Employee Career Development Program
Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) face challenges in providing consistent and comprehensive training for new employees. Often, new hires step into roles without sufficient training or succession materials, causing disruptions in workflow and leading to higher turnover rates.
This program aims to address these issues by offering structured, meaningful training to ensure smoother transitions and greater staff retention. Additionally, it fosters cross-training among employees in multi-staff offices, helping team members understand each role’s responsibilities. This broader perspective promotes improved communication, management, and budgeting for the districts.
Networking and peer learning are also integral to the program, creating opportunities for staff to collaborate and grow professionally in a supportive environment. IDEA’s goal is to equip SWCD employees with the skills and knowledge needed to ensure minimal disruption to district operations, while fostering a more cohesive and informed workforce.
This program aims to address these issues by offering structured, meaningful training to ensure smoother transitions and greater staff retention. Additionally, it fosters cross-training among employees in multi-staff offices, helping team members understand each role’s responsibilities. This broader perspective promotes improved communication, management, and budgeting for the districts.
Networking and peer learning are also integral to the program, creating opportunities for staff to collaborate and grow professionally in a supportive environment. IDEA’s goal is to equip SWCD employees with the skills and knowledge needed to ensure minimal disruption to district operations, while fostering a more cohesive and informed workforce.
2024 participants:
- Misty Sorchevich - St. Joseph
- Mega Malott - Fulton
- Leah Walthery - Cass
- Autumn Knebel - Jasper
- Tonya Williams - Scott
- Maria Fisher - Jackson
- Amity Traylor - Pike
- Amber Stevens - Daviess
- Tammy Bingham - Owen
- Lisa MacPhee - Morgan
- Taylor Suman - Jay
- Deb Worster - Blackford
- Mikayla Reel - Hamilton
- Jennifer Brown - Wayne
- Ashlee Zins - Franklin
- Kylie Wheeler - ISDA, DSS
- Becca McClellan - Jennings
IDEA Member Directory
A full-color member directory was created in September 2024. Check out the folks making a difference in conservation in Indiana!
"Great teams are made up of individuals who believe in something bigger than themselves, and together they make a difference in the world." – Unknown
2019 Fall Conference @ Clifty Falls
Thank you South-Southeast Region for Hosting
Thank you South-Southeast Region for Hosting
2018 Fall Conference @ Lake Monroe
Thank you North-Southwest for Hosting
2017 Fall Conference @ West Lafayette
Thank you South-Northwest for Hosting
Thank you South-Northwest for Hosting