Nutrient Management Specialist

About the role

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Nutrient Management Specialist to join our team in Suffolk, Virginia. In this role, you will support Virginia’s Nutrient Management Program by working directly with agricultural operators, landowners, and partner agencies to reduce nonpoint source pollution and protect the Commonwealth’s natural resources.

Responsibilities

• Implement Virginia’s Nutrient Management Program within an assigned service area.
• Prepare Certified Nutrient Management Plans for agricultural operations and other regulated sites.
• Conduct on-site surveys and evaluations to verify plan implementation and compliance.
• Review nutrient management plans for regulatory and incentive-based programs to ensure accuracy and adherence to program standards.
• Provide technical assistance, guidance, and support to landowners, producers, and agricultural operators on nutrient management practices.
• Assist with the development and delivery of educational programs and outreach efforts aimed at reducing nutrient runoff into ground and surface waters.
• Support DCR’s broader nonpoint source pollution (NPS) reduction initiatives.

Qualifications

Training and experience in Agronomy, Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Science, or related areas, that provide the needed knowledge and abilities in those fields, or a combination of training and experience to provide the needed knowledge and abilities in those fields.

• Work experience which demonstrates ability to plan effectively and perform duties with minimum supervision.
• Must possess a previous work history and or the ability to communicate orally and in writing with diverse groups of people from varying economic/educational situations.
• Must possess strong written communication skills with a previous work history, which demonstrates experience reporting data and completing written reports.
• Previous work experience which demonstrates a knowledge of, and proficiency in using MS Office suite for word processing and creating presentations; compiling data to create and maintain spreadsheets and data databases, and or knowledge/use of other relevant software.
• VA Nutrient Management Certification (Acquire certification within 12 months of hire date)

Skills

Experience as a Certified Nutrient Management Planner, develop Nutrient Management Plans written to meet Virginia Nutrient Management Training and Certification regulations (or equivalent within service area) is desirable.

Benefits

DCR offers paid leave; a minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

• Free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• Overnight stay discounts for DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service): Free camping outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day season for sites accommodating up to six people, free Sunday–Thursday camping (excluding the night before holidays) during the Memorial Day–Labor Day period, and 50% off cabins (up to three bedrooms) outside the Memorial Day–Labor Day season for up to 14 nights.

Pay

The hiring range for this position is $60,000 - $72,000, Pay Band: 5.