• Working cooperatively with private landowners and stakeholders to encourage wise stewardship and land-management decisions.
• Providing locally-led, voluntary, non-regulatory solutions to local environmental problems.
• Advocating for high-priority resource concerns facing Okanogan County.
• Educating adults and youth on environmental and natural resources issues in our community.

• Delivering existing lesson plans on priority natural resource topics in collaboration with local educators.
• Assisting with the coordination and implementation of eight local school gardens
• Developing new educational lesson plans based upon feedback from educators, students, and district priorities.
• Assisting with the coordination and implementation of the Ecology of the Okanogan class

Typical Work

Minimum Qualifications
We are seeking a candidate that best meets the following list of knowledge and skills. We encourage those who possess many, but not all, of these skills and knowledge to apply for the position.

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, education, communication, or closely related fields. Experience may be substituted year for year for education.
• Experience leading science and natural resource education programs for preK-12th grade youth.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing weather conditions, group sizes, physical limitations, language barriers, behavioral issues, and varied levels of knowledge and experience while teaching.
• Self-starter with a strong work ethic, innovative, and capable of working independently, efficiently, and ethically. Ability to organize and plan own schedule of activities related to work goals and objectives. Prompt communication.
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to form relationships and work collaboratively with teachers, school administrators, and local and statewide partners.
• Ability to use a range of audio-visual equipment to effectively deliver presentations and convey conservation messages.
• Willingness to take direction from and able to support colleagues and partner agencies with projects.
• Must have no convictions related to crimes against minor children or at-risk persons.
• Physically able to perform the tasks of the job in the field by traversing uneven ground in varied weather conditions and occasionally carrying heavy loads of equipment and/or materials in excess of fifty (50) pounds.
• Have or obtain and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License and be able to safely operate a motor vehicle.

• Three or more years of work experience in conservation education, general education, natural resource management, public relations, or similar field.
• Understanding of Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core ELA.
• Knowledge of a broad range of soil, water, plant, and wildlife conservation principles, techniques, methods, and practices to apply and install conservation systems, which involve complex and diverse agricultural and other land uses.
• English/Spanish bilingual abilities

Compensation
This position’s hourly compensation range is $23.66 – $31.03 (Range 50). This position is eligible for sick and vacation leave, medical insurance including vision, and retirement benefits as outlined in the employee appointment letter and per district policies. Terms of compensation and benefits are set by the position appointment letter and may be amended at any time by the Board of Supervisors.

Service Area

Okanogan County is for the adventurous! Our region is well-known for superb recreational opportunities and activities for every season, owing in part to an abundance of public land, rivers and lakes, and more. Fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, and horseback riding are just a few sports enjoyed by locals and visitors. Our scenic highways will take you from the snow-capped mountains of the North Cascades to the open spaces of river valleys along the Okanogan, Methow, Similkameen, and Columbia rivers. There is something for everyone in Okanogan County.

Residents of Okanogan County maintain an independent spirit and a sense of community pride. Our county was named one of the best counties in Washington state to raise a family in 2022 by Stacker.com. Top places to live, according to Stacker, include Okanogan, Omak, and Winthrop.

Exploring Okanogan’s history is a favorite past time for many. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation boundaries lie within Okanogan County and the area is rich with cultural significance for our first people. Early European settlers came to Okanogan during the 1800s to establish cattle and sheep ranching, and to mine for gold. Several ghost towns and mining operations from the early days still stand. Today, Okanogan County’s economic base is largely agricultural supported by apple, pear and stone fruit orchards. Cattle ranching remains the dominant livestock industry and family-owned ranches can be found throughout the county.

Okanogan County’s people, places, history, and industry are among the most charming and unique in Washington state.

Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and three references (at least two of which are professional) online at:

https://tinyurl.com/yhc2ta9x

Or by mail to:

Okanogan Conservation District

1251 2 nd Ave. South, Room 102

Okanogan, WA 98840