Seasonal Conservation Technician

SUMMARY:
The Seasonal Conservation Technician is a seasonal (six months or less), up to full time (up to 40 hours per week) position. The person in this position is responsible for assisting maintenance staff with management and maintenance of parks, trails, natural areas, and various public facilities throughout the county. Under the direction of the department’s Operations Supervisor, the person in this position performs vegetation control using chainsaws, string trimmers, and various tractors and implements as well as construction work, equipment and facility maintenance and repairs, and various programs related to the operation and maintenance of county lands and facilities.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have no major criminal convictions, be insurable under the county’s insurance policy, and must be able to get to and from the primary work site at Big Hollow Recreation Area near Sperry, IA. A current valid driver’s license is required. Must be able to follow written and oral instructions, work without direct supervision, and work outdoors in all weather conditions. Hours of work are generally between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM Monday through Friday though some weekend work is occasionally required.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Job duties will be primarily maintenance-oriented and will include, but are not limited to, vegetation control, tree cutting and bucking, splitting firewood, park and campground maintenance and upkeep including cleaning restrooms and fire rings, picking up trash, repairing/constructing various park structures, equipment maintenance, trail maintenance/creation including surface grading and brush trimming, and wildlife habitat management such as prescribed burning, timber stand improvement, and invasive species control. The Seasonal Conservation Technician will also report/repair safety hazards, offer assistance and information to the public, maintain working relationships with other employees and the public, and perform other tasks as assigned. Work will involve, but is not limited to the operation of tractors, skid loaders, trucks, chainsaws, brush mowers, string trimmers, and various hand and power tools.

Examples of some typical tasks for which the Seasonal Conservation Technician may perform:

• Checking on and cleaning parks (restrooms, fire rings, campsites, cabin, etc.)
• Posting park reservations
• Mowing (with tractor & brush mower) & string-trimming
• Filling, raking and grading washouts on trails
• Cutting brush & downed limbs/trees in parks and on trails
• Splitting firewood
• Assisting maintenance staff with park facility construction & improvement projects
• Changing oil in & detailing trucks, tractors and other equipment
• Assisting with prescribed fires and wildlife habitat planting projects
• Reporting park rule violations and maintenance needs to park staff
• Other duties as assigned.

 For a full job description and application instructions, visit: http://www.dmcounty.com/Jobs.aspx