Watershed Stewardship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Buncombe County is hiring for our Stewardship Coordinator position. This individual will report to the Farmland Preservation Manager. The Farmland Preservation Team is a team of 3, within the Ag and Land Resources Department, reporting to the Soil and Water Conservation District Board and Ag Advisory Board and Buncombe County Commissioners. The Ag and Land Resources Department reports administratively to the Buncombe County Manager.

The primary goal of the Farmland Preservation Program is to support farm and forestland owners protect their land from development through permanent conservation easements, Voluntary Agricultural Districts, Enhanced Agricultural Districts, and help farm families plan for the future of their land. The purpose of this position is to provide administrative and field-based stewardship of conservation easements that Buncombe Soil and Water Conservation District holds. This position will work as part of the Farmland Preservation Team and work with many partners and landowners to help protect watershed health, and working farms and forests, for the benefit of current and future generations of people.

This position will start in-person at the Buncombe County Ag and Land Resources Department at 49 Mount Carmel Rd Asheville, NC 28806 . Over time, a hybrid schedule may be allowed depending on how quickly the employee becomes familiar with the role and demonstrates reliability. The candidate chosen for this position will need to be able to start October 19th 2026.

The selected candidate must relocate or reside within a 2-hour drive from 49 Mount Carmel Rd Asheville, NC 28806.

Purpose of the position: The purpose of this position is to provide administrative and field-based stewardship of conservation easements that Buncombe Soil and Water Conservation District holds. This position will work as part of the Farmland Preservation Team and work with many partners and landowners to help protect watershed health, and working farms and forests, for the benefit of current and future generations of people.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Associates degree in natural sciences, natural resources management, environmental studies, land-use planning, or related fields, and two (2) years of related professional or volunteer experience; or equivalent education and experience.

Essential Functions of the Position:

• Conduct annual monitoring of conservation easements, including landowner communications, report preparation, recordkeeping, and follow-up on issues identified through field or aerial inspections. Research potential violations and evaluate landowner requests requiring County approval.

• Create stewardship related reports, such as Annual Monitoring Reports, Baseline Documentation Reports, and Current Conditions Reports.

• Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with conservation easement landowners and connect landowners with additional resources, as requested.

• Coordinates improvements to conservation values on conservation easement properties through agency coordination, landowner communication, and necessary approvals.

• Maintain accurate physical and electronic stewardship records, databases, and GIS records, in accordance with established program protocols.

• Maintain GIS database for conservation easement boundaries, reserved rights areas, natural resources, and ensures updated field and documentation maps are available for all properties.

• Oversee the voluntary agricultural district and enhanced voluntary agricultural district programs.

• Assist with the conservation easement acquisition program, and other stewardship, conservation, special projects, and administrative duties assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of land conservation practices

• Skill in reading and comprehending land surveys and conservation easement documents

• Knowledge of conservation easement stewardship and land preservation principles and practices.

• Strong skills in GIS applications and map development, including experience using ArcGIS Pro.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with landowners, agency representatives, contractors, and other stakeholders.

• Ability to assist landowners in understanding their conservation easement, deliver reserved rights approvals, and handle potentially difficult conversations with landowners regarding conservation easement compliance.

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines

• Excellent attention to detail and planning, organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles, practices, procedures and philosophies of assigned program and community-based services.

• Knowledge of organizational culture and resources, both internal to Buncombe County and in the community

• Knowledge of ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional standards, federal, state, and local laws or ordinances.

• Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies, which govern programs as well as financial streams, which support individual programs.

• Knowledge of the programs and service delivery mechanisms in assigned work areas.

• Ability to collect and analyze data and conduct program and performance reviews/audits.

• Ability to effectively use various complex software applications.

• General knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and planning, an ability to communicate effectively with professional and administrative personnel

• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures.

• Interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.