Conservation Technician

Houston Parks Board Inc; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 46,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical benefits

Dental and vision benefits

Paid time off

Short- and long-term disability

403b retirement plan

Job summary

Houston Parks Board Inc. is seeking a Conservation Technician I to manage native landscape care along the Bayou Greenways.

You will work with staff, volunteers and contractors to restore habitats and maintain landscapes, applying knowledge of local ecosystems and landscape techniques. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in related fields or equivalent experience, 1+ year of project experience, and a valid Texas driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture, natural resources, ecology, forestry, resource management, biology, wildlife biology, urban planning with environmental emphasis or equivalent experience.
• 1+ years of experience managing natural resource management projects and environmental education programs.
• Strong knowledge of native Houston-area plants, including tree identification.
• Experience with landscape and wildlife management practices and best practices.
• Understanding of landscape and ecological systems, green infrastructure and landscape sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Understand, monitor, and care for native landscape bed resources and habitats along the Bayou Greenway system.
• Collaborate in the field with conservation staff, volunteers and contractors on projects.
• Oversee contractors to ensure maintenance work meets standards and integrate new areas into maintenance plans.
• Conduct habitat vegetation inventories and assessments using best practices.
• Perform natural resource management tasks, including invasive species control.
• Create, replant and rebuild habitats as needed.
• Coordinate projects with HPB team members and maintenance staff.
• Communicate effectively with HPB staff, stakeholders, agencies, partners and the public.

Skills

Plant identification

Organizational skills

Written & verbal communication

Team collaboration

Project coordination

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture / natural resources

Tools

GIS

Microsoft Office

Landscape architecture plans

Job description

Description

With guidance from, and under the direction of the Conservation Manager, the Conservation Technician I will coordinate the following activities within the Bayou Greenways Conservation and Maintenance program. This position involves hands‑on work in restoring and maintaining natural areas and landscape resources; therefore it requires knowledge of plant/animal ecosystems and landscape techniques.

Main Responsibilities:

• Understanding, monitoring, and caring for the native landscape bed resources and/or habitats along the Bayou Greenway system
• Work collaboratively in the field with other conservation staff, volunteers and contractors on conservation projects
• Essential oversight of contractors including ensuring maintenance work is completed and complies with standards, integrating newly completed conservation areas into maintenance activities, and assisting in the creation of maintenance Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) and Work Orders (WO’s)
• Habitat vegetation inventory/assessment, as needed, utilizing best management practices
• Natural resource management tasks, such as herbicide control of invasive species
• Creation, replanting and rebuilding of habitats
• Project coordination with HPB team members, including the maintenance team
• Facilitate positive communication and collaboration with HPB staff, all key stakeholders, government agencies (including Houston Parks and Recreation Department “HPARD”, Harris County Precincts and Harris County Flood Control District “HCFCD”), project partners/volunteers and the general public
• Regular meetings with Conservation Manager and Team
• Capable of working effectively and independently in the field with minimal guidance
• Additional duties as required

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, natural resources, ecology, forestry, resource management, biology, wildlife biology, urban planning with an emphasis on environmental design or related field, or equivalent experience in a related field

Knowledge and Experience:

• 1 or more years of experience managing natural resource management projects and environmental education programs
• Strong knowledge of plants native to the Houston area, including tree identification
• Experience with technical aspects and best practices of landscape and wildlife management
• Expertise and understanding of landscape systems, ecological systems, green infrastructure and landscape sustainability
• Understanding of long‑term implications of construction‑related decisions and practices on future maintenance operations

Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid Texas Driver's License required.
• Must be at least 25 years of age to meet insurance eligibility requirements for operating an HPB vehicle. Driving an HPB vehicle is an essential function of this position.

Skills and Abilities:

• Plant identification skills are essential for a successful candidate
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to meet multiple deadlines with attention to detail, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and present viable solutions
• Good communicator, including clear, concise and accessible reports, correspondence, procedural manuals and verbal presentations
• Ability to work effectively with others in order to build mutual respect and solve problems
• Ability to efficiently respond to questions from staff, Board members, program partners, funders and members of the community
• Ability to effectively manage projects and project personnel, both volunteer and contractual
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Evidence of good judgment and decisiveness
• Ability to work creatively and resourcefully within a determined budget
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite products, working knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ability to read and interpret landscape architectural plans

Work Environment:

• Primarily “in the field” along the greenway system, via company vehicle, with periods of office time for meetings, preparing reports, etc.
• Will be outside exposed to long periods of sun, high heat and humidity, rain, or cold
• Driving in the Houston area will be required

This is a salary exempt position, with a range of $46,000-$48,000/ year commensurate with skills and experience. Benefits include full medical, dental and vision benefits, paid time off, short-and long-term disability, and 403b retirement plan.