AG LAND & WATER RESOURCE SPEC I - NR/LAND AND WATER - RESOURCES MANAGEMENT-KNOX CO.
Springfield, IL, US, 62702
Job Requisition ID: 57590
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 08/05/2026
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Class Title: AG LAND & WATER RESOURCE SPEC I (00831)
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $5127 a month; Full Range $5127- $7135 a month
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Knox; Bureau; Fulton; Hancock; Henderson; Henry; Mason; McDonough; Peoria; Rock Island; Schuyler; Stark; Tazewell; Warren; Whiteside; Woodford
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
This position serves in a regional capacity. Persons serving in this role are required to assume residency in one of the Counties identified under the Conditions of Employment section which includes Knox, Whiteside, Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Henderson, Warren, Stark, Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Peoria, Woodford, Tazewell, Schuyler, or Mason counties, and will be required to work from their home location as a base of daily operational headquarters to service their designated worksites.
This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.
All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.
Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.
Why Work for Illinois?
Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.
No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.
Position Overview
The Bureau of Land and Water Resources is looking to hire a Land and Water Resource Specialist I to bring exceptional conservation and technical knowledge, assist in budget allocation tracking and execute efficient operational support. This position will support the Bureau Chief, bureau personnel and the state’s soil and water conservation districts. The Land and Water Resource Specialist I role offers an opportunity to become a trusted partner and colleague to the bureau, other state agencies and private partners. The ideal candidate will be highly organized and enjoy working on multiple projects and engaging the public on all aspects of conservation. This candidate will work in conjunction with Illinois' Soil and Water I Conservation Districts to help develop and administer programs that provide financial, technical and educational assistance.
Essential Functions
- Under direct supervision, receives and completes assignments of limited scope assisting in the Illinois Department of Agriculture's administration of the soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) programs.
- Gains knowledge of the different activities associated with SWCDs and assists in the development of SWCD long-range programs and annual work plans.
- Travels to establish and maintain active and continuing public relations with representatives of state agencies, federal agencies, municipalities, county government, schools and industries to gain their cooperation in planning long-range natural resource programs.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with course work in agriculture, natural resource management, conservation, agricultural economics, land use planning, geography, public/business administration and rural sociology.
- Work-related experience such as local SWCD technician or natural Resource Conservation Service Technician may be substitutable for college coursework on a year-for-year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefers elementary knowledge of the organizational structure and functions of SWCDs.
- Prefers elementary knowledge of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act.
- Prefers elementary knowledge of Natural Resource Conservation Service’s conservation practice standards.
- Prefers elementary knowledge of soil testing, soil typing, fertilization and adaptable crop and pasture plants.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires ability to pass a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
- Requires the ability to successfully pass a preemployment physical.
- Require the ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
- Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
- This position is considered light work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(b)). Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. This job may require a good deal of walking or standing or involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls.
- Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
- Requires residency in one of the following counties: Knox, Whiteside, Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Henderson, Warren, Stark, Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Peoria, Woodford, Tazewell, Schuyler, or Mason counties.
Work Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday
Headquarter Location: 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62702
Work County: Knox
Agency Contact: Bureau of Human Resources
Email: AGR.HumanResources@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-785-5099
Posting Group: Environmental & Natural Resources
The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers an annual budget of approximately $200 million and employs more than 400 people statewide, with several hundred more seasonal employees hired during the summer to support the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair. Separate bureaus administer programs and services directed at conserving the State's land and water resources; protecting the health and welfare of livestock and companion animals; overseeing state and county fairs; regulating seed, feed, and fertilizer products; ensuring the financial stability of grain dealers and warehouses; promoting Illinois food and agricultural products; and operating the State's horse racing programs.
AGR values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.
AGR offers a robust benefit package including;
- Monday-Friday work schedule
- Flexible work schedules in many program areas
- Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
- 12 Weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
- Pension Plan
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
- Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually
- Ten to twenty-five (10-25) paid vacation days based on years of service
- Employees earn three (3) paid personal days pro-rated based on start date
- Thirteen - Fourteen (13-14) paid state holidays annually
For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx
This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
- systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
Nearest Major Market: Springfield