Conservation Assistant- Winnebago Jobs

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:

• 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 adequate supply of handout information, brochures and job sheets
• Prepare news releases and disseminate appropriately.
• Process and distribute all incoming mail. Prepare outgoing mail for delivery.
• Prepare IDALS quarterly reconciliations and reports.
• 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.
• Assist staff and commissioners preparing and submitting travel reimbursement requests.
• Receptionist: Primary contact for all individuals entering office.
• Maintain files for all state and federal correspondence, directives, bulletins, updates, policy and procedure changes, and related case files.
• Provide customer service and information to general public for activities related to SWCD district, state cost share programs and federal programs.
• Process and enter applications, amendments, maintenance agreements, and cost share payments into the Financial and Reports Management System (FARMS).
• Answer multiline phone for all incoming calls and route to appropriate individual/department.

• 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.
• 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.
• Renew annual bulk mail permit.
• 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.
• Collect and assemble documentation needed for annual SWCD and State audits.
• 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.
• Maintain inventory of district and state-owned equipment.
• Assist the SWCD board with developing and organizing information for funding opportunities.
• Coordinate and assemble newsletters and annual reports.
• 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 poster contest preparation. Work with contest judges and arrange for SWCD presentation of awards to contest winners.
• Organize source documents and reports for SWCD Board reconciliation and review.
• Confer with the District Chair on upcoming activities, meetings, district policy and priorities.
• Adhere to IDALS ethical and financial policies and programs guidelines.

• Maintain adequate inventory of all office supplies. Order from approved sources per NRCS policy.
• Assist with outreach programs for the district and NRCS. Prepare publications, power points, etc. for presentation.
• Provide support to field staff in an effort to uphold the mission of the partnership.
• 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.
• Maintain NRCS inventory of equipment and property and submit to area office.
• Assist DC in notifying producers of yearly status reviews and scheduling field office visits. Forward status review results to producers.
• 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).
• 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.
• Order repair of office equipment when necessary.

• Attend IDALS and NRCS meetings including; statewide, area, regional, online webinars, and conference calls.
• 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.

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

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.)

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