What are the responsibilities and job description for the VAR Natural Resources - Noxious Weeds Technician position at City of Lakewood, CO?
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: $25.00/hour dependent upon qualifications.
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 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.
The City of Lakewood is currently accepting applications for Variable Natural Resources Technician – Noxious Weeds Technician. Under the general direction of the Natural Resources Specialist, this position conducts control and management of noxious weeds utilizing IPM methods.
Schedule – 40 hours/wk, Mon-Thurs 6:00AM-4:30PM or Tues-Fri 6:00AM-4:30PM with occasional mandatory holiday and weekend work
MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Vegetation management and control of noxious weeds, including use of manual, chemical, and biological control methods.
- Collects data pertaining to the location, area and canopy of weed populations in all City of Lakewood Open Space parks and parcels.
- Ecological restoration and erosion control, including seeding, native plant propagation and installation.
- 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.
- Operate, maintain, repair and calibrate equipment
- Communicates updates to co-workers and management of progress and problems.
- Implements the city’s natural areas plan to protect Lakewood’s open spaces.
- 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.
- Upkeep of tools, vehicles and other natural resources equipment.
- Data collection, input and organization.
- GPS data collection and mapping using Field Maps, ArcMap, and/or ArcPro.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
A bachelor’s degree, or course work leading to a degree, in natural resources related field is preferred.
Experience:
Previous experience in natural resources, or similar field, is highly preferred. Other park experience will be considered.
Licensure/Certification/Registration:
- Valid driver’s license, with good driving record.
- Valid CPR, AED and First Aid certification.
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State of Colorado Department of Agriculture Qualified Supervisor or Certified Operator pesticide license.
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License in any or all the following categories preferred:
- 107 – Rangeland Pest Control
- 108 – Aquatic Pest Control
- 109 – Industrial and Right-of-Way Weed Control
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License in any or all the following categories preferred:
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of native vegetation and Colorado 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.
- Experience with Field Maps, ArcMap, and/or ArcPro preferred.
- Experience with Survey 123 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, etc.., 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 mapping and herbicide application duties.
Must know and follow proper lifting procedures.
Remember rules and regulations, policies, etc.., 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.
Frequently handles hazardous materials, i.e. herbicides.
May require walking on steep slopes with backpack sprayers, shovels, etc.
EQUIPMENT USED
PPE equipment specific to this position
Motor Vehicles
Two-way Radio
Telephone
Trailers
Wildlife cameras
Sprayers
GPS units
Computer
Calculator
ATVS’s
Basic hand and power tools
Mowers
Tractors
Chainsaws
Boats
Pay Range
Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.
Salary : $25
