Conservation & Agriculture Specialist

> Back to Job Search

Intermountain West Joint Venture

Lakeview, Oregon

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary: $ 50,000/year

Start / End Dates: Anticipated start date is January 2026

Preference given to applications received by December 31, 2025

Overview: This opportunity is part of a collaborative effort between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV), U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS), and Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) to further conservation delivery of NRCS Conservation Implementation Strategies (CIS) and other working lands conservation programs in southeast Oregon. The position will provide technical assistance to NRCS for implementing the Working Lands for Waterbirds Habitat Conservation CIS and other wildlife habitat conservation efforts. The primary objective of this position will be marketing and delivering Farm Bill conservation programs to livestock producers, flood irrigators and private landowners to enhance wildlife habitat on working lands.

Lakeview, Oregon is rural town that serves as the county seat of Lake County. Lake County is comprised of 70% publicly owned land which means outdoor adventures are endless. From high desert lakes, hot springs, to the Warner Mountain range and local ski area there is always an adventure awaiting. Lakeview is located in the high desert but is only 20 minutes away from forested National Forest lands. Nearby reservoir, lakes, and streams provide fishing and boating activities. Quality upland, waterfowl, and big game hunting opportunities abound. Visit the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge to see pronghorn, sage grouse and bighorn sheep, or hike through the shifting sand dunes in Christmas Valley. Lakeview is a great location if you are looking to settle down and take in some nature.

Duties:

  • Provide technical assistance (conservation planning, livestock and flood irrigation management, wildlife biology, wet meadow management, waterbird habitat management, or other natural resource disciplines) and guidance to landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations and others. Training will be provided by NRCS, IWJV, USFWS, DU and other local and state agencies.
  • Coordinate integration and application of biological sciences and production agriculture within the conservation programs in cooperation with the local NRCS Field Office and consistent with NRCS Field Office Technical Guides.
  • Complete conservation plans and maps, contracts, applications and other required documentation for implementing Farm Bill conservation programs ((i.e., Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)), and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Program. The position requires expertise in biological sciences, surface-irrigated agricultural lands (i.e. flood-irrigated), aquatic invasive species management, invasive plant management and rangeland science in cooperation with private landowners and partners.
  • Communicate program requirements, complete site visits to determine eligibility, and develop contracts/plans for applicants enrolling in USDA conservation programs or other state and local conservation programs for the management, restoration, enhancement and protection of flood-irrigated pasture, hay lands, and associated wetlands and riparian areas to mutually benefit livestock forage production and wetland-dependent migratory birds.
  • Work with agricultural producers to develop and implement infrastructure repair projects on flood-irrigatedpasture and hay lands. Provide information to landowners on emerging working lands conservation easement programs.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned, including promotion, marketing and outreach activities related to USDA, NAWCA and OWEB projects.

Qualifications / Experience Level Required:

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Ability to communicate effectively with private landowners, government agency personnel and conservation partner organizations.
  • Ability to work independently with little supervision.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with diverse clientele.
  • Knowledge of ranch management, water resource management and wetland ecology, including the ability to develop and complete flood irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation projects that include wetland wildlife habitat management objectives.
  • Ability to obtain USDA Security Clearance and NRCS Conservation Planning certification.
  • Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • A general qualification guideline for this position is an Associate’s Degree, or equivalent, in Natural Resource Planning, Rangeland Science, Wildlife Biology/Management or Agriculture Technology, with an emphasis on developing prescribed grazing systems and course work and/or experience in working lands management systems is desirable. Funding partners may agree to substitute experience in ranching if that experience includes forage production using flood irrigation.
  • Computer skills are required and applicant should be familiar with Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Ability to use NRCS Conservation Desktop, GIS applications, and GPS systems would be beneficial.
  • Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time over rough terrain; lift and move material weighing up to 50 pounds; work in all types of weather conditions.

Additional Information: The funds for this position are primarily of federal origin, managed through Cooperative Agreements with the hiring entity. Compensation is commensurate with experience. The position is year-round.

Training and Experience Guideline: Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Partnering Organizations:
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The NRCS supports America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. They deliver conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world. They have a vision of clean and abundant water, healthy soils, resilient landscapes, and thriving agricultural communities through voluntary conservation. The NRCS motto is “helping people help the land.”

Intermountain West Joint Venture
The Intermountain West Joint Venture’s mission is to conserve and enhance bird habitats at meaningful scales through capacity building, science, communications, and strategic partnerships. The funds for this position contributed by the IWJV are primarily of federal origin, managed through Cooperative Agreements with the hiring entity (WMI).

Wildlife Management Institute
The successful applicant will be an employee of Wildlife Management Institute (WMI). WMI is a professional conservation organization that works to improve the foundation of wildlife management.
Their mission is: “dedicated to the conservation, enhancement and professional management of North America’s wildlife and other natural resources.”

Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited is funding partner and provides technical guidance and support to the position. “Ducks Unlimited “conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people”

Supervision
Daily activities will be supervised by the Lakeview NRCS District Conservationist.

Benefits and Additional Information
WMI offers health insurance for the employee and employee’s spouse and children, 401(k) retirement benefits, workers’ compensation, general liability protection, professional liability protection and unemployment insurance benefits.

To Apply: Email a cover letter, resume and three references with contact information

Email: Email application materials with the subject line: “Lakeview Conservation and Agriculture Specialist” to kasey.bader@iwjv.org

Housing: No

Contact:

Kasey Bader

kasey.bader@iwjv.org

Apply for This Position: kasey.bader@iwjv.org

Application Closes: Open Until Filled

Visit our Resources page for resume help, additional job boards, and housing contacts for Southeast Oregon.

© High Desert Partnership. This site is managed by High Desert Partnership. High Desert Partnership strives to promote collaboration across communities of Eastern Oregon and is actively engaged in protecting diversity, enacting equity, and fostering inclusion. Our ambition is to contribute to building a sustainable and inclusive community in which ethnic, religious, gender, political and ideological differences are heard and respected.