Natural Resources Temp

POSTING TYPE: Open-competitive
DEPARTMENT: Operations Management - Parks
HOURS: Full-time, temporary up to 6 months
HIRING RANGE: $18.00 - 20.00/hour depending on qualifications
LOCATION: Will vary based on project, sites may include: Lebanon Hills Regional Park Maintenance Facility, Spring Lake Park Reserve Maintenance Facility, Western Service Center and/or teleworking.
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: This posting will remain open until all available temporary positions are filled for the 2025 spring/summer season. Apply early as the first review of applications will occur on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Dakota County is seeking seasonal Natural Resource Temps who are enthusiastic about natural resources. The individual(s) must be motivated to perform skilled work, coordinate tasks, and provide assistance with the implementation of natural resource restoration and stewardship projects for the Parks Department.  

This posting will be used to fill seven Natural Resource Temp positions for the upcoming spring/summer season to work primarily in one of four 'tracks':

1. Vegetation Surveying and Monitoring 
2. Wildlife Surveying and Monitoring
3. Native Plant Propagation
4. Land Management

The successful candidate(s) will work closely with County Natural Resources staff, other seasonal technicians, volunteers.

Dakota County welcomes and is inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and perspectives. The County aims to reflect the community it serves and fosters an equitable and respectful working environment where everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves.

• Two years of pertinent coursework working towards a degree in forestry, botany, natural resource management, wildlife management or a closely related field AND 6 months of hands-on natural resource experience; the work experience may have been earned as a volunteer, intern or direct employment.

OR

• A combination of education and direct work experience to equal or exceed 2.5 years.  Combination must be directly related to forestry, botany, natural resource management, and/or wildlife management.

AND
• Valid Driver's License

Desired Experience (varies based on track):
• Familiarity with ArcGIS products such as ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, etc. 
• Direct work experience in, and knowledge of, prairies, forests and/or wetlands
• Advanced plant identification skills
• Wildlife handling, monitoring and identifying (e.g., herptiles, birds, insects, fish, and small mammals)
• Experience working with hand tools and small power tools
• Experience with plant propagation best practices
• Working with volunteers; providing informal natural resources interpretation to the public
• Working with Excel spreadsheets
• Strong written and verbal communication skillsThese examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions. 

For this 6-month position, the following tasks will be performed:
Vegetation Surveying and Monitoring Track - (1 position available) This track will include tasks such as conducting and recording relevés, transects, photo monitoring, and plant community inventories; preparing, mounting, and submitting herbarium specimens for new County records.

Wildlife Surveying and Monitoring Track - (0 positions available) This track will include tasks such as: trapping and handling turtles, small mammals, snakes, salamanders, bees, and butterflies, as well as surveying for bats, anurans, and birds, and also setting up trail cameras. Work directly with bison technician to perform the following tasks as needed: weekly monitoring of bison herd, surveillance and maintenance of fence and gates, record keeping. Assists with wildlife program efforts such as: improving habitat for wildlife, developing and implementing new survey methods, and assisting with deer management program.

Native Plant Propagation Track - (2 positions available)This track will include tasks such as:  Oversee and perform all aspects of seeding and maintenance of plants in the geen house. This may include seeding and transplanting seedlings, regulating greenhouse growing conditions, removing invasive weed species, maintaining greenhouse facilities, watering plants, etc. 

Land Management Track (4 positions available) – This track will include tasks such as: Invasive species control through land management techniques including herbicide application, weed whipping, hand weeding, prescribed burning, etc; landscape improvements such as planting trees, shrubs, herbaceous plant plugs, seeding, etc. 

All Tracks will perform other duties as assigned. These may include:

• Creating maps using ESRI mapping tools
• Data collection, entry, analysis and interpretation using Excel and R Studio 
• Report writing and presentations
• Updating pertinent databases with newly found County records
• Performing natural resource restoration duties (i.e. installing native plants, seeding, prescribed burning, invasive species control/management, native plant propagation, erosion control)
• Collecting and cleaning seed, planting
• Assisting with project communication to the public
• Assisting with restoration project administration
• Monitoring and reporting on work progress, site conditions, and quality of work
• Keeping supervisor informed of issues as they arise, project status, and material or equipment needs
• Assisting with native plant propagation efforts
• Training and directing volunteers in the safe and proficient operation of tools and specialized equipment 
• Acting as lead to volunteers to help plan and schedule work
• Other related work as assigned

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: All duties are essential functions.• Knowledge of practices, functions and procedures for skilled, complex and specialized natural resources restoration tasks.
• Knowledge of safety rules, regulations and practices. Ability to proficiently and safely operate light equipment, power tools and vehicles.
• Knowledge in the management and identification of Minnesota native and invasive plant species including: trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses, sedges, rushes, and ferns/fern allies.
• Knowledge in the management and identification of Minnesota native wildlife species.
• Ability to organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of peers and volunteers.
• Ability to work with other department staff and programs.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, public officials and the general public.
• Ability to analyze needs and problems related to natural resource restoration and stewardship.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read, understand maps, plans and other graphics used to communicate tasks.
• Ability to work with Excel spreadsheets, R Studio, ESRI mapping software, and GIS/GPS equipment
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather and terrain conditions

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications 
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct reference checks, background checks, physicals, and drug screen before hiring

Salary : $18 - $20