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.

Position Title:  Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant

Number of Positions Available:  1

Salary Range:  $20-22/hour

Location:  5925 Stevenson Ave., Suite A, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Duties:

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) supports Pennsylvania’s conservation districts so they can conserve natural resources for our future. The PACD Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant is responsible for bookkeeping and clerical duties and provides general program support for the office. This is a part-time position reporting to the Executive Director.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

A qualified candidate should have the following:

• Working knowledge of bookkeeping using QuickBooks, including entering payroll and reconciling accounts.
• Ability to play a critical role in the office’s day-to-day operation, including answering phones, processing mail, and ordering supplies.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail to assist with a variety of programs on an on-going basis.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office Suite.

Education:

Applicant must, at a minimum, have completed high school.

Work Schedule:

This position is part-time, 20-25 hours per week. Hours are somewhat flexible. Occasional travel is required.

Benefits:

Benefits include a 401k retirement plan, nine paid holidays, and accrued PTO leave. Relocation expenses will not be provided.

How to Apply:

Candidates must submit a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references to PACD:

Please apply by e-mail with the subject heading “Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant” to jobs@pacd.org.

Deadline for Application: 

All application materials must be received by 4:30 pm EDT on August 19, 2022.

 

On July 20-21, 2022, PACD and the State Conservation Commission (SCC) held the first in-person, joint conference since 2019. There were over 90 participants. During the meeting, the following business took place:

– The three-year proposed dues schedule passed.

– The following slate of officers was re-elected:

• President – Kelly Stagen, Pike County Conservation District
• 1st Vice President, Dennis Beck, Cambria County Conservation District
• 2nd Vice President, Emil Bove, Westmoreland Conservation District
• Secretary, Charles Duritsa, Westmoreland Conservation District
• Treasurer, Sonia Wasco, Lancaster County Conservation District
• NACD Director, Clifford Lane, McKean County Conservation District

– The budget for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 was approved.

PACD award recipients and PA Poster Contest Winners were announced during the meeting, and board and partner reports were given.

 

Pennsylvania’s County Conservation Districts thank the Pennsylvania legislature for supporting conservation districts in the state budget.

Pennsylvania Conservation Districts assist landowners through technical assistance, permit reviews, site inspections, and education in a safe, efficient, and effective manner. The goal of conservation districts is to protect our natural resources, keep food on tables, and ensure public safety. 

Through the efforts of the PA General Assembly, the “Transfer to the Conservation District” lines in the 2022-2023 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture budgets were collectively increased by $6.8 million. 

“The conservation districts play an important role in protecting the Commonwealth’s resources. By including an increase in the state budget for conservation districts, the

Pennsylvania General Assembly is investing in the conservation district mission of clean water and healthy soil for all Pennsylvanians,” said Brenda Shambaugh, PACD Executive Director.

As a result of the legislator’s actions, conservation districts will continue to review permits, assist farmers, assist municipalities in preparing to fix low-volume roads and dirt and gravel roads throughout the state and help control mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus and Zika Virus.  

 

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. 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 July 21, 2022.

The first bi-monthly National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Northeast Region Lunch & Learn was held on June 21, 2022. The host and presenters were Brenda Shambaugh, PACD Executive Director, and Cliff Lane, PACD North West Region Director and NACD Director. Brenda and Cliff presented “What PACD Can Do For You.” The topics included training and development.

Click here to watch the webinar.

Connie Zimmerman is the new Administrative and Program Assistant for our Harrisburg Office. She has worn “many hats” over the years, working in state government and private industry. A Harrisburg native, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from Penn State (Go Lions!).

In her free time, she enjoys music, dancing, gardening, and doting on her 4-legged sidekick, Petey. Her downtime also includes spending time with her nephews and niece. Connie said, “I look forward to working with the PACD team!”

PACD will hold our summer committee meetings via video conference in July prior to the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference. The meetings are open to conservation district directors, associate directors, and staff, as well as partner agency staff and invited guests. Registration for the virtual committee meetings will be free and required. Mark your calendars and look for more information in a future edition of Front Page!

PACD Conservation Committee Video Conference
July 6, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD District Employees Committee Video Conference
July 8, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Education and Outreach Committee Video Conference
July 11, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Legislative Committee Video Conference
July 12, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Ways and Means Committee Video Conference
July 14, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PACD Operations Committee Video Conference
July 15, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Recognized by both the Pennsylvania State House and Senate, April 10-16, 2022, will be “Conservation District Week.” During this week, district offices will hold in-person and virtual meetings with legislators.

Conservation district resources are available here. 

Resources include:

• Press Release
• Fact Sheet (Word) 
• Template Letter to Legislators (Word) 
• Follow-up Thank You Letter (Word) 
• Template Proclamation (Word) 
• Social Media Images 

Please take advantage of these resources PACD created for conservation districts to use.

Close to 4,000 township officials and guests from all over Pennsylvania will attend the annual Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference and Trade Show, April 24-27, 2022. Once again, there will be a conservation district booth at the show from Sunday, April 24, through Tuesday, April 26.

Please consider volunteering for a morning or afternoon shift at the conservation district booth. This is a valuable opportunity to promote the districts, explain the type of work they do, and reinforce existing relationships with local township officials.

We are currently seeking volunteers for the following shifts:

• Sunday, April 24:  Noon – 5:00 p.m.
• Monday, April 25:  Noon – 4:00 p.m. (2nd shift)
• Tuesday, April 26:  7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

To volunteer, please contact Diane Young with PACD at dyoung@pacd.org.