District Conservation Technicians, or DCTs, work with the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and local government entities called conservation districts, through a unique partnership between local, state, and federal entities. The Cortez NRCS Field Office has three DCTs that work in partnership with the High Desert (HDCD) and Mancos Conservation Districts (MCD), as well as two full-time staff members who began their natural resource careers as DCTs. Careers in natural resource conservation require a wide range of skills, and each unique background – from being a snowboard instructor, to working in a restaurant, to doing ranch work – offers strength to the team.