Natural Resource Biologist-ROW Vegetation

Summary:

The general implementation of activities associated with all aspects of vegetation management within county secondary road right-of-ways (ROW) & CGCC managed property.  Work activities focus on the continued maintenance and development of safe travel corridors for vehicles and biological management of desired vegetation types along those corridors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operate any equipment owned by Cerro Gordo County Conservation.
• Perform scheduled and non-scheduled routine equipment maintenance and arrange with supervisor for non-routine work to be completed by private repair vendors/contractors.
• Make minor repairs on equipment and facilities not requiring a trained professional repair person.
• Maintain efficient and effective maintenance records for all ROW department managed equipment and facilities.
• Assist the Natural Resource Manager with accomplishing established ecologically oriented management goals for vegetation on county ROWs & CGCC managed property.
• Assist with control and removal of woody vegetation on ROW & CGCC managed property with the use of: chainsaws, woodchipper w/winch, dump truck, tractors.
• Assist with conducting controlled burns on ROW & CGCC managed property.
• Assist with spraying of herbicides on ROW & CGCC managed property for control of noxious weeds according to Iowa Department of Agriculture standards and woody vegetation.
• Assist with seeding projects on cleaned, regraded and newly created ROW & CGCC managed areas, primarily utilizing native warm season plant species (utilizing-drills, tractors, mowers, hydroseeder, seed slingers, etc.).
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of the following activities along with their location:  herbicide application, seeding projects, prescribed burns, tree and brush removal.
• Inform supervisor of situations needing attention in regards to: ROW & CGCC managed areas, equipment problems, safety concerns and other potential risk situations.
• Perform any and all related work according to goals and objectives of ROW & CGCC programs, in accordance with departmental safety regulations.
• Assist with development and presentation of educational materials related to ROW & CGCC programs.
• Assist with production, harvest and processing of native prairie plant seeds for use in ROW programs.
• Assist with continued inventory and data collection for prairie remnants, noxious weed areas and woody vegetation encroachment sites.
• Assist other full-time staff as specified by Director.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The biologist may routinely work with temporary or part-time employees and occasionally may supervise a specific work project being performed.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty.  The requirements listed as follows are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required.

• Ability to routinely work at remote/satellite work stations.
• Ability to organize assigned work and develop efficient strategies to accomplish said work.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, the general public, special interest/civic groups and individuals from other government agencies.
• Ability to work a non-standard workweek, including nights and weekends to accomplish the objectives of the position.
• Ability to maintain accurate safety, work, equipment and facility maintenance records.
• Ability to operate any non-agency owned, job specific equipment, to achieve work goals.
• Abitlity to continue professional training to remain knowledgeable of current issues, trends and management techniques.

The requirements and duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in biological sciences, wildlife management, or a closely related subject and a minimum of 1 year practical work experience in the above or a related field.
• Knowledge of the tools and equipment required to perform the job.

Language Skills:

• The ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and the general public.
• Ability to deal with the general public in a tactful and curteous manner.
• Ability to properly and effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to apply common sense to solve problems or achieve work objectives.
• Ability to recognize work situations that require special attention.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid Iowa Commercial Drivers License (Within 90 days of hire date).
• Valid Iowa Pesticide Applicator License (Within 90 days of hire date).
• National Wildlife Coordinating Group (NWCG) certification for S-130 & S-190 (Within first year of service).

Physical Demands:

• 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to stand, walk, sit, operate hand tools, kneel, stoop, balance and climb ladders and equipment.  These activities may be required for 2 or more hours at a time during an 8-10 hour work/day.
• The employee must occasionally lift 75 pound objects 40 inches high and carry 15 yards.  The specific vision abilities required for this job include: close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee will work around moving parts and equipment.  The employee will work outdoors in extreme hot, cold, rainy, snowy and windy weather conditions and be exposed to dust, fumes and loud noises.

Comments:

• Must be insurable for driving under county insurance company policies.
• Applicant will be subject to post offer, pre-employment drug and physical testing.

Cerro Gordo County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.  Cerro Gordo County is subject to and has adopted a policy in compliance with the 2008 Smokefree Air Act.