Noxious Weed Technician

Harvey County; Newton (KS); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvey County is seeking a proactive Noxious Weed Technician in Newton, Kansas, to maintain county rights-of-way and properties, ensuring a clean and safe environment for workers and the public. The role offers full-time hours with wage range listed and potential growth into a Noxious Weed Director position.

Responsibilities include applying pesticides, updating treatment maps, operating heavy equipment, and coordinating traffic control while adhering to safety regulations.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required and two (2) years of landscaping or construction experience. Associate’s degree from an accredited college preferred.
• Must possess a Commercial Driver’s License class A CDL w/airbrakes endorsement
• General & Class 9A noxious weed applicators license. (May be certified after hire)
• May be required to complete OSHA 10-hr or 30-hr safety training by timeframe designated by the County.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and applies chemicals to various properties in accordance with pesticide label instructions and regulations.
• Maintains maps indicating chemicals used, weeds treated and area sprayed.
• Fills sprayer tanks with water and chemicals per instructions.
• Operates heavy duty snowplow trucks for salt/sand operations and post-storm cleanup.
• Loads, delivers, and unloads materials and equipment using trucks and trailers.
• Performs traffic control setup in high traffic areas to ensure safety.

Skills

CDL Class A

Noxious weed knowledge

Pesticide application

Safety compliance

Equipment operation

Traffic control

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree preferred

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full-Time Newton, KS, US

Salary Range: $21.63 To $24.48 Hourly

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title:

Pay Grade:

65

Department:

Noxious Weeds

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Reports To:

Noxious Weeds Director

Revision Date:

6/10/24

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a proactive Noxious Weed Technician who is eager to grow into our next Noxious Weed Director role. This position maintains the condition of the County’s right of ways and various properties to provide a clean and safe environment for workers and the public.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Prepares and applies chemicals to County, State, Township, Private and Railroad properties in accordance with pesticide label instructions and State and Federal regulations.
• Maintains and updates maps indicating chemicals used, weeds treated and area sprayed. Areas treated include: County roadsides (noxious weeds), K.D.O T. (noxious weeds), field work (noxious weeds), and long term control (sterilization) on rock shoulders, bridges, sign posts, County yards, stockpiles, parking areas.
• May be asked to work in other areas of the government, i.e.: snow removal, building and maintaining & moving equipment.
• Fills sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to pesticide label Instructions.
• Applies pesticides to pastures, farm land, County right of ways and/or County properties.
• Covers areas with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, and instructions noted on chemical labels.
• Cleans and maintains equipment, disposes of empty chemical containers as described on chemical labels.
• Cuts and applies herbicides to brush and trees on Rights-of-way.
• Removes trees with heavy equipment, i.e.: dozer, backhoe, winch trucks, and loader.
• Clears ditches and culverts.
• Performs traffic control set-ups in high volume traffic and/or around work zones and ensures safety of employees and traveling public.
• Prepares time and work reports.
• Loads, delivers, and unloads materials and equipment for maintenance work using single- and multi-axle trucks in combination with trailers.
• Operates heavy-duty snowplow trucks to sand and salt roadways and roadsides for snow and ice control to keep them safe for travel; performs post-storm clean up.
• Ensures all work is done according to standard and County practice and procedures.
• Ensures all activities are carried out in a safe manner; adheres to all safety regulations; ensures all regulations pertaining to the safe use of equipment are understood and followed.
• Reports all accidents to the appropriate authority. Follows all policies for reporting.
• May be assigned to rotating on-call duties including emergency response and/or nighttime or weekend hours for emergency response or special events.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalent required and two (2) years of landscaping or construction experience. Associate’s degree from an accredited college preferred.
• Must possess a Commercial Driver’s License class A CDL w/airbrakes endorsement
• General & Class 9A noxious weed applicators license. (May be certified after hire)
• May be required to complete OSHA 10-hr or 30-hr safety training by timeframe designated by the County.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the Director. Works under the scope of general policies, procedures and objectives and is carried out in accordance with standard practices, instructions or previous training. Incumbent has no supervisory responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of noxious weed identification and eradication techniques.
• Knowledge of proper use, preventative maintenance, and repair on assigned equipment.
• Knowledge of traffic laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards (OSHA) and safe work practices.
• Knowledge of safe operations of heavy duty trucks and equipment.
• Knowledge of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the County.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of computer software consistent for this position.
• Skill in maintaining safety practices and recognizing hazards in the workplace.
• Skill in operating equipment safely and efficiently.
• Skill in following procedures outlined in print and electronic technical manuals.
• Skill to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to perform manual labor in an outdoor environment and over uneven terrain.
• Ability to operate motor vehicles safely in all circumstances and weather conditions.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.

• Essential Physical Functions of the position are provided in the Functional Job Analysis Attachment.
• Ability to observe details at close range.
• Communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas so others understand.
• Work may involve mobility over rough or difficult terrain. Work may also be performed above or below ground, to include heights over 10 feet, as well as underground crawl spaces.
• Work is performed daily both in and outdoors under all weather conditions and may include exposure to inclement weather, chemicals, seasonal temperature extremes, hazardous waste, noise, equipment and vibrations, airborne materials, active construction sites, and traffic.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.