Natural Resources Land Steward

Washington County (MN); Lake Elmo (MN); On-site; USD 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington County Parks is hiring a Natural Resources Land Steward to support park natural areas through field-based stewardship practices. The role involves invasive species control, habitat restoration, native planting, prescribed burns, and erosion control, with regular operation of land-management equipment and GIS-based activity tracking.

The position also includes helping lead seasonal staff and volunteers, coordinating work plans, and ensuring safety and equipment maintenance in all

Qualifications

• High-school diploma or equivalent; three years of full-time work experience in natural resource management including equipment operation.
• Experience in natural resource management and invasive species control.
• Ability to operate park equipment (tractor, skid steer, chainsaw, sprayers) and to work with volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Implement field-based stewardship practices to improve natural areas.
• Perform invasive species control, habitat restoration, native planting, and erosion control.
• Lead seasonal staff and volunteers, track activities with GIS, and assist with equipment maintenance.

Skills

Natural resource management

Invasive species control

Volunteer leadership

Equipment operation

GIS / ArcGIS

Public speaking

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

3 years full-time natural resources work experience

Tools

ArcGIS

Tractor and implements

Skid steer

Chainsaw

Brush cutter

Herbicide spray

Job description

*This is a special project position funded through June 30, 2031.*

The Natural Resources Land Steward supports Washington County Parks by implementing field-based stewardship practices that improve the health of natural areas. This role performs invasive species control, habitat restoration, native planting, prescribed burns, and erosion control. It involves regular operation and basic maintenance of land-management equipment, tracking project activities with GIS tools, and helping lead seasonal staff and volunteers.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Experience in natural resource management
• Experience Using Chainsaw, Brushcutter (with chisel, triblade, and/or weed whip head), Herbicide application with a backpack sprayer, Herbicide application with a high-pressure tank sprayer, Tractor and/or skid steer,
• Experience with Noxious or invasive species control, Tractor with mower and/or other implements, Prescribed grazing projects with goats and/or sheep, Preparing work schedules for staff, ArcGIS, Forestry mowing with a skid steer, Native plant install with a tractor and drill seeder, Working with volunteers, Vegetation surveys, Speaking to the general public
• Prescribed burn experience including Shortgrass, Tallgrass, Savanna, Wetland, Hardwood overstory, Confer overstory

SELECTION TECHNIQUE

Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

HOURS / DAYS / LOCATION

7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based on department needs.

ANTICIPATED HIRING RATE

$22.79 - $26.90 Hourly

E-Verify Participation

Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

E- Verify Participation Poster

Right to work Poster

The Natural Resources Land Steward is an integral part of the Washington County Parks Natural Resources Team and is instrumental in implementing stewardship practices across the park system. This field-based position offers an opportunity to contribute directly to stewardship work that will benefit the health of natural areas throughout the County. High-school diploma or equivalent and three years of full-time work experience in natural resource management that includes equipment operation. Must be able to obtain/maintain a Certified Pesticide Applicator for the State of Minnesota Category A and J within one year of employment. Must possess a valid driver's license, D.

Specific experience preferred for assignments

Natural resource management, tree and shrub removal, prescribed burns, application of herbicides, prairie planting, and maintenance, seed collection, tree planting and maintenance, experience working with volunteers, equipment operation (tractor with implements, skid steer with attachments, chainsaw, brush saw).

CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB-SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.

• Support and prioritize a welcoming and respectful workplace that fosters diversity and encourages contributions from all individuals.
• Provide inclusive and equitable service to all members of the community with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrate support for the County’s diversity, equity and inclusion program.
• Promotes a culture of continuous quality improvement in the workplace.
• Demonstrates knowledge of continuous quality improvement; and
• Promotes the engagement of staff and use of data in continuous quality improvement.
• Demonstrates ability to operate equipment (i.e. tractor with implements, skid steer with attachments truck and trailer, chainsaw, brush cutters, sprayers) and knowledge of equipment maintenance.
• Demonstrates knowledge of plant identification (i.e. tree, shrub, grass, and forbs).
• Demonstrates ability to work independently.
• Demonstrates ability to calculate figures and amounts.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to use related computer software for fieldwork.
• Demonstrates ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, or other irregular hours.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is physical in nature including working in all weather conditions, lifting, and carrying up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis. Exposures may include but are not limited to various chemical agents, fuels, blacktop/diesel/gasoline fumes, temperature extremes, smoke, poisonous plants, and ticks. Duties include being able to perform the following movements on a frequent to continual basis: bending, turning/twisting, kneeling, squatting, lifting, climbing, reaching out, reaching up, grasping, pinching, wrist turning, and finger manipulation. Equipment includes but is not limited to: telephone, 2-way radio, desktop and hand‑held computers, small hand tools, power tools, one‑ton trucks, Utility terrain vehicles, tractors with implements, skid steer with attachments, chipper, trailers, snowmobiles, water pump, hydraulic equipment, chainsaw, brush saw, and other equipment related to the area of assignment. This work environment also includes the need to distinguish between colors based on work assignments. Work involves various schedules including evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or irregular/extended shifts. Additional physical/mental requirements may not be listed above but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.

• Implements Integrated Pest Management techniques to control noxious weeds which include mowing, seeding, grazing, haying and handling, mixing and application of appropriate chemicals.
• Carry out invasive tree and shrub removal, native planting and seeding, erosion control, seed collection, prescribed burns and assist with wildlife management.
• Operates vehicles, tractor with implements, skid steer with attachments, hand and power equipment, and other related equipment as needed to restore and maintain natural areas in the park system.
• Provides and leads assigned seasonal staff and volunteers in day-to-day field operations.
• Uses Geographic Information System applications to track habitat management activities and to monitor natural resources projects;
• Conducts minor repairs and maintenance of equipment to include but not limited to; sharpening of chains and blades, lubricating equipment and motors, hydraulic.
• Obtains permits, licenses, or certifications as required by local, state or federal regulations or as requested.
• Prepares/maintains inspections of natural areas, and equipment/supply inventories.
• Maintains clean, organized, safe working conditions in shops, break‑rooms, offices, and all associated work sites.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9.