Variable Natural Resources Technician - Winter

S. Allison Pkwy., Lakewood, CO; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Lakewood is seeking a Variable Natural Resources Technician to maintain trails, manage vegetation, and educate the public about Lakewood's natural resources. This seasonal, part-time position requires a valid driver’s license, CPR/AED/First Aid, and relevant certifications within 2 months of hire.

The role includes fieldwork outdoors and collaboration on fire mitigation projects. Starting pay is $20.00/hour with schedule options Mon-Thu or Tue-Fri, 6:00 AM–4:30 PM, seasonal

Qualifications

• Knowledge of native vegetation and Colorado noxious weed list species.
• Knowledge of Aquatic nuisance species in Colorado.
• Excellent public relation skills and ability to work with the public.
• Ability to lead volunteers and work with limited supervision.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance and construction of natural surface trails and trail amenities.
• Vegetation management and control of noxious weeds.
• Ecological restoration and erosion control.
• Greenhouse seeding, transplanting, and maintaining native plants.
• Assist with ANS boat inspection and decontamination program.
• Educate the public on natural resources and preservation philosophy.
• Manage wildlife data and relocation activities.
• Collaborate on fire mitigation with West Metro Fire Department.
• Walkways, tools, PPE upkeep and safety compliance.
• Lead volunteers on trail and restoration projects.
• GPS data collection and mapping using Field Maps/ArcPro.

Skills

Public relations

Leadership

GIS data collection

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural resources

Job description

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.**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:*** 40 hours/wk, Mon-Thurs 6:00AM-4:30PM or Tues-Fri 6:00AM-4:30PM with occasional mandatory holiday and weekend work* 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. **EQUIPMENT USED**PPE equipment specific to this positionMotor VehiclesTwo-way RadioTelephoneTrailersWildlife camerasSprayersGPS unitsComputerCalculatorPhotocopierATVS’sBasic hand and power toolsMowersTractorsChainsawsBoats**Pay Range**$15.16-$19.61