Variable Natural Resources Tech

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 RANGE : $19.00 / hr

JOB SUMMARY

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities)

Builds and maintains the city's soft surface trail system through leading volunteer groups and individual trail work.

Controls the city's weed problems through spraying, pulling, mapping, biological control releases and mowing noxious weeds on the states weed list.

Maintains native vegetation through staff and volunteer reclamation projects.

Assists with the Aquatic Nuisance Species boat inspection and decontamination program as an ANS inspector one or two days a week.

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 relations contacts, education programs, signs and written information.

Manages wildlife by taking data (GIS, pictures, observations, taking reports), relocation of Prairie dogs, protecting resources from wildlife activities and building and maintaining wildlife habitat.

Work with west metro fire department on controlled burns and fire mitigation.

Provides a safe environment for recreation through upkeep of the facilities, educating the public through public relation contacts, signs, and written information.

Collects data pertaining to trail use, land use and wildlife. Performs statistical analysis on the data collected.

Implements the city's natural areas plan to protect Lakewood's Regional Parks.

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 resources computer.

GPS data collection and mapping using Field Maps and ArcPro.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Supervision Received :

Receives general supervision from the Natural Resources Specialist.

Supervision Given :

Volunteers and contracted groups on trail restoration and fire mitigation projects.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Education :

A bachelors degree, or course work leading to a degree, in a 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, State Aquatic Nuisance Species Certification (will be provided if not already held). Certifications must be completed within 2 months of hire date.

Wild land firefighter red card is preferred.

State of Colorado pesticide applicator license preferred.

OSI Trail Crew Leader Certification preferred.

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 with the various facilities. Knowledge of basic natural history of species within the facility.

Excellent public relations skills (dealing with complaints).

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 ArcPropreferred.

Background check required.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

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 and 50 pounds : printed materials, rocks, tools, post pounders, signs, post removers, trash bags, bike, post-hole diggers, logs, bird 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, body weight for water rescues / medical incidents.

Pushing and Pulling :

Must occasionally push and pull posts fences and buoys. Must tow a variety of trailers using truck and hand crank.

Must be able to use basic rescue equipment including tossing a throw bag or ring, and pulling body weight.

Must be able to trailer a boat; load and unload a 15-foot boat into water; operate boat in all types of weather conditions.

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 parks 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.

Requires occasional pushing to set posts and fences and trailering boats and equipment and occasional pulling of buoys.

Strenuous hiking through the parks.

Work may include running or swimming in emergency situations.

Manipulates tools, construction materials, printed materials, and computer.

Some driving is done on 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, to patrol grounds, and to take natural resources observations.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mathematics :

Must have basic mathematic knowledge for measurements, construction and herbicide application duties.

Remembering :

Must know and follow proper lifting procedures.

Remember rules and regulations, city ordinances, 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 weekends, holidays and nights.

Work is performed frequently in outdoor environment in all temperatures and weather conditions.

Uses computer occasionally.

EQUIPMENT USED

Motor Vehicles

Two-way Radio

Telephone

Trailers

Wildlife cameras

Sprayers

GPS units

Computer

Calculator

Photocopier

ATV's

Basic hand and power tools

Pay Range

14.81-$18.29

Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable / seasonal positions.

Salary : $15 - $18