SWCD Board members concerning action alerts, legislation, upcoming meetings and state and national association information. Ensure correspondence from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is presented to the SWCD board.
• Confer with the District Chair on upcoming activities, meetings, district policy and priorities.
• Prepare SWCD meeting agendas and post 24 hours in advance of board meeting. Take and prepare official meeting minutes for approval by SWCD board and distribute within 7 days after approved by SWCD board per DSCWQ policy. Per DSCWQ policy, prepare monthly treasurer's report for SWCD board and upon approval distribute.
• Assist SWCD Board with the development of applications and forms to the Iowa Soil Conservation Awards Program (ISCAP) and other recognition programs sponsored by IDALS and other partners.
• Maintain inventory of district and state-owned equipment.
• Organize source documents and reports for SWCD Board reconciliation and review.
• Coordinate and assemble newsletters and annual reports.
• Maintain accurate ledgers including but not limited to equipment rental, private fundraising activities, contracts, grants, and all other private and public funds received or managed by the SWCD.
• Prepare invoices and documents for accounts payable for the SWCD Board.
• Assist SWCD board with scholarship programs. Receive scholarship applications for SWCD board's selection of District winners and Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) finalists, forward on to CDI Regional Director prior to deadline.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

• Develop and maintain a log of complaints, receipt of service, appeals, “whistle blowers”, and Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee status reviews if requested by District Conservationist (DC).
• Maintain NRCS inventory of equipment and property and submit to area office.
• Develop and maintain VIP list of federal, state and local elected officials, representatives of environmental groups and agricultural organizations, FSA county committee, county engineer and cooperating agencies and contacts.
• Maintain adequate inventory of all office supplies. Order from approved sources per NRCS policy.
• Assist NRCS with administrative duties for Federal programs including but not limited to EQIP, CRP, and CSP.
• Submit monthly postage and copier reports to area office.
• Assist with outreach programs for the district and NRCS. Prepare publications, power points, etc. for presentation.
• Assist DC in notifying producers of yearly status reviews and scheduling field office visits. Forward status review results to producers.
• Order repair of office equipment when necessary.
• Provide support to field staff in an effort to uphold the mission of the partnership.

Training

• Work with IDALS Field Representative and DC to seek and complete training that enhances skills and abilities.
• Complete IDALS and partner requirements to maintain computer access and job certification.
• Attend IDALS and NRCS meetings including; statewide, area, regional, online webinars, and conference calls.

Job offer will be subject to satisfactory completion of a Federal background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

Applicants may attach a cover letter and resume to their application. Application materials can be uploaded in the Attachments Section during the application process.

Benefits

As an employee of IDALS you are a State of Iowa employee and eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes

• Exceptional retirement package includes IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System) which is a fixed income or defined benefit pension plan
• Low out of pocket, high quality family medical insurance as low as $187.00 per month, single as low as $56.00 per month
• In addition to IPERS a deferred compensation plan (similar to a 401K) with a state match of up to $75.00 per month
• Dental insurance is free for single and $45.00 per month for family coverage
• Paid leave includes – 9 holidays, sick, vacation, military leave, and jury duty leave
• $20,000 basic life insurance at no cost, voluntary supplemental life for an additional cost, and long term disability insurance at no cost

To learn more about benefits available as a State of Iowa Employee click here benefits to visit the web page.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Experience equal to two years of full-time general office work, one year of which must have involved secretarial or related administrative support duties;

OR

post high school course work in an accredited secretarial, business, or closely related curriculum may be substituted for the required experience on a month-for-month basis;

OR

completion of thirty (30) semester (or equivalent) hours of undergraduate college level course work may be substituted for the one year of required general office experience;

OR

certification from the State of Iowa Administrative Assistant Certificate Program will substitute for six months of the required experience;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes the equivalent of one year of full-time work as a Secretary 1.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Qualification Requirements

Typing Requirement: Applicants may be required to have the ability to type 40 wpm net. If included in the Minimum Requirements of this job vacancy, you must provide verification of your typing score prior to the closing date of this vacancy. (Click here for more details about the typing test.)