Noxious Weed Assistant

Geary Co; Junction City (KS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Geary Co in Kansas is seeking a Noxious Weed Assistant to help fulfill state laws on weed control and the HHW/AGCHEM program. You will work with citizens to communicate program information and with the public to enforce the Kansas Noxious Weed Control Act, delivering responsive, courteous service to county residents.

The position involves administrative tasks, pesticide handling, recycling duties, and equipment operation, with responsibilities that adapt to county resolutions and department

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Three (3) years of weed control and chemical application experience.
• Technical certificates required within 6 months of hire: Commercial Applicator Certification; Noxious Weed Inspectors Certification; OSHA HazWhopper State Certification.

Responsibilities

• Maintain records and prepare required reports.
• Assist with pesticide applications for weed control.
• Handle HHW/AGCHEM materials and recycling duties.
• Operate equipment including sprayers, front end loader, and trucks.
• Assist in public outreach and educate citizens about programs.
• Enforce Kansas Noxious Weed Control Act with the public.

Skills

Weed control experience

Pesticide application knowledge

Reading labels and SDS

Public interaction

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Commercial Applicator Certification

Noxious Weed Inspectors Certification

OSHA HazWhopper State Certification

Job description

Reports To: Noxious Weed Supervisor PCN: PW1021

Department: Public Works Department Date: February 2015

JOB SUMMARY

The job duties of the Noxious Weed Assistant include but are not limited to assist in fulfilling the state laws on noxious weed control, and the household hazardous waste/agricultural chemical program (HHW/AGCHEM); to work with citizens in communicating information about the programs of the department; to work with public to enforce the Kansas Noxious Weed Control Act; and to provide responsive, courteous and efficient service to County residents and the general public. Performs other duties as required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties described below are indicative of what the Noxious Weed Assistant might be asked to perform. This job description is to incorporate any County resolutions for the position of Noxious Weed Assistant. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Administrative Tasks.

Maintains records on all work performed. Gathers data and information for the noxious weed supervisor for required state and federal organization reports. Educates public through written promotion. Maintains visual and analytical evaluations. Prepares non-compliance notices. Attends training sessions on new chemicals, label changes and procedures and new laws and regulations concerning the use of pesticides.

Pesticide Application.

Works with farmers, townships and cities with weed problems and noxious weed eradication. Prepares chemical and pesticide solutions. Spraying roadside for noxious weeds.

Chemical Handling.

Loads and unloads chemicals and HHW/AGCHEM segregate HHW/AGCHEM products by SDS categories. Bulk specific materials in HHW/AGCHEM and E-Waste for recycling or incinerating.

Recycling.

Assist in county recycling collection point including loading and unloading recycling bins, preparing for and transporting bins to regional recycling center.

Equipment Operation.

Operates other equipment in the public works area such as front end loader, backhoe, dump truck, snow plow, side mount tractor mowers, boom mower, forklift and all-terrain vehicles with a sprayer or blade. Performs mowing operations in the summer and snowplowing in the winter along with other special assignments as requested from time to time. Maintains the equipment.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required at the time of hire or for the continuation of employment.

MINIMUM QUALIFCATIONS

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Three (3) years of experience of weed control and chemical application experience.
• Technical certificates required within 6 months of hire and maintained during employment:
  • Commercial Applicator Certification
  • Noxious Weed Inspectors Certification
  • OSHA HazWhopper State Certification

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of state noxious weed laws, pesticides, chemicals and their application.
• Knowledge of calibrating equipment and equipment maintenance,
• Ability to read, understand and analyze label recommendations.
• Ability to operate a spray truck, spray equipment and other related equipment.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor when dealing with the public.
• Ability to comprehend, retain and apply County, State, and Federal policies and legislation, i.e. local resolutions, procedure manuals, SDS sheets, safety manuals; and warning labels.

EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Ability to operate various types of office equipment – standard office equipment, computer and basic knowledge of Microsoft Office software, etc.
• Ability to operate a spray truck, spray equipment and other related equipment.
• Ability to use GPS and GIS data relating to county landmarks, roads, etc.
• Other equipment could be required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a professional and friendly manner with customers, citizens, co-workers and management.
• Ability to communicate in both written and verbal form.
• Ability to develop, interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence, Federal, State, and local regulations, SDS sheets, safety manuals, operating and repair manuals, etc., and warning labels.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to perform complex mathematical calculations.
• Ability to prepare and administer annual division budget.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to respond to complaints and grievances posed by the public.
• Ability to define problems and deal with a variety of situations.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Ability to use good judgment and effectively solve problems.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environments described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Physical Environment:

• The duties of this job include physical activities such as stooping, kneeling, standing, reaching, walking, lifting and/or move (up to 50 pounds), grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, and repetitive motions.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
• Works in both an indoor setting as well as outdoors.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all types of weather when required.
• Due to the volume, scope, size of staff and nature of public service this office provides, full-time regular attendance is essential.