Invasive Plant Technician
Bureau of Land Resources
Job Summary:
This is skilled work applying a variety of herbicides to control invasive aquatic and terrestrial vegetation.
Job duties include:
· Measures, mixes, and safely applies herbicide spray mixtures pursuant to label directions to selectively control infestations of aquatic and terrestrial vegetation; assists with the calibration of herbicide application equipment; posts warning signs in treated areas to inform the public of any water use or re-entry restrictions; operates computerized herbicide delivery system, airboats with injection systems and batch system, ATVs and pickups with batch systems and back-pack sprayers; makes some on-site decisions on methods of application for control of target vegetation, weather conditions, and other environmental issues.
· Loads and operates boats, trucks, ATVs and trailers with safety gear, herbicides, and other necessary equipment; unloads and cleans vehicles and equipment at the end of the day.
· Assists in the management of District lands by participating in prescribed burning or suppressing wildfires. Operates fire equipment; including, engines, dozers, airboats, ATV's and marsh masters during prescribed burns and while suppressing wildfires; marking boundaries; participating in silvicultural activities.
· Conducts inspection of District Conservation Areas and public waterbodies in order to locate infestations of invasive plants and post-treatment inspections for effectiveness of control methods.
· Attends application training and safety classes to learn necessary information to receive certification; attends training and safety classes to maintain necessary certification and remain current on advances in the field technology and changes in state and federal rules and regulations.
· Operates airboats, kickerboats, towboats, chain saws, small hand tools, and portable winch in the mechanical removal of vegetation jams, tussocks, and fallen trees which block navigation, access, and water control structures; enters water to remove snags, debris, or other obstacles when necessary.
· Modifies and makes field repairs to boats, ATVs, trailers, and application equipment.
· Maintains some public contact to address concerns, explain water use restrictions, and disseminate information about the program.
· Records amount and types of herbicides and related chemicals used, areas treated, environmental conditions on required state, federal, and District forms. Forms include associated paperwork and entry of data in District's Access Database for Invasive Plants.
Minimum Qualifications:
A high school diploma or G.E.D., two years of natural resource management experience; or formal education in a related field such as natural resource management, agriculture, or weed science may substitute for work experience.
Must have a valid Florida Driver's License, A valid State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Restricted Use Pesticide License with Aquatics and Natural Areas category certificates must be obtained within six months of employment.
This position requires working in and around water bodies. Applicant must have ability to endure harsh outdoor environments alone in uncomfortable temperatures, inclement weather, and remote locations. Ability to operate, or learn to operate, various type of vehicles to access sites, e.g. outboard motor boat, kayak, airboat, ATV and four-wheel drive truck.
SJRWMD has determined this to be a mandatory-testing position as described in Section 440.102, Florida Statutes. Any offer of employment for a mandatory-testing position will be contingent upon successfully passing a drug screening paid by SJRWMD. The SJRWMD Drug Free Workplace Program is available for review in the Careers section at www.sjrwmd.com.
Additional Details:
Base Salary: $30,992.00
Your application will receive careful consideration and, if selected for an interview, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment. St. Johns River Water Management District participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the Unites States.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans’ Preference/Drug-Free and Tobacco-Free Workplace
Office location: Palatka
Closing Date: October 24, 2018