Habitat Management Technician

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County is seeking a part-time Environmental Technician to provide technical support for managing natural lands, focusing on invasive plant management and habitat restoration, using chemical and mechanical methods while protecting native species.

You will document treatments with GPS and GIS tools, assist with planting native species, and participate in prescribed burns and general land maintenance under the Sustainability Department.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with six months of outdoor work experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain Georgia Commercial Pesticide Applicator License within 6 months.
• Must work safely with pesticides and outdoor equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for management of natural lands, including invasive plant management and habitat rehabilitation.
• Conduct invasive plant management using chemical and mechanical methods with minimal damage to native species.
• Geospatial documentation of herbicide treatments and habitat management using GPS, Survey123, and GIS tools.
• Assist with restoration activities and monitoring, including planting native species.
• Assist with prescribed burns by preparing fire breaks and participating as needed.
• Assist with habitat maintenance such as debris removal and perimeter marking.
• May assist with or lead guided field trips on ACC-owned conservation lands.

Skills

Habitat management

Invasive species

Plant identification

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

GPS

Survey 123

ESRI GIS

Job description

REPORTS TO: Ecological Resources Coordinator

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

CLASSIFICATION: PT/NB Serves at the discretion of the Sustainability Director

PAY GRADE: 110

SAFETY SENSITIVE: Yes

Purpose of Job

The purpose of this position is to provide technical support for the management of natural lands in Athens-Clarke County, with an emphasis on invasive plant management and habitat rehabilitation. Duties include, but are not limited to, chemical and mechanical removal of invasive plant species, habitat restoration activities and monitoring, as well as assisting with other activities of the Sustainability Department.

JOB RELATED REQUIREMENTS

May be required to work on religious holidays.

Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Must work cooperatively with others.

When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness, and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC’s safe driving policy. High school diploma or equivalent with six months of landscaping, forestry, agricultural or general outdoor work experience required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Georgia Commercial Pesticide Applicator License within 6 months of employment.

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Provide technical support for the management of natural lands, including invasive plant management and habitat rehabilitation.
• Conduct invasive plant management utilizing a variety of methods, including chemical and mechanical removal, with minimal to no damage to native species in the area.
• Geospatial documentation of herbicide treatments and habitat management using tools such as GPS, Survey 123, and Avenza.
• Assist with restoration activities and monitoring, including planting and seeding of native species.
• Assists with prescribed burns by preparing fire breaks and participating in prescribed burn activities.
• Assist with habitat maintenance activities such as debris removal, brush cutting, perimeter marking, fence and gate repair.
• May assist with or give guided field trips on various ACC-owned conservation lands.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of the Sustainability Department.

Knowledge of basic habitat management techniques, invasive species management, plant ecology and/or wildlife biology.

Knowledge of native and non-native plant identification.

Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards and regulations pertaining to the duties and responsibilities of the job, especially those pertaining to herbicide application.

Ability to operate hand tools and power tools such as chain saws, trimmers, reciprocating saws and drills.

Ability to perform computer-based work.

Ability to use GPS and ESRI GIS products for mapping and date entry.

Ability to work effectively with others and independently.

Ability to effectively communicate and interact with fellow employees, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the office.

Ability to handle required mathematical calculations and formulations for herbicide application.

Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.

Ability to work outdoors, in varying weather conditions, where encounters with snakes, biting insects, etc. are common.

Ability to work around flames and smoke.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, office equipment, land conservation equipment, scientific and research tools, geospatial tools, forestry tools, prescribed fire tools, and other equipment associated with major areas of responsibility. Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials. This position requires: walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, balancing, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, a high level of dexterity, and repetitive motions. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those of heavy work.

Must be able to accommodate temperature and weather extremes, strong odors, poisonous agents, smoke/dust/pollen, wetness/humidity, animals/wildlife, biting/stinging insects, noise extremes, vibrations, and machinery.

Must wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including specialized wildland fire PPE, when engaged in certain tasks associated with land management.

DATA CONCEPTION

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Requires the ability to hear, speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants/from supervisors.

LANGUAGE ABILITY

Requires the ability to read a variety of work orders, government ordinances, equipment maintenance manuals, employee handbooks, records, reports, maps, policies, labels, ordinances and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare daily work reports, pesticide application notifications and documentation, equipment service requests and performance appraisals, using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.

INTELLIGENCE

Requires the ability to learn and understand basic principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation and to make an independent judgement in the absence of management.

VERBAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to record and deliver information; to explain procedures and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; utilize and determine percentages; compute ratio and proportion and calculate area dimensions.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape visually with office equipment and scientific or forestry equipment.

MOTOR COORDINATION

Requires the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using computers, office equipment, scientific and forestry equipment, and land management equipment. Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, pour, measure, hold, and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates to operate a wide variety of equipment and tools used in a range of indoor and outdoor settings.

MANUAL DEXTERITY

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as hand and power tools as well as forestry equipment. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DISCRIMINATION

May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.

ACCGov is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. ACCGov is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Leah Jagatic, HR Coordinator, Human Resources, 762-400-6370 or [e-mail].