Natural Resource Technician

POSITION: Permanent Full-Time, Natural Resource Technician position, under the supervision of the Director and Natural Resource/Roadside Manager of the Buena Vista County Conservation Board (BVCCB), Peterson, IA.

SUMMARY: The Natural Resource Technician will work with the Natural Resource/Roadside Manager to administer, develop, plan, and conduct a program of vegetative management that seeks to control unwanted vegetation and promote desirable vegetation within Buena Vista County roadsides and Buena Vista County Conservation Board (BVCCB) managed areas.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

The following duties are typical for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. 

Other duties may be required and assigned.

Performs a wide variety of professional, technical, and field duties.

These duties include all aspects of managing roadside vegetation and BVCCB natural resource management programs, including but not limited to:

1.       Performing chemical, mechanical, and biological control of unwanted species consistent with Buena Vista County’s adopted Integrated Roadside Management (IRVM) Plan.

2.       Providing management of woody vegetation in County Roadsides in conjunction with the Secondary Roads Department and BVCCB managed areas to promote native prairie and savanna species populations and public safety.

3.       Operating BVCCB seeding equipment, including hydroseeder, no-till drills and broadcast seeders.

4.       Facilitating continual maintenance of food plot, cover crop, and/or native plantings.

5.       Operation, maintenance, and repairs of all BVCCB equipment (tractor, vehicles, UTV, chainsaws, etc.)

6.       Maintaining written and digital records (chemical application, daily work, equipment maintenance, etc.)

7.       Assisting in the investigation and addressing of noxious weed complaints.

8.       Assisting in the planning and conducting of prescribed fire.

9.       Providing effective communication with the County Engineer’s office, Conservation Board, and the public.

10.    Assisting with development and presentation of educational materials related to roadside and BVCCB programs.

11.    Assisting with inventory and data collection for prairie remnants, noxious weed areas and woody vegetation encroachment areas.

12.    Contributing and executing management plans and illustrating visual plans using GIS software.

13.    Assisting with production, harvest and processing of native prairie seeds for use in roadsides and BVCCB natural areas.

14.    Training and leading seasonal/temporary employees.

15.    Attending and engaging in state and regional conferences relating to the field as directed.

16.    Aside from natural resource management activities this individual may be assigned to work on other conservation properties, and assisting with general park maintenance and other BVCCB capital projects when needed.

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 label requirements.

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 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: Graduate from a accredited college or university with 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 Associate's Degree from an accredited 2-year college with major course work related to the natural resource field plus a minimum of 2-years' experience in an natural resource field or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Must possess or the ability to obtain within 6 months an Iowa Commercial Pesticide License, 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 $20.00/hour. Standard county benefits including 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

377 440^th Street

Peterson, Iowa 51047

Or email to: office@bvcountyparks.com

DEADLINE: Must be received by April 9nd, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.