Scott SWCD is currently seeking a Soil & Water Conservation Technician to provide technical support in promoting state, federal, and local conservation programs. This position is a temporary 780 labor hours arrangement that expires June 30th, 2027 with potential for re-hire. The position is employed and supervised by the IA Dept of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) but works closely with the local Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) field staff and other agency partners.

DUTIES:
Under the direct supervision of professionals, this employee will complete the technical design and layout of conservation practices according to the State of Iowa and/or NRCS standards and specifications. Develops conservation plans and identifies practices that protect, conserve, and enhance natural resources.
•Display a strong grasp of state and federal conservation programs and explain the technical and financial options available to landowners.
•Advise landowners on practices that address the natural resource concerns on their land.
•Support conservation planners by collecting data and utilizing tools/equipment from the field office.
•Schedule field visits, completes on-site inspections and preliminary surveys, and cost estimates.
•Complete layout, design, and checkout of practices using survey equipment & computer programs.
•Oversee contractor construction and inspects completed practices for compliance.
•Review conservation and construction plans with landowners, staff, and contractors.
•Provide courteous, impartial service to all landowners, operators, and contractors.
•Maintain good working relationships with co-workers promoting a high level of productivity.
•Attend required state and federal meetings and completes required training.

QUALIFICATIONS:
•Strong background in agriculture and conservation.
•Strong interpersonal skills and proficient written & verbal communicator.
•Computer experience
•Be able to work independently with minimal supervision, display high standard of ethical conduct.
•Ability to walk over slippery, wet, or uneven terrain.
•Valid driver’s license is required.

Salary range is $18-$25/hr, commensurate on experience.

Please submit cover letter and resume to the office or by email:
Rowan.Kuechenmeister@ia.nacdnet.net
8370 Hillandale Rd
Davenport, IA 52806
(563) 391-1403 x 3

IDALS and Scott SWCD are equal opportunity employers, providers, and lenders.

The Cedar county SWCD is hosting a Stream Corridor Management field day on Thursday, June 4th from 3:30-4:00pm. It will be located at 418 E Main Street, West Branch, IA.

RSVP by Thursday, May 28th to marcy8021@yahoo.com or call 563-886-6214 ext 3 and leave a message. See the following flyer for more details.

Join Partners of Scott County Watersheds on Tuesday, May 19th from 12-1pm for Augustana College’s Upper Mississippi Center Faculty to present on the Analysis of Microplastics in Urban, Natural & Agricultural Watersheds.

Learn more through their webpage https://partnersofscottcountywatersheds.org/event/spring-2026-conservation-quarterly-%f0%9f%92%a6/

The Scott County NRCS office, in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa and additional sponsors, is hosting a Soil Health & Cover Crop field day on Thursday, March 26th, 2026 from 10am – 12pm, followed by a complimentary lunch. It will be located at 21559 240th St, Eldridge, IA 52748 and feature NRCS Area Resources Soil Scientist + 6th Generation Farmer Jason Steele and Area Soil Health Specialist + 5th Generation Farmer J.D. Hollingsworth as presenters. The field day will be partially indoors and partially outdoors.

The event is free, but please RSVP by 4pm on March 19th (563-391-1403 ext 3, kristen.fenderson@uadsa.gov) to help ensure accurate numbers for catering. For reasonable accommodations, please contact Kristen Fenderson at 563-391-1403 ext 3.

USDA and IDALS are equal opportunity providers, employers, and lenders.

Iowa Learning Farms (ILF), in partnership with C-CHANGE: Grass2Gas, will host a virtual field day on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. CT. The event, which is available at no cost, will feature a live discussion with Carl Kurtz, a professional writer, teacher, naturalist, and photographer with over 50 years of prairie establishment and management experience.

This field day aims to assist farmers, landowners, and conservation professionals with establishing and maintaining prairie perennial vegetation. These areas offer many benefits, including: pollinator habitat, reducing soil erosion from sensitive areas, building soil health, improving wildlife, providing beauty to the landscape, and serving as biomass feedstock for the production of renewable natural gas.

Any person interested in establishing and managing a prairie is welcome to attend the virtual field day. Participants are also encouraged to bring any questions they would like to ask.

To participate in the live virtual field day, visit Iowa Learning Farms Field Days – Exploring Prairie Establishment and Management With Carl Kurtz, or join from a dial-in phone line (Dial: 646-876-9923 or 646-931-3860, Meeting ID: 914 1198 4892). The field day will be recorded and archived on the ILF Virtual Field Day Archive for future viewing.

Iowa Learning Farms will also be hosting the following virtual field days:

Thursday, February 26th 1:00pm CT Iowa Learning Farms Field Days – Forestry On Tap: Microbiome, Local Wood Resources and Bioreactors

Thursday, March 12th 1:00pm CT Iowa Learning Farms Field Days – Evaluating Manure Application and Cover Crop Planting Timing to Maximize Water Quality Benefits in Corn

Thursday, March 26th 1:00pm CT Iowa Learning Farms Field Days – Co-benefits and Possible Unintended Consequences of Restoring Wetlands for Nutrient Reduction