Variable Natural Resources Technician - Winter

City of Lakewood; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Pension Plan

Sick Leave

Vacation Time

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

The City of Lakewood is hiring a Variable Natural Resources Technician to protect and restore natural resources, maintain trails, manage vegetation, and educate the public. You will work under the Natural Resources Specialist and support ecological restoration and wildlife habitat projects.

This part-time, non-benefited role offers meaningful fieldwork, engaging with the community, and opportunities to contribute to open spaces and recreation areas around Lakewood.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree, or course work leading to a degree, in natural resources related field is preferred.
• Previous experience in natural resources, or similar field, is highly preferred.
• State of Colorado pesticide applicator license preferred.
• Valid CPR, AED and First Aid certification. Certification must be completed within 2 months of hire date.
• Wildland Firefighter red card is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance and construction of natural surface trails and trail amenities.
• Vegetation management and control of noxious weeds.
• Ecological restoration and erosion control, including seeding and native plants.
• Wildlife management and data collection (GIS, surveys, photos).
• Assist with Aquatic Nuisances Species program inspections.
• Educate the public on natural resources and preservation philosophy.

Skills

Valid driver's license

CPR, AED, First Aid

Public engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural resources

Course work leading to degree in natural resources

Tools

GIS

Field Maps

ArcMap

ArcPro

Job description

HIRING RATE: $20.00/hour Full Time/Temporary Position: 40hrs/week October-May Schedule: Mon-Thu 6:00AM-4:30PM // Tue-Fri 6:00AM-4:30PM

JOB SUMMARY

City of Lakewood's Statement of Excellence The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

ABOUT COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Community Resources is committed to providing high quality park, recreation, family and cultural services and facilities that inspire enjoyment, learning and wellness in the lives of those who live, work and play in Lakewood.

We value leadership, integrity, communication and connection, diversity and adaptability.

The City of Lakewood is currently accepting applications for Variable Natural Resources Technician.

Under the general direction of the Natural Resources Specialist, provides natural resources protection, preservation and education, through natural surface trails, vegetation and wildlife management.

The City of Lakewood is currently recruiting variable employees for this position.

A variable employee is an at-will employee who works in a seasonal or temporary capacity. Their work schedule is based on business need.

This position would be a part-time non benefitted position. Starting pay $20.00/hour depending on qualifications.

MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintenance and construction of natural surface trails and trail amenities, including use of hand tools and mechanized equipment.
• Vegetation management and control of noxious weeds, including use of manual, chemical, and biological control methods.
• Ecological restoration and erosion control, including seeding, native plant propagation and installation.
• Responsible for greenhouse seeding, transplanting, pulling, harvesting seed, and maintaining various native plants.
• Assist with Aquatic Nuisances Species boat inspection and decontamination program as an ANS inspector.
• Informs and educates the public on the natural resources within the facilities and preservation philosophy of the department.
• Provides information to the public on the natural resources through public relation contacts, education programs, signs and written information.
• Manages wildlife by taking data (GIS, surveys, pictures, observation, taking reports), relocation of beavers, protecting resources from wildlife activities and building and maintaining wildlife habitat.
• Work with West Metro Fire Department on controlled burns and fire mitigation.
• Conduct fire mitigation in the form of fuels reduction on City Open Space properties.
• Communicates and updates co-workers and management of progress and problems.
• Provides a safe environment for recreation through upkeep of the facilities.
• Implements the city’s natural areas plan to protect Lakewood’s open spaces.
• Performs basic maintenance duties as needed or as assigned, including litter cleanup, trash emptying and restroom cleaning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must maintain and utilize City-provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when conducting activities where the employee is exposed to risks above those encountered in a traditional office setting. If injured on-the-job due to failure to utilize PPE a safety violation can be taken.

IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS

• Installs and removes park signs as needed.
• Upkeep of tools, vehicles and other natural resources equipment.
• Assists with programs, or presents, educational programs or information to the public.
• Data collection, input and organization on the natural resource computer.
• GPS data collection and mapping using Field Maps, ArcMap, and/or ArcPro.
• Leads volunteers on trail and restoration projects.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree, or course work leading to a degree, in natural resources related field is preferred.
• Previous experience in natural resources, or similar field, is highly preferred.
• Other park experience will be considered.
• Valid driver’s license, with good driving record.
• Valid CPR, AED and First Aid certification, State Aquatic Nuisance Species Certification. Certification must be completed within 2 months of hire date.
• Wildland Firefighter red card is preferred.
• State of Colorado pesticide applicator license preferred.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of native vegetation and Colorado noxious weed list species. Knowledge of Aquatic nuisance species in Colorado. Knowledge of natural resources base within the various parks. Knowledge of basic natural history of species within the parks. Excellent public relation skills (resolving conflicts). Ability to work with limited supervision in difficult and occasionally stressful situations. Ability to demonstrate leadership skills. Ability to work independently and as a team member. Ability to use a wide range of tools. Must be proficient with Microsoft office. Experience with Field Maps, Survey123 and/or ArcPro preferred. Background check required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Lifting and Carrying: Must be able to lift, carry and/or maneuver printed materials, rocks, signs, trash bags, hand tools that weigh up to 20 pounds on a frequent basis, up to waist level. Must occasionally lift the following that may weigh between 10 to 50 pounds: printed materials, rocks, tools, post pounders, signs, post removers, trash bags, bike, post-hole diggers, logs, seed, lumber and animal carcasses, up to waist level. Will occasionally lift with assistance (two-person or team lift), the following that may weigh 51 pounds and up: picnic tables, animal carcasses, logs, buoys, trash bags, canoes, seed bags. Pushing and Pulling: Must occasionally push and pull posts, fence and buoys, Must tow a variety of trailers using truck and hand crank. Body Positions: Work requires some sitting in both truck and in the office. Work requires frequent standing and walking. Work requires frequent moving about the park for up to 10 hours per day. Work requires frequent: pinching and gripping (when driving, pulling signs, working with tools and performing revenue duties): reaching for tools, ladders, materials, ect., frequent climbing in and out of vehicle and some climbing on ladders. Work requires frequent bending, kneeling, balancing, including during boat operations. Work requires occasional crawling as well as occasional maneuvering and/or balancing on ladders. Hiking through the parks over rough terrain. Manipulates tools, construction materials, printed materials, cash and computer. Some driving is done highway roads, residential roads and off-road. Hearing: Must be able to respond to telephone and in-person requests and to communicate via two-way radio. Vision: Uses vision to read written job-related information and to take natural resources observations.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS Must have basic mathematic knowledge for construction, wildlife observation, mapping and herbicide application duties. Must know and follow proper lifting procedures. Remember rules and regulations, policies, ect., or have ability to locate resources. Language Ability: Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing with visitors and city staff. May give programs and will interact occasionally with upset citizens. Reasoning: Must be able to take direction and follow instruction from supervisor. Must be able to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT Hours of work will vary but will include occasional weekends and holidays. Work is performed frequently in outdoor environment in all temperatures and weather conditions. Uses computer occasionally.

Pay Range $15.16-$19.61

EQUIPMENT USED PPE equipment specific to this position Motor Vehicles Two-way Radio Telephone Trailers Wildlife cameras Sprayers GPS units Computer Calculator Photocopier ATVS’s Basic hand and power tools Mowers Tractors Chainsaws Boats

Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.

Lakewood is full of possibilities for businesses, residents and visitors with innovative approaches, community collaboration, a strong financial foundation and healthy local economy. The city serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures while also providing a 10-minute commute to the heart of the metropolitan area. Much of Lakewood’s charm derives from neighborhoods as varied as horse properties, live/work units for artists, urban-style lofts and traditional homes. Lakewood has dedicated one-quarter of the land in the city to parks and open space, providing for a healthy, active lifestyle. The city also provides a comprehensive array of services, and we are home to global and national companies while also having a robust array of small businesses. We’re an All-America City connected to the metro area with the latest technology and multiple transportation options.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Access Lakewood

BENEFITS

• Medical Cigna HDHP with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Kaiser Permanente DHMO with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental Delta Dental PPO plus Premier Plan
• Vision Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Life Insurance Employees are covered for 1.5 times their annual base salary in life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, up to a maximum of $500,000 (the minimum benefit is $50,000). The city pays the cost of this coverage.
• Pension Our pension fund is a social security replacement, money purchase plan. Mandatory employee contribution is 11% of gross base salary; city contribution is 13% of gross base salary.
• Sick Leave Full-time employees earn 8 hours per month.
• Part-time employees earn 6 hours per month.
• Vacation Full-time employees with less than five years of service earn 8 hours per month. Part-time employees with less than five years of service earn 6 hours per month.
• City Holidays Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Deferred Compensation
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Injury Leave
• Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Military Leave
• Jury Duty
• Tuition Assistance
• Credit Union Recreation Facilities Employees are eligible for free general admission into the city’s recreation centers, swimming pools and Bear Creek Lake Park.
• Wellness Programs
• Value-Added Benefits