Seasonal Conservation Technician

Monroe County Conservation has an opening for a Seasonal Conservation/Maintenance Technician.

Interested persons may obtain by calling 641-455-4778 or visit Monroe County Jobs - Conservation for more information and to find an employment application.  Please return a completed application, cover letter, resume and references to: Monroe County Conservation, 1270 635th Avenue, Lovilia, Iowa 50150, or monroe.conservation@hotmail.com.  Applications will be accepted until an eligible candidate is located. 

Description of Duties:

Monroe County is seeking a Seasonal Conservation/Maintenance Technician. This position will be under the supervision of the Park Administrator. Position will include but is not limited to operation of equipment & vehicles, operation of power tools, public/community interaction, ex: sweeping, mopping, mowing, painting, brush cutting, etc. Position with be 29 hours per week until approximately October. Employees must have effective communication skills. Previous custodial/janitorial experience is a plus. Must be 18 years or older. Valid Iowa driver’s license. Complete tasks with limited to no supervision. Goal oriented. Positive attitude. Works effectively with others. Eligible for rehire for future seasons.

Qualifications:

• Qualified candidates should have or be working towards a Bachelor’s Degree or AA with conservation reference or equivalent experience in position’s related field.
• Experience regarding connections to conservation and outdoor education, organizational skills; maintenance equipment skills; safety minded individual and experience in community programs preferred.
• Compensation dependent upon experience.
• Certification as a commercial pesticide applicator plus.
• Prescribed Fire S-130 & S-190 certification is a plus 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   

• Performs park maintenance and operation work such as:  the repair of buildings, tables, fireplaces, tools and equipment, and the maintenance and clean up of roads, trails, buildings, developed grounds, boat docks, restrooms, and water systems using various specialized hand and power tools. 
• Participates in facilities improvement projects. 
• Provides information on facilities, rules and regulations, and other services as required or assigned to the public. 
• Respond to questions by park users. 
• Cares for turf, trees and other vegetation in parks and recreational areas. 
• Mows grass and trims vegetation by safely using a variety of power and hand tools, vehicles, and equipment, including power mowers and weed eaters.
• Safely operates grounds keeping equipment, including tractors, mowers, weed cutters, trimmers, and chain saws. 
• Provides corrective and preventive maintenance on trucks, tractors, lawn mowers, and other department equipment. 
• Changes oil in trucks, tractors, mowers and other vehicles.   
• Cuts, splits and stacks firewood using chain saws and wood splitters. 
• Uses chain saws, ropes, tractors and logging equipment to cut trees. 
• Maintains appearance of parks by cleaning showers, latrines, and shelter houses. 
• Collects and disposes of debris and garbage. 
• Removes debris after storms. 
• Assists in planting and watering trees and shrubs for wildlife habitat and in park areas. 
• Maintains fences throughout conservation areas. 
• Replaces broken posts or rails. 
• Constructs fences by digging postholes, setting posts and stringing barbed wire. 
• Develop and implement prescribe burns to enhance wildlife habitat. 
• Assists in the prescribed burning of native prairie areas established on county and state lands.  
• Maintain accurate records regarding equipment repair and maintenance. 
• Provides nature education programs to the public and youth of the area. 
• Assist in the moving of tables, chairs, cabinets, desks and other office furniture and equipment. 
• Perform other duties as directed or as the situation dictates.            

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY:  

• Knowledge of principles of park maintenance, forestry and wildlife conservation and management. 
•  Knowledge of techniques of turf and prairie care, including application of seed fertilizer in proper ratios. 
• Knowledge of natural resource management practices. 
• Ability to identify tree, plant and wildlife species. 
• General knowledge of Iowa’s natural resources. 
• General knowledge of the care and safe operation of both manual and power tools and equipment used in park management operations.  (Must meet OSHA age requirement to operate power tools). 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, supervisors and fellow employees. 
• General knowledge of first aid procedures and applications. 
•  Semi-skilled in wood working, carpentry and general building construction. 
• Ability to repair and maintain equipment. 
• Ability to understand and follow both oral and written instructions. 
• Ability to safely operate a range of motor vehicles, including tractors, mowers, trucks & ATVs. 
• Knowledge of vehicle maintenance methods and ability to safely use associated tools. 
• Ability to safely operate control burning equipment, including torches and pumps. 
• Ability to obtain and maintain required licenses and certifications.
• Ability to operate a variety of farm equipment including tractors, implements, sprayers, UTVs and skid loaders. 
•  Knowledge of invasive species control. 
• General knowledge of the techniques required to perform maintenance and repair of equipment, grounds and facilities. 
• Ability to maintain basic maintenance and repair records. 
• Responsible for following standard safety operating procedures. 
• Ability to perform job duties efficiently with minimal supervision. 
• Ability to work alone and to make independent decisions.     

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Work is performed either indoors in an office setting or outdoors, in inclement weather and over rough terrain. 
• Incumbent must be able to work in all climatic conditions ranging from intense heat to extreme cold, with snow and / or ice. 
• Individual mobility is also required to attend public meetings and visit job sites at various places within the county. 
• While performing the duties described, the employee is required to stand, walk, kneel, stoop, climb or crawl; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or control; and reach with hands and arms. 
• Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity are necessary to operate computers, tools, vehicles and various pieces of equipment. 
• The incumbent must have the ability to lift and carry office supplies or other tools and equipment weighing up to 75 lbs, without assistance, and to tolerate long periods of standing or sitting. 
• Adequate hearing and speech is necessary to communicate clearly. 
• Must have the ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, forms, sounds and textures associated with job-related objects and materials.
• Work may be required before and after daylight hours. 
• The incumbent occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high/precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk or electrical shock and vibration. 
• The noise level is usually quiet to moderate, however may be intense dependent upon the activity performed in the field.
• Work requires interaction with the general public and may be stressful when dealing with irate citizens and/or meeting deadlines.  

Disclaimer:

Position is subject to passing a pre-employment physical, criminal background check, and drug/alcohol testing. It is the policy of Monroe County to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disabilities, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law and as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L. 100.259). Interested applicants claiming Veterans Preference pursuant to Iowa Code Section 35C.1 must submit supporting documents with your application package to verify your preference claim. It is Monroe County’s intent and desire that equal employment opportunities will be provided in employment, recruitment and selection. Disabled applicants who need accommodations to make application for this position should make their needs known to the Employer.

Monroe County Conservation Board Mission Statement:

The goal of the Monroe County Conservation Board (MCCB) is to encourage awareness and enjoyment of our Natural Resources by providing a better understanding of our environment.

Monroe County Conservation

1270 635th Ave

Lovilia, Iowa 50501

Phone: 641-455-4778

Useful Links

• Lake Miami Park Information

• Monroe County - My County Parks Information