Iowa County Soil and Water Conservation District

05/03/2024

05/02/2024

Through the innovative Batch and Build model developed in Iowa, we have become a national leader in implementation of edge of field water quality practices. These practices, which include saturated buffers and bioreactors, are designed to filter water as it leaves farm fields after rain events.

05/02/2024

05/01/2024

In the spirit of the theme for national Soil Stewardship Week (which is also this week) – May the Forest Be With You – we rounded up a few tree tips to share with you.

Many thanks to Dennis Carlson, Carlson Tree Farm in Hampton, and member of the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, for sharing these great ideas and videos!

05/01/2024

Happy Soil & Water Conservation Week! Every day is soil and water conservation week for Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's team in the Division of Soil Conservation. The Division is comprised of our Field Services, Water Resources, and Mines & Minerals Bureaus, and who work with farmers, landowners, counties, cities, organizations and our MANY conservation partners to get conservation on the ground.

Shout out to our team for their hard work and dedication to accelerating conservation across the state!

03/19/2024

LOCAL JOB VACANCY in Williamsburg, Iowa
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is currently seeking a qualified applicant for a State Soil Conservation Technician position located in Williamsburg, Iowa.
Do you enjoy working with a team?
This full-time, entry level position will be located in the local Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) office. The position will be working within the County and other surrounding SWCD offices as assigned by the supervisor. Soil Conservation Technicians provide technical assistance to the SWCD in the inventory and evaluation, layout, survey, design and inspection of construction of soil and water conservation practices. IDALS staff work in partnership with the USDA. The Iowa County field office is a "hub" for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), with a wide variety of staff and expertise. This team is well known for their professionalism, yet fun work environment.
• This job involves both office and field work. It requires walking over long distances, over difficult terrain.
• No Specific education or experience required. On-the-job training provided.
o This position will involve mathematics (including algebra and plane geometry) as applied to the survey, design and layout of conservation plans, as well as elementary engineering survey techniques as applied to the survey, design and layout of conservation practices.
• Starting Salary for new employees is $32,802 per year.
• Full time position with comprehensive benefit package which includes, but is not limited to:
o Low out of pocket, high quality family medical insurance as low as $187.00 per month, single as low as $56.00 per month
o Dental insurance is free for single and $45.00 per month for family coverage.
o $20,000 basic life insurance at no cost, voluntary supplemental life for an additional cost, and long-term disability insurance at no cost
o Exceptional retirement package includes IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System) which is a fixed income or defined benefit pension plan.
o In addition to IPERS a deferred compensation plan (similar to a 401K) with a state match of up to $75.00 per month
o Generous Leave package including vacation & sick days and 9 paid holidays.
How to apply:
Applicants may attach a cover letter and resume to their online application. Be sure to upload these documents to the "attachment section" in the application process. The Job Announcement can be accessed at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/4433645/soil-conservation-technician-iowa-county?page=1&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs&sort=PostingDate%7CDescending&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
The Job announcement closes on April 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM CST
IDALS is an equal opportunity employer.

10/06/2023

IDALS is Hiring in Williamsburg!
The Williamsburg NRCS office currently has an opening for a Soil Conservation Technician. This is a full-time position. Workdays are Monday through Friday. This position involves conducting engineering surveys and completing engineering designs for soil and water conservation practices such as grassed waterways, basins, wetlands, and others.
This is a Soil Conservation Tech I position with Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. This is a state position employed by the State of Iowa. For more information, and to apply for the position, please visit the following website:

Thank you for your interest in job opportunities with the State of Iowa. You can now apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and clicking on the "Apply" link. If there is no "Apply" link, please see the job description for instructions on how to apply. 

10/06/2023

FREE MULCH! FREE MULCH!! Anyone want FREE mulch? All you have to do is For more information on how leaving the fall leaves in your garden, check out the link to the Xerces Society page in our bio.

08/21/2023

Job Opening Extended
780 Conservation Technician
USDA Office, Williamsburg, IA
Technician duties would include assisting office staff with engineering surveys, designs, seeding plans, and practice checkouts for various projects. Prepare field notes, data sheets, and other documents.
This position is a temporary 780 hours that expires June 30, 2024. High school graduation and valid driver's license are required. Skills needed for this opening include background in agriculture and/or conservation, computer experience, strong written and verbal communication, work with landowners, producers, and contractors. The 780 technician is under the supervision of Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Field Representative and Iowa County SWCD.
Wages: $15.00-$25.00/hour depending on experience.
Position closes at 4:30pm on Monday, September 18, 2024.
Submit cover letter and resume by email to:
[email protected]
USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.

04/05/2023

It is time to sign up for State cost share on fall 2023 cover crops. Come to the office, email, or call me. Sign up runs thru June 30th. Let me know if you want more information on this program.