• Develops, plans, and administers a program to control problem vegetation in rights-of-way and drainage districts.
• Preserves and restores natural prairie lands.
• Maintains required records.
• Supervises and participates in planting and maintaining native and introduced grass and flower communities in newly grades, cleaned out, or otherwise disturbed sites on county rights-of-way and other county open spaces.
• Prepares and administers vegetation management budget.
• Participates as a member of the Conservation management team, including participating in strategic/operational planning, budget development and management, problem identification and resolution, and recommending and implementing strategies to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of services and programming.
• Oversees maintenance and record keeping on all program equipment, vehicles, and facilities.
• Oversees and provides technical support for the rental of conservation planting equipment.
• Cooperates with universities and other agencies in conducting research and analyzing data to determine trends in roadside vegetation and wildlife and to help facilitate vegetation management decision.
• Networks with support groups and external agencies to implement good stewardship practices and program goals.
• Submits periodic program reports to the Conservation Board, County Engineer, and Board of Supervisors.
• Conducts outreach programs and in-service training related to vegetation management.
• May serve as Story County Weed Commissioner.
• Prepares grant applications.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of natural resources conservation principles and practices.
• Knowledge of the common practices, tools, terminology, and safety precautions of park, weed, right-of-way, and equipment maintenance.
• Knowledge of the flora and fauna of Iowa.
• Knowledge of pesticides and their use related to vegetation management.
• Knowledge of Iowa’s Drainage District system.
• Knowledge of budget management principles.
• Skill in the use of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in the analysis of data and in the development of vegetation management plans based on that data.
• Skill in the operation of a variety of grounds management equipment.
• Skill in developing and implementing conservation programs and services.
• Skill in communicating complex ideas both orally and in writing.
• Skill in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with county officials, community partners, staff, and the general public.