H2Ohio - Nutrient Management Specialist

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39) and as outlined in the posting.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate major core program in applicable area of study
• 2 years training or experience in natural resources specialty indicated under job duties within approved position
• Valid drivers license.

We will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Final applicant accepted for position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicant with positive test result will not be offered employment per Section 123:Ohio Administrative Code.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services activities programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

What Youll Do:

You dont have to know a lot about agriculture youll learn that on the job!You just have to have a willingness to learn and a desire to devote your skills to a greater purpose.This position is responsible for:

• For the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Division of Soil & Water Conservation (DSWC) coordinates & directs Nutrient Management activities for the H2Ohio Program
• Provides leadership training guidance and workload oversight for Nutrient Management and the H2Ohio program across Western Lake Erie Basin; provides training on soil fertility and nutrient management concepts crop production practices conservation and nutrient best management practices
• Provides oversight and assessment of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) staff training and needs
• Provides feedback to SWCD boards of supervisors regarding SWCD Staff work and progress
• Implements coordinates & provides expertise on nutrient management & agronomy issues to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff & NRCS program applicants/participants working throughout Ohio)
• Coordinates activities with local SWCDs staff
• Prepares & maintains technical records & reports related to agronomy activities in the Division of Soil & Water Conservation management systems
• Initiates &/or responds to inquiries concerning regulations & requests for information
• Disseminates information provides technical assistance & works cooperatively with SWCDs on implementing H2Ohio and nutrient management (e.g. assists with the development review & tracking of nutrient management plans)
• Stays current on water quality research and the impact of Best Management Practices on water quality
• Performs miscellaneous administrative duties (e.g. analyzes reports & studies & recommends course of action
• Prepares reports & correspondence
• Coordinates workshops &/or meetings; prepares education materials scripts booklets & pamphlets
• Oversees preparation of displays & exhibits; purchases major equipment materials & supplies for field operations)
• Assists with training of agency & organization staff working on rules policies procedures & analysis (e.g. Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning)
• Acts as liaison with local state & national organizations
• Attends meetings training sessions & seminars & reads materials to keep abreast of nutrient management issues
• Assists in conducting special studies or program/projects
• Handles & resolves community complaints & problems & serves as expert witness
• Assists SWCDs throughout WLEBin the investigation & resolution of complaints associated with violations of agricultural pollution abatement rules
• Provides leadership oversight and direction to staff in SWCDs with conflict resolution and problem solving

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of DEI principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are: respect empathy transparency equality and equal access.

Whats in it for you:

At the State of Ohio we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits visit ourTotal Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality affordable and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.

Dental Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental vision and basic life insurancepremiums are available the following month after your hire date.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off including vacation personal and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of his/her salary towards his/her retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employees salary. Visit theOPERS websitefor more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit theOhio Deferred Compensation websitefor more information.

Maternity Benefits

• 12 weeks paid childbirth leave at 70% with option to supplement to 100%
• Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options. Several prenatal childbirth and post-childbirth services areprovided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.
• Examples of services now covered by network providers at 100% include:
  • Prenatal care including physician visits and examinations.
  • Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest.
  • Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.
  • Inpatient NICU claims from birth through discharge.
  • Postpartum care including office visits for follow-up and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.
• Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g. morning sickness postpartum depression). Medical services provided by non-network providers will be processed at the applicable coinsurance deductible and out-of-pocket limits.
• Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay. The State of Ohio has collaborated with the prescription drug third-party administrator (OptumRx) to provide a list of covered medications that can be approved for zero copay via prior authorization from providers.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services activities programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

This position is overtime exempt.

If you require an accommodation for the interview process or the position please notify the assigned recruiter.

Unusual Working Conditions:
Requires travel.

For Questions Regarding This Posting Please Contact:

Paul Hengstenberg

Competitive salary: $67288-$95867 Annually

Who We Are:

ODA helps Ohioans in many ways including: supporting agriculture protecting consumers safeguarding plants and animals and conserving natural resources. As a cabinet-level agency we answer to the Governor and we get a lot of stuff done! Ohios food and agriculture industry is huge contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. This success starts on the farm but these arent your great grandpas farms! They may have started way back when but many of Ohios more than 70000 farms are modern state-of-the-art operations that use technology to maximize production to feed our growing population.

ODA is located in Reynoldsburg on a beautiful 158-acre campus. Parking is free and so are the amazing connections you will make with professionals who are known as the best in their field.

What We Do:

At ODA we do a lot that helps a lot of people. Thats a pretty big deal! We make sure the meat and food you eat and the milk you drink is safe. We protect farmland and conserve our soil and water resources. We keep Ohios plants crops and livestock free of pests and disease. We house the states top food safety lab and serve as a hub for a statewide lab safety system. We make sure you get what you pay for through ensuring accurate weights and measures standards. We oversee Ohios fairs and make sure the amusement rides you love are safe. As a member of ODAs family youll be working with a team of the highest caliber doing work that makes a difference to all Ohioans.

The Division of Soil and Water Conservation (DSWC) provides leadership and services that enable Ohioans to conserve protect and enhance soil water and land resources. The DSWC was established beginning January 2016 through a transfer of programs from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of H2Ohio program led by ODA provides funding to producers to help offset the financial risk associated with implementing H2Ohios proven agricultural best management practices (BMPs) that work to improve Ohios water quality. As of 2024 the program is no longer available only to farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Now producers anywhere in the state will be eligible to participate.

At the State of Ohio we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits visit ourTotal Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off including vacation personal sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth Adoption and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds Public Service Loan Forgiveness and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS STRS SERS and HPRS)&Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.