Roadside Manager-Vegetation Specialist

Buena Vista County Conservation Board

~Roadside Manager-Vegetation Specialist~

POSITION: Permanent Full-Time Roadside Manager-Vegetation Specialist position, under the direct supervision of the Director of Buena Vista County Conservation Board, Peterson, IA.

SUMMARY: The Roadside Manager-Vegetation Specialist shall administer, develop, plan, and conduct a program of vegetative management that seeks to control unwanted vegetation and promote desirable vegetation within Buena Vista County Rights-Of-Ways (ROW’s) and Buena Vista County Conservation Board (BVCCB) managed areas, address Section 317 of the Code of Iowa the “Noxious Weed Law”, the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM) Manual, and address the provisions of Section 314 of the Code of Iowa.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs a wide variety of professional, technical, and field duties.

These duties include all aspects of managing roadside vegetation and BVCCB vegetation/wildlife programs, including but not limited to:

1.     Noxious and non-noxious herbaceous vegetation control (Chemical, Mechanical, Biological)

2.     Management of woody vegetation in ROW’s and BVCCB Area’s (Chemical and Mechanical)

3.     Seeding of ROW’s and BVCCB area’s (Hydroseeding, Drill, Broadcast)

4.     Mowing of ROW’s and BVCCB Wildlife area’s

5.     Habitat restoration and management (Prairies, ROW’s, Woodlands, Wetlands)

6.     On-going maintenance of existing and future plantings.

7.     Operation, maintenance, and repairs of all agency equipment (tractor, vehicles, utv’s, chainsaws)

8.     Maintaining records (Chemical, daily work logs, equipment, etc.)

9.     Writing IRVM and other grants

10.  Assist in the investigation and addressing noxious weed complaints

11.  Assist in the planning and conducting of prescribed burns on ROW and BVCCB area’s

12.  Effective communication with the County Engineer’s office, Conservation Board, and the Public.

13.  Compile monthly and annual work activity reports for tasks completed

14.  Assist to the best of your ability the enforcement of all local, state, and federal laws pertaining to the operation of roadside vegetation management within Buena Vista County.

15.  Assist with development and presentation of educational materials related to Roadside and BVCCB programs

16.  Assist with inventory and data collection for prairie remnants, noxious weed areas and woody vegetation encroachment sites.

17.  Organize and create management maps using GIS software.

18.  Assist with production, harvest and processing of native prairie plant seeds for use in Roadsides and BVCCB areas.

19.  Train and supervise seasonal and temporary employees

20.  Attend and engages in state and regional conferences relating to the field as directed

21.  Aside from roadside duties this individual may be assigned to work on other conservation properties and projects.

22.  The position may be appointed the County Weed Commissioner.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1.     Ability to identify native trees, prairie plants, introduced and weed species.

2.     Thorough working knowledge of prairie grass, forb, cover crop and cool season seed planting and care

3.     Knowledge of prescribed fire and using fire to meet habitat management goals and objectives.

4.     Thorough working knowledge of chemicals and their application rates.

5.     Knowledge of erosion control techniques.

6.     Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.

7.     Ability to plan and prioritize work in an efficient manner.

8.     Ability to work with minimal direct supervision

9.     Ability to routinely work at remote/satellite work stations and locations

10.  Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

11.  Ability to plan work, think conceptually, analyze data, observe and evaluate, and make sound decisions and recommendations

12.  Ability to apply knowledge and common sense to achieve work objectives.

13.  Ability to adapt to a variety of job situations involving non-standard work hours and occasional weekends.

14.  Knowledge of personal computer programs including Word and Excel for word processing and data management.

15.  Ability to safely operate any equipment owned by BVCCB and ability to operate non-agency owned, job specific equipment, to achieve work objectives.

16.  Ability to be insurable for driving under county insurance company policies

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Graduated from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s Degree and at least two (2)  years of experience in roadside management, natural resource management, wildlife, forestry, prescribed fire, agriculture, fisheries, or a related field of study or a Bachelor’s Degree in wildlife biology, ecology, forestry, agriculture or closely related subjects and at least one (1) years of experience in roadside management, natural resource management, wildlife, forestry, prescribed fire, agriculture, fisheries, or a related field of study; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must possess or the ability to obtain an Iowa Commercial Pesticide License in category 6 and 1A, S130/S190 Wildland Firefighting Certification, CPR/First Aid, and a Class A CDL with combination and air-brake endorsement.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to routinely talk, hear; use hands to finger, grasp, handle or feel; push or pull and reach with hands and arms; stand, walk, reach, sit, kneel, stoop, balance, climb, and routinely lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing 50-100 pounds for extended periods of time. Ability to operate various types of vehicles, tools, machinery and equipment including but not limited to; tractors, mowers, chainsaws, pickups, straight trucks, trailers, skid loaders, tree planters, prescribed fire equipment, hand tools, seeders, and chemical spray equipment. Ability to work outdoors in extreme hot, cold, rainy, snowy, and windy weather conditions and be exposed to chemicals, allergens, insects, dust, fumes, smoke, and loud noises. Normal hours of operation Mon. - Fri., 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. but is subject to change routinely based on weather conditions needed to accomplish work objectives.

Wage and Benefits: Starting wage is $17.50/hour with a $.50/hour increase every six months for two years, then standard county increases. Standard county benefits include paid single health insurance, competitive family insurance, vision, dental, IPERS, sick leave, and paid holidays.

Applicant will be subject to post offer, pre-employment drug and physical testing.

TO APPLY: Resume, cover letter, and standard county application are required.

Applications and full job description is available online at www.bvcountyiowa.com or at the BVCCB Office.

SUBMIT APPLICATION PACKET TO:

Director

Buena Vista County Conservation Board

377 440^th Street

Peterson, Iowa 51047

Or email to bvcc@webbwireless.net

DEADLINE: Must be received by April 21^st, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.

Buena Vista County is an equal opportunity employer.

Job description reviewed and approved by the Buena Vista County Conservation Board on 02/17/17