Conservation Technician

Five-Rivers-Metro-Parks; Germantown (OH); On-site; USD 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Five Rivers MetroParks is seeking a Habitat Technician to implement natural area management plans, restore habitats, and support fish and wildlife population management on MetroParks facilities.

The role involves vegetation manipulation, prescribed fire participation, seed harvest, water quality management, fish surveys, and wildlife population control under ADA accommodations and safety guidelines.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED with 1 year experience in natural resources.
• Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License must be earned within 2 years of employment.
• Valid Driver's License required per company policy.

Responsibilities

• Manipulates vegetation in forests, thickets, grasslands, wetlands, lakes, and ponds using power tools, hand tools, herbicides, insecticides, and agency equipment.
• Participates in prescribed fire applications in agency forests, grasslands and thicket.
• Harvests seed of native trees, plants and shrubs for habitat restoration.
• Manages ponds, rivers, and wetlands to maintain water quality and recreational opportunities.
• Conducts fish surveys in lakes, ponds, and rivers.
• Manages wildlife populations within agency facilities including trapping of nuisance animals, and deer culling.
• Assists in development of conservation plans and best management practices; collects, inputs, and analyzes field data.
• Installs signs, fences, gates, boardwalks and other infrastructure projects within MetroParks facilities.
• Promotes MetroParks' mission and educates volunteers to complete conservation activities.

Skills

Plant identification

Wildlife knowledge

Data recording

Education

High School diploma or GED

Ohio Pesticide License within 2 years

Valid Driver's License

Job description

Implements natural area management plans on MetroParks facilities to maintain, create, and restore diversified habitats, and manage agency fish and wildlife populations.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform essential duties to expected performance standards. Reasonable accommodations are made as required for persons with disabilities as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

• Manipulates vegetation in forests, thickets, grasslands, wetlands, lakes, and ponds using power tools, hand tools, herbicides, insecticides, and agency equipment.
• Participates in prescribed fire applications in agency forests, grasslands and thicket.
• Harvests seed of native trees, plants and shrubs for habitat restoration.
• Manages ponds, rivers, and wetlands to maintain water quality and recreational opportunities.
• Conducts fish surveys in lakes, ponds, and rivers.
• Manages wildlife populations within agency facilities including trapping of nuisance animals, and deer culling. Assists with agency bowhunting program. Participates in goose management through egg drilling and capture.
• Uses, maintains, and repairs equipment used in habitat management tasks, routine operations and facility maintenance.
• Assists in the development of conservation plans and best management practices. Collects, inputs, and analyzes field data, and assists with agency research projects. Conducts task and cost of service analyses.
• Installs signs, fences, gates, boardwalks and other infrastructure projects within MetroParks facilities.
• Promotes MetroParks' mission and vision through daily interaction with park users, gives presentations to special interest groups, responds to public questions and concerns, educates and trains volunteers to complete conservation activities with limited supervision.
• Serves on committees to plan and implement various projects such as developing park interpretive plans, conference planning, sustainability practices, trails, and other purposes. Attends trainings/meetings to enhance job related knowledge. Develop reports and write-ups as assigned.
• Maintains various records and prepares reports including cost of service analysis, pesticide application logs, vehicle maintenance logs, conference summaries, task analysis, budget reports and other records and reports. Creates correspondence with other departments and agencies.
• Works assigned schedule, exhibits regular and punctual attendance and works outside of normal schedule as required.
• Orders materials and supplies as needed within policy guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. A combination of appropriate education, training, course work and experience may qualify an applicant to demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and abilities.An example of an acceptable qualification is:

• High School diploma or GED and one year experience in natural resources, including the ability to identify plants and wildlife.
• Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License earned within 2 years of employment.
• Valid Drivers' License which meets Five Rivers MetroParks' insurance carrier guidelines.

Candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening test prior to employment.

Five Rivers MetroParks is an EEO/AA employer that values diversity in the workplace.