Natural Resources Coordinator

Job Description

The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department is seeking a Natural Resources Specialist to join the Nature Preserves and Programs Team at Durant and Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve. This position is a permanent part-time position and is directly responsible for assisting the Park Manger in planning, coordinating, and implementing natural resource management while supporting park operations and education in the Preserves. This role collaborates frequently with others in the Durant and Horseshoe Farm team as well as throughout the Nature Preserves and Program Team.

About the Preserves:
Durant Nature Preserve (237 acres) and Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve (146 acres) have a goal of protecting and preserving the area’s significant natural resources and providing nature-based recreation and environmental education experiences. This position will be based out of Durant Nature Preserve while job duties will be performed at both sites.

About Our Team:

The Nature Preserves and Programs Team is part of the City’s Natural Resources Unit, which is devoted to connecting people and nature through experiences, conservation, and education and is comprised of 3 Nature Preserves, 1 Nature Park, the Environmental Education Programs & Support Office, and the Land Stewardship Program. Diverse views and experiences make us strong. We look for candidates with both experience and skills who work well in teams, innovate in a rapidly changing world, and believe in inclusion and diversity. Working for The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resource Department and the Natural Resources Unit will allow you to make a positive impact in our community as you help shape future generations and growing your career.

Work Hours:
In addition to weekday work, this position will be expected to work 1-2 weekend days a month, or more, depending on seasonal needs.

This role works 25 hours per week as a Permanent Part-Time position and contributes to the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (LGERS) at a 6% employee contribution in addition to eligibility for 401k/457 retirement plans.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist Preserve Manager in the planning of natural resource management for both preserves and oversee the implementation of resource management projects and tasks in all seasons. These projects may include the use of chainsaws, herbicide application, prescribed burning, mowing, and other applicable tools.
• Collaborate with Preserve Manager in hiring, recruitment, training, and supervision of temporary part-time staff and volunteers in natural resource activities.
• Document natural resource management work actions and data collected on biotic resources.
• Contributes to overall park operations, including opening and closing procedures, and facility rentals.
• Supports educational programming and public outreach for the preserves and for other City of Raleigh, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resource sites as needed, including supporting program animal care.
• Provides customer service by assisting users of the preserve, providing information, educating about rules and standards of conduct, observing necessary precautions to ensure safety of all users, and rendering first aid in case of minor injury.
• Works as a team member of the Natural Resources Unit of the Parks and Natural Resources Division to further the mission of the Department.
• Drives the on-site utility vehicles or trucks to complete projects around the preserves.
• Supports the City of Raleigh with clean-up and repair during inclement weather situations

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in biology, forestry, natural resource management, urban forestry, conservation biology, environmental science, parks and recreation, or similar field directly related to assignment and two years of directly related experience

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Licensing and Certifications:

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• First AID/CPR/AED training, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire (provided by City of Raleigh).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of experience in natural resource work.
• Experience in a park, nature center, or similar public setting.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience with chainsaws, mowers, sprayers, and prescribed burning.

Additional Information

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Best practices in natural resource management.
• Field data collection techniques, including GIS.
• North Carolina flora and fauna.
• Environmental education and methods of instruction.
• Effective public and internal communication abilities, both orally and in writing.
• Gathering data, analyzing findings, and articulating issues and recommendations.
• Tracking progress and maintaining efficient and accurate records in addition to multi-tasking under deadlines, coordinating these deadlines and prioritizing competing demands.
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Working both independently and as part of a team with attention to detail, planning, prioritization, and organization.

ADA and Other Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Medium Work:
Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Working Conditions:
Work is performed in both the field and in an indoor office environment with frequent exposure to hazardous physical conditions (such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, etc.); frequent exposure to atmospheric conditions (such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, etc.); moderate exposure to hazardous materials (such as chemicals, blood and other body fluids); frequent exposure to environmental conditions (such as disruptive people, imminent danger, or a threatening environment); frequent exposure to extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting and movement restrictions; and moderate exposure to intense noise or travel.

Note:
This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.