Conservation Planner

Salary: $34.00 Hourly
Location : Tishomingo, OK, OK
Job Type: Part-Time Staff
Job Number: 202500113
Division: Agriculture, Business, Occupational Technology
Department: Agriculture
Opening Date: 09/11/2026


Overview:
Murray State College is a small, open-door community college that provides personal growth and professional success opportunities to students of all educational backgrounds. Employees at MSC will flourish in a family-like environment that offers collegiate support and opportunities for advancement.
Located in the heart of the Chickasaw Nation, MSC's service area comprises small towns with a low cost of living and numerous natural attractions which offer fishing, hiking, and camping. Conveniently located within a two-hour drive of Dallas and Oklahoma City, MSC offers the best of both worlds: small-town life with access to big-city offerings.
Description
General Description/Primary Purpose: Murray State College is seeking a Conservation Planner to support implementation of the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Grant Program. The Conservation Planner will provide technical assistance, conservation planning, producer education, and program coordination for native pecan producers located within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation.

Classification: Part-Time, Grant Funded
Salary: Contractual pay at a rate of $34.00 per hour for up to 425 hours/year*
Appointment: 12-month appointment, renewable annually*
Description of Duties and Tasks:

The position will work directly with area native pecan producers to identify and implement appropriate conservation practices that improve soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, orchard productivity, and long-term sustainability of native pecan production. The Conservation Planner will also assist producers participating in the Native Pecan Verification Incentive Program, helping producers document conservation practices and meet program requirements necessary to qualify for verification and associated market or financial incentives.

This position will serve as a key liaison among Murray State College, participating producers, conservation agencies, tribal partners, agricultural organizations, and other stakeholders involved in the AMP program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Conservation Planning

1. Conduct on-site visits with participating native pecan producers to evaluate existing production systems and conservation needs.
2. Develop individualized conservation plans appropriate for native pecan production operations.
3. Identify conservation opportunities related to soil health, erosion control, water management, nutrient management, integrated pest management, grazing or livestock interactions, and wildlife habitat.
4. Assist producers in prioritizing and implementing practical, economically feasible conservation practices.
5. Provide technical assistance and educational resources related to sustainable native pecan management.
6. Coordinate, when appropriate, with local, state, federal, and tribal conservation professionals and programs.
7. Monitor implementation of conservation practices and document producer progress.

Native Pecan Verification Incentive Program

1. Serve as a primary point of contact for producers participating in the Native Pecan Verification Incentive Program.
2. Educate producers regarding program eligibility, verification requirements, conservation standards, documentation, and timelines.
3. Conduct producer assessments and field visits to verify implementation of eligible conservation practices.
4. Assist producers with maintaining required records, photographs, maps, management plans, and other verification documentation.
5. Review producer documentation for completeness and compliance with program requirements.
6. Coordinate verification activities with AMP program personnel and appropriate partner organizations.
7. Maintain accurate records of participating producers and their conservation accomplishments.
8. Assist in preparing documentation necessary for incentive payments, program reporting, audits, and grant compliance.

Producer Outreach and Technical Assistance

1. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with native pecan producers throughout the program service area.
2. Conduct individual consultations, producer meetings, workshops, field days, and demonstrations.
3. Provide practical information on conservation practices applicable to native pecan production.
4. Assist producers in evaluating the economic and environmental benefits of conservation practices.
5. Help producers identify additional technical and financial assistance opportunities.
6. Encourage producer participation in conservation programs and market-based conservation initiatives.

Grant Program Support

1. Assist the AMP program team in meeting grant goals, objectives, milestones, and deliverables.
2. Collect and maintain producer participation and conservation practice data.
3. Prepare periodic progress reports, success stories, producer summaries, and other grant documentation.
4. Maintain documentation in accordance with Murray State College and Chickasaw Nation grant requirements.
5. Assist with tracking conservation practice implementation and producer incentive participation.
6. Support program evaluation and collection of outcome measures.
7. Participate in grant meetings, stakeholder meetings, and program planning activities.
8. Assist with development of educational materials and outreach resources.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

1. Coordinate with conservation districts, USDA conservation programs, Oklahoma agricultural organizations, Extension personnel, producer associations, and other relevant partners.
2. Represent Murray State College and the AMP program at agricultural meetings, workshops, field days, conferences, and community events.
3. Promote collaboration among producers, conservation professionals, researchers, educators, and market partners.

Data Management and Reporting

1. Maintain confidential and accurate producer records.
2. Utilize mapping, geographic information systems (GIS), spreadsheets, databases, and other appropriate technologies to document conservation activities.
3. Maintain maps and field records associated with participating native pecan operations.
4. Track producer enrollment, conservation plans, practice implementation, verification status, and incentive eligibility.
5. Prepare accurate reports for program leadership and grant administrators.
6. Ensure records are maintained in accordance with applicable grant, institutional, and partner requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Knowledge of agricultural production and natural resource conservation.
• Ability to translate technical conservation concepts into practical recommendations for producers.
• Understanding of the relationship between conservation practices, agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship, and market opportunities.
• Ability to establish trust and maintain effective working relationships with producers.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate program records.
• Ability to independently organize field schedules, producer visits, and program activities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable software.
• Ability to learn and utilize program-specific databases, mapping systems, and verification platforms.
• Ability to analyze field conditions and develop appropriate conservation recommendations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse agricultural, tribal, educational, governmental, and community stakeholders.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to conduct field assessments and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to work effectively with agricultural producers and community stakeholders.Ability to travel throughout the AMP program service area (Chickasaw Nation tribal boundaries).

Working Conditions

The position will involve a combination of office, field, and community-based work. Field responsibilities will include travel to native pecan orchards and agricultural operations, walking uneven terrain, conducting site assessments, collecting field information, and working outdoors in variable weather conditions.

Regular regional travel will be required to serve participating producers within the AMP program area. Occasional evening and weekend work may be necessary for producer meetings, workshops, field days, conferences, and other program activities.
Hours:

Hours will vary depending on the availability of cooperating producers and MSC and Chickasaw Nation staff. This position requires the submission of a weekly timesheet to document the hours worked.


* Funding and Employment Conditions:
This position is funded through the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Grant Program and is contingent upon the availability and continuation of grant funding. The position is temporary and does not constitute permanent employment with Murray State College.

Employment may be terminated at any time, subject to applicable Murray State College policies, grant requirements, and applicable federal and state law. Continuation of employment is dependent upon the continued availability of grant funds, satisfactory job performance, program needs, and compliance with the terms and conditions of the AMP grant.

Murray State College reserves the right to modify, reduce, or eliminate the position and its associated duties based upon changes in grant funding, program priorities, institutional needs, or other applicable circumstances. Nothing in this job description shall be construed as creating a contract or guarantee of continued employment.

The employee will be expected to comply with all applicable Murray State College policies and procedures, as well as the requirements and reporting obligations associated with the AMP grant.
Qualification Standards:

1. Minimum Educational Qualifications:
   
   1. Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Soil Science, Forestry, Horticulture, Agricultural Education, or a closely related field.
   2. Knowledge of agricultural conservation principles and sustainable production practices.
2. Preferred Experience:
   
   1. Graduate level coursework in Agriculture, Agronomy, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Soil Science, Forestry, Horticulture, Agricultural Education, or a closely related field.
   2. Experience with native pecan production, orchard management, agroforestry, or specialty crop production.
   3. Experience developing or implementing conservation plans.
   4. Knowledge of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation practices and programs.
   5. Experience with soil health, water conservation, nutrient management, wildlife habitat, or regenerative agriculture.
   6. Experience working with tribal governments, tribal producers, or agricultural programs within tribal jurisdictions.
   7. Experience with producer incentive, verification, certification, or market-development programs.
   8. Familiarity with GIS, GPS, digital mapping, and agricultural data-management systems.
   9. Experience with grant-funded agricultural or conservation programs.
3. Drivers License: The successful applicant must have a valid drivers license.
4. Professionalism: Members of the Murray State College staff are expected to show professional competence, integrity, and enthusiasm in the performance of all responsibilities.
5. Image: Murray State College employees are expected to maintain a neat, well-groomed, and professional image at all times while performing their responsibilities.
6. Background Check: The successful candidate must give permission to have a formal background check conducted and employment is contingent upon the results of the national criminal and sex offender background check

This position is not eligible for benefits.