Irrigation Technician

*Employer Description* The Resource Conservation District of Tehama County (RCDTC) is an independent California special district (local government agency) that provides conservation assistance, agriculture and resource education and leadership, on-the-ground project work and technical assistance to landowners and residents in the northern Sacramento Valley.
It is funded entirely by grants and contracts.
*POSITION TITLE:* Seasonal Irrigation Technician *DETAILS:* Work level is planned to be 40 hours per week.
Scheduled to start in late April and continue through September 1st, subject to continued availability and requirements of the associated funding.
Most work hours will be on weekdays from 7 or 8am to 3 or 4pm, although days/times may be variable and somewhat flexible.
Occasional weekends, early mornings or evenings may be required.
Local travel is required within Tehama, Butte, Glenn and Shasta Counties and occasionally to other North State counties.
Travel will usually be in an RCDTC vehicle.
If occasional use of a personal vehicle is required, mileage will be reimbursed at current state or federal approved rates.
*DESCRIPTION:* The RCDTC operates a Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL) primarily in, Tehama, Glenn, Butte and Shasta Counties.
The main goal of the MIL is to assist water users with on-farm water management by providing technical assistance.
Under the direction of the MIL Project Manager, the Technician will conduct on-farm evaluations of irrigation system performance and operation.
System performance will be determined through the collection of field data that will include; pressure and flow testing, field measurements and detailed hardware inspections.
Through the use of computer programs the collected data will be used to determine the distribution uniformity (DU), application rates and estimated run times of each system.
Other potential work duties to include: The RCDTC provides technical assistance to farmers and ranchers in applying for California Department of Food and Agriculture grants through the Healthy Soils and SWEEP programs, requiring invoicing, reporting, and monitoring.
The Irrigation Technician could also be responsible for assisting with varied office, administrative and field duties of the RCDTC and all its programs and projects.
A background, education and interest in irrigation and/or agriculture is highly preferred.
The Irrigation Technician will assist the Project Manager in effectively accomplishing their responsibilities.
The Irrigation Technician reports to the Project Manager and is responsible for assisting in the accomplishment of all of the District's operations consistent with the strategic plan, goals and objectives, and policies and procedures established by the RCDTC Board.
*Primary Duty:* 1) Assist with operation of Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL) program (seasonal fieldwork): * Performing evaluations on agricultural irrigation systems most commonly in orchard settings across the Northern Sacramento Valley (NSV).
* Evaluations are performed in the summer in hot, wet, muddy and humid conditions.
* Collecting irrigation system data includes numerous pressure tests along hose lines and flow tests from sprinklers and/or emitters.
* Assisting in office with compiling multiple sections of each irrigation report consisting of a written summary, graphs, charts and GIS maps.
* Knowledge of agricultural irrigation systems preferred.
* Knowledge of California’s irrigated agriculture preferred.
* Driving a district vehicle to farms (potentially with an intern) to perform unsupervised evaluations.
*Supplemental Duties:* 2) Technical Assistance- Working in the RCDTC Agricultural Department staff to assist growers with CDFA programs: * Working directly with ranchers and farmers providing technical assistance to help them access direct grant funding through CDFA Healthy Soils and SWEEP programs for projects associated with commercial agriculture.
* Administering awarded grants including invoicing, grower correspondence, data entry, data quality control, and other program compliance requirements.
* Provide technical assistance to commercial agricultural farmers and ranchers with the application process and/or administration of approved projects.
* Assisting applicants with project development that includes basic knowledge of agricultural irrigation systems: micro sprinklers, drip lines, pumps, filters, and monitoring equipment.
* Assisting applicants with project development that includes basic knowledge of holistic farming practices (primarily focused on soil health): composting, mulching, cover crops, hedgerows and whole orchard recycling.
* Customer service, phone and email communication, maintaining files and receipts.
3) Public Education and Outreach Activities- Assist the Project Manager and Outreach Coordinator with outreach events: * Assisting with agricultural public events, writing press releases, maintaining media contacts, attending producer stakeholder meetings, etc.
* Assisting with organizing and presenting workshops, preparing newsletters, pamphlets, etc.
* Assist with obtaining community sponsorships for District events.
* Assist with District annual film festival and other public events.
4) Assist with the administration of the watershed coalition program: * Assist with administration of the Shasta Tehama Watershed Education Coalition (STWEC) including invoicing, member correspondence, data entry, data quality control, and other agricultural irrigation compliance requirements * Communicate with and provide customer service to agricultural grower-members regarding compliance requirements and assist with completion of required reporting * Assist with organizing agricultural grower-member Sediment/Erosion control, Nitrogen management and other related workshops * Assist with maintaining a complex member database with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail * Assist with maintaining the Quickbooks portion of the member records * Customer service, phone answering, emailing, maintaining files and reference materials, data entry 5) Grants and Programs - Assist any District staff working on projects with: * Researching, writing and assembling grant proposals for agriculture programs.
* Working directly with irrigators through the MIL program to assist with development of water conservation strategies.
* Implementation of a variety of project duties.
* Expanding the Agriculture Department of the RCDTC and its programs.
* Preparing and assembling reports.
*QUALIFICATIONS:* * Demonstrated and significant ability and experience in performing the above duties, preferably in the agriculture, environmental or natural resources field is required.
* Applicable education and/or level of experience in lieu of formal education.
A degree is not required, but preference is given to associate or bachelor’s degree in ag business, business administration, agriculture, natural resources, or environmental related degree.
* Proficiency in writing and verbal communication skills required.
Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Publisher, Excel and Word, QuickBooks (or similar), email, internet research, and digital file and folder organization required.
Proficiency with Access or other database preferred.
* Familiarity with grants, governmental processes, technical writing, working with various Federal, State and local Agencies is desirable.
* Ability to interact in a professional manner with co-workers, clients, agencies, and the public, and be comfortable engaging with the public in event and meeting settings.
Customer service in an office setting is highly desirable.
* Demonstrated ability to navigate and diffuse conflict while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor.
* Ability to traverse uneven terrain, work outdoors in varying weather with extremes of heat and cold, and lift up to 30 pounds.
Ability to sit in an office setting for a normal workday period.
Ability to bend, stoop, reach above head, and/or kneel to access office areas.
* Valid California driver’s license (Class C), ability to be insured under RCDTC’s automobile insurance policy, and ability to pass a drug screening test.
* Ability to comply with any current Federal, California, OSHA and RCDTC requirements governing Covid or other health issue protocols in the workplace.
The successful candidate will also possess: * A high level of organizational and time management ability and attention to detail and accuracy.
It is absolutely critical that an applicant possess these skills and perform them at an exceptional level for success in this position.
* Extraordinary ability to multi-task, think and act ‘on the fly’, and quickly and easily adapt to ever-changing duties and priorities.
Willingness to learn and try new or unfamiliar duties.
Flexibility is of utmost importance.
* Ability to work under pressure and in the face of adversity.
* Be a self-starter and able to work independently and under one’s own direction.
* Creativity, a sense of humor, and a ‘can do’ spirit will fit well with our casual, drama-free, flexible District culture.
To apply, submit BOTH a cover letter and your resume.
No phone calls or drop-ins please.
Email if you have any additional questions regarding the position.
Position is open until filled.
RCDTC is a public agency that accepts Federal and State grant funding, and thus is a drug-free and smoke-free workplace.
Possession or use of tobacco is not allowed on District premises, vehicles or during District duties.
This funding also subjects the RCDTC to compliance with ever-changing Federal and California requirements addressing Covid.
Drug testing upon hiring will be required.
RCDTC will also conduct a basic background check.
EOE.
Veterans encouraged to apply Job Type: Full-time Pay: $20.
00 - $25.
00 per hour Expected hours: 35 – 40 per week Benefits: * 401(k) 8% Match * Dental insurance * Employee assistance program * Flexible schedule * Health insurance * Life insurance * Paid sick time * Paid time off * Vision insurance Payment frequency: * Paid biweekly Schedule: * 8 hour shift * Monday to Friday Ability to Relocate: * Red Bluff, CA: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: In person