With four days still left to apply, the Faribault County Soil and Water Conservation District Office in Blue Earth had already received nearly 30 applications for a conservation technician position.

On Tuesday, Michele Stindtman, manager/co-ordinator of the Soil and Water Conservation Dis-trict Office, told county commissioners they’ll start to review applications soon.

Stindtman says she has scanned over them and a ranking process will be used.

“The qualifications we’re seeing are all across-the-board. Most of the applications have been from out of the county,” she says.

Stindtman says interviews probably will begin during the first week of February.

The county board appointed Commissioner Tom Warmka to help in the hiring process.

County Auditor/treasurer John Thompson says Soil and Water received a grant to help fund the position for three years.

“After that, the county board will have to decide if they want to keep the position and fully fund it,” he says.

Depending on qualifications, says Thompson, the person hired will earn an annual salary between$35,000 and $45,000. The county’s portion of that will be $10,000 to $20,000.

While some of the position’s duties are already being performed, Thompson says more work has been added because of the grant.

The conservation technician will help implement the drainage maintenance program through the inspection and inventory of ditches. The person also will assist with the septic and noxious weed programs.

“It will offer us an opportunity to look at innovative ideas and to work with landowners to address issues,” she says.