I am incredibly proud of our technical staff. During the 2024–2025 fiscal year, staff from the PACD Engineering Assistance Program (also known as TAG), Conservation Planner Program, and Conservation District Umbrella Program delivered outstanding results.

Engineering Assistance Program employees completed 26 Inventories and Evaluations, 21 surveys, 87 practice design layouts, 125.5 construction quality assurance reviews, and 79 practice checkouts. 

Our certified planners completed 21.5 conservation plans, and all planners are nearing full certification—an impressive accomplishment. Congratulations to the entire team.

In addition, conservation districts participating in the Conservation District Umbrella Program completed 24 conservation plans, 9 inventories and evaluations, 44 surveys, 45 practice design layouts, 55 construction quality assurance reviews, and 79 practice checkouts.

Thanks to our program partners, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the PA Department of Environmental Protection, and the PA State Conservation Commission for funding these valuable programs.

Here’s to continuing this important conservation work into 2026!

Amy Brown
PACD Executive Director

My name is Coleton Kilgore. I graduated from Lock Haven University with an Environmental, Geological, and Geographical science degree. I spent my summer internship at Montour County Conservation District, where I participated in many projects and gained great experience before accepting the conservation technician job with PACD. In my free time I enjoy spending my time outdoors hunting and fishing, as well as spending time with family and friends.

Coleton can be reached at ckilgore@pacd.org.

The Agricultural Conservation Technician for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) provides technical assistance for the Growing Greener program and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). One Conservation Technician will be hired for each of the following locations: Bloomsburg and Lancaster/Lebanon. Also, either an Agricultural Conservation Technician or a Conservation Engineer will be hired in Clarion.

Salary Range for Technician: $40,000 to $45,000. Salary range for Engineer: Commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, 14 paid holidays, and accrued PTO leave.

Click here for the full job descriptions. Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD at jobs@pacd.org. The deadline to apply is November 12, 2024.

On February 9, 2024, PACD Conservation Engineer Danielle L. Kalp, P.E., presented an hour-long seminar. The students who attended the seminar are enrolled in the environmental engineering program at Saint Francis University in Cambria County.

Danielle spoke to the students about agricultural engineering and the diversity of projects she works on.

 

Ian graduated from the University of Pittsburgh–Johnstown in 2021 with a dual major in Environmental Studies and Geography and obtained his GIS certificate. He grew up in Sullivan County and enjoys camping, cooking, fishing, music, and painting. He also has two dogs at home, a Corgi named Max and a Doberman named Sophie. Their hobbies include stealing socks, wrestling, and belly rubs.

As the Conservation Technician for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) in the North East Region, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to the Growing Greener program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

This position will: provide technical assistance to area partnership Growing Greener personnel and the NRCS in the planning, design, and construction of engineering practices; prepare designs of agricultural conservation practices and water quality best management practices (BMPs), which are site-specific and require coordination among various groups and individuals; and provide engineering assistance in conducting preliminary investigations.

Salary Range: $40,000 to $42,000. Benefits include health insurance, a 401k retirement plan, and accrued PTO leave.

Click here for the full job description. Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD at jobs@pacd.org. The deadline to apply is May 30, 2023.

PACD recently hired Brittany Moore as a Conservation Technician in the Lebanon, PA Technical Center. Brittany graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Biology and Animal Science. Brittany has a background in agricultural research and GIS and was the previous Agricultural Program Coordinator at the Schuylkill County Conservation District. In her spare time, Brittany enjoys kayaking, running, and hiking with her dog, Eleanor.

Brittany can be reached at bmoore@pacd.org.

The PACD Engineering Assistance Program, funded through the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Program and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, provides statewide engineering and soils technical assistance to entities developing or implementing a watershed assessment, watershed restoration plan, or watershed protection plan. Program staff are based out of four regional offices covering all Pennsylvania river basins.

PACD’s new Conservation Technician in the Bloomsburg office is Kyle Pierce. Kyle graduated from Lycoming College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics and a minor in Mathematics. He previously worked as a construction laborer for Don E. Bower Inc. Kyle resides in Berwick, PA, with his fiancé Kiersten and their dog, Ashtyn.

The Conservation Technician for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) provides technical assistance to the Growing Greener program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The area covered includes 17 counties in the South Central and South East Region.

This position will: Provide technical assistance to area partnership Growing Greener personnel and NRCS in the planning, design, and construction of engineering practices; prepare designs of agricultural conservation practices and water quality best management practices (BMPs), which are site-specific and require coordination among various groups and individuals; and provide engineering assistance in conducting preliminary investigations.

Click here for the full job description. In addition, candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD at jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. on March 31, 2022.

PACD recently hired Jake Kennedy as a Conservation Technician in the Clarion, PA office. He recently graduated from Waynesburg University with a degree in environmental science. He was previously the AmeriCorps Member at the Armstrong Conservation District. Jake grew up on his family farm in Butler County with two sisters, where he was an active member of 4-H. Jake resides in Kittanning with his girlfriend and their pet Red-Foot Tortoise, Sheldon.

Jake can be reached at jkennedy@pacd.org.