Natural Resources Management Specialist - 051554
SALARY:$16.74 /Hour
OPENING DATE:01/04/18
CLOSING DATE:01/26/18 05:00 PM
JOB SUMMARY:
This is a multi-disciplinary position in the St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department's (ERD) Natural Resources Management Division. Responsibilities and job functions include land management, construction and maintenance of passive recreational infrastructure/amenities on the County's publicly owned and managed conservation lands. Position assists the land manager and coordinator staff with land management operations including prescribed burning and wildland fire operations. Fire operations include site and equipment preparation, clearing and maintenance of firebreaks, mechanical treatments of vegetation (including roller chopping, forestry mowing, etc.), and educating and notifying public prior to and after fires. Position also requires heavy equipment operation, involvement in habitat enhancement/restoration projects, invasive plant removal, native replanting projects, site inspections, assisting with implementation of local, state, and federal regulations in the field, maintaining property fencing and boundaries ensuring they are in good condition and posted and patrolled regularly; preparing and presenting work products in the form of maps, charts, graphs, computer printouts, and written reports; assisting with planning and development for various projects and operations; project management including preparation of scopes-of-work, seeking contractor quotes and bids, assisting with pre-bid meetings, development of project schedule, and project quality control/oversight; coordination with other departments and outside agencies; assisting the organization with the preservation and protection of existing natural systems; development of policies and procedures specific to field operations and maintenance; seeking partnerships to assist with implementing the goals of the department and overall organization; collection of field data and maintenance of databases; and inventorying and scheduling preventative maintenance and of ERD's vehicle fleet, light and heavy equipment, facilities and other resources. Participates with crew in field and fire operations. Performs other assignments as requested or assigned.
This position reports to the Natural Resources Operations Coordinator.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS NEEDED IN ORDER TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Knowledge: Basic principles in land management; equipment (heavy and light), machinery, and field tool (i.e.; chainsaw) operation, safety standards, and maintenance; wildland fire operations; Florida's flora and fauna and ecosystems; natural and historical/archeological resource-based protection measures and management; local, state and federal legislation, permitting requirements, and programs pertaining to Florida's natural and historical/archeological resources, ecosystem protection, restoration projects, and improvements on natural areas; invasive plant management and herbicide use; developing and implementing passive recreation/ecotourism programs and interpreting natural and historic resources for public environmental education; both small and large scale project planning, development, management, monitoring and reporting; County grant requirements and contract procedures; ICS and NIMS operations (including chain-of-command); basic life saving techniques; ecological/field monitoring, data collection and evaluation techniques; conflict resolution; public engagement; and computer programs, including Microsoft Office and GIS.
Abilities: Foster teamwork and work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, support organizational goals, resolve issues, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness; to perform as a member of a highly coordinated & skilled Fire Operations team; work under stressful conditions in smoky and hot environment; work with and communicate effectively (in writing and verbally) with others; safely operate and use heavy equipment, machinery, and hand tools; manage, plan, organize, implement and evaluate programs, and performance measures, and meet deadlines; lead and manage staff, volunteers, and contractors; work independently and show appropriate initiative to overcome challenges; establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact in a positive, professional manner with employees, colleagues, agencies, organizations, and the general public; build partnerships and networks; prepare periodic and annual progress reports; work a flexible schedule as needed, including some weekends and evenings; and interpret complex data, conduct short and long-range natural resources planning, recognize and solve natural resource management issues, complete land/vegetation metrics, and maintain complex records; effectively represent the organization to local, state, and federal officials and the general public on land management procedure and technical matters; present technical information, ideas and recommendations clearly and succinctly in written and verbal form; develop long-term and short-term plans; demonstrate sensitivity to political, social and fiscal constraints regarding planning issues, projects and programs; and understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.
Skills: Wildland fire operations and incident command; operation and basic maintenance of and use of tools, machinery, and equipment for land management, field work, and construction (e.g.; forestry mowers, dozers, chippers, chainsaws, tractors and implements, ATVs, and herbicide applicators); basic construction and carpentry skills; herbicide use and application; oral and written communication skills, including public speaking; time-management skills; office software computer skills (e.g. Outlook and Word) and mapping and data-entry computer software skills (e.g. Excel, Arc GIS); use of GPS mapping and positioning equipment; GPS; site assessment, data collection and evaluation techniques; read and comprehend maps, aerial photography, surveys, plans and construction documents; make decisions and multitask during emergency or non-emergency situations, during fire operations, other incidents, and project oversight; and implement and oversee various projects and operations from start to finish.
Physical Requirements: The position will require some heavy manual labor. Use of both arms and legs, good vision and hearing with or without correction. Frequent walking, standing, lifting and carrying (30 to 50 pounds), reaching above shoulders, kneeling, bending and squatting and the ability to tolerate outside working conditions and stressful environments for extended amounts of time throughout the year. Ability to operate a County automobile, boat, machinery and other light and heavy equipment.
TESTING: This position requires employees to pass an annual fitness test/pack test pulmonary function test, and a respiratory fit test.
Work Hazards: Extended work in the field under all weather conditions. Work around all types of machinery and motorized equipment. Exposure to herbicides, insects, toxic plants, wildlife, heat, smoke and fire. Inherent risk of injury while participating in physical activity. Exposure to summer sun and heat, smoke and prescribed fire.
Safety Equipment Used: Automobile safety belt. All personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically required per ANSI & OSHA standards and departmental standards for machinery, equipment and tool use requirements. Chainsaw: chaps, helmet with face shield & ear protection and safety goggles. During participation with wildland fire activities: full or half piece respirator, fire helmet, fire coat & pants, gloves, boots & fire pack with shelter. If administering CPR or First Aid: medical gloves, etc.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Associate's Degree in biology, botany, forestry or other natural resource related degree required six (6) years of experience in the land management field may be substituted for minimum requirement.
Experience: A minimum of four (4) years' experience in land management and wildland fire operations (both prescribed fire and wildfire response). Experience with herbicide application, prescribed burning, equipment operation and construction preferred. An equal amount of training and related experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.
Licenses, Certifications and Registrations: Must possess a valid "Class B" Florida Commercial Driver's License and a Wildland Firefighter (130/190) certification required. CPR/First aid certification required within six (6) months of hire. Natural area and wetland herbicide applicator licenses preferred.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Pay Grade 15
PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING: This position requires a physical, drug testing, driver's license verification and level 1 background screening.