Seasonal Natural Resource Assistant

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Natural Resource Technician
Reports To: Director of Natural Resources
FLSA Status: Fulltime/Nonexempt (Hourly)
Location: Central Shop
Starting Wage: $18.06 - $21.82 - DOQ
Employer pays 85% of medical/dental insurance premium
10 vacation days after 1st year anniversary (may use 5 days after 6 months)
12 sick days per year (2 of which may be used as personal days)
8 holidays – 5 floating holidays
Amenities include free golf/cart rental, camping, shelterhouse rental and permits

PURPOSE. To restore ecological conditions that will sustain and preserve native plant and animal communities in the county’s prairies, wetlands and woodlands. Works with other agency staff and volunteers to remove invasive and exotic vegetation, propagating native plant species, and in some cases reintroduce native wildlife and plants in order to maintain the biodiversity of some of Winnebago County’s high quality open spaces.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions unless undue hardship and/or a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the individual or others may result:

• Habitat restoration – preparing, mowing, seeding
• Supervising volunteers, seasonal, and full-time employees – overseeing projects
• Seed harvesting – prairie, woodland, wetland
• Herbicide treating of undesirable vegetation
• Prescribed burning of designated areas to be restored
• Tree cutting and brush removal
• Preparing permits, reports, mapping
• Working with special interest groups – Boy Scouts, garden clubs, talks, education
• Vegetation monitoring – transects, enclosures
• Monitoring and maintaining nest boxes
• Loads, operates, transports and maintains skid steers, tractors and other related equipment in order to perform loading, hauling, grading of soils, mulch and aggregate, along with loading, hauling, moving trees and brush and/or related materials and supplies in a safe and appropriate manner
• Maintaining, operating, and transporting equipment
• Fish shocking, stocking
• Helping restore natural areas in county right-of-ways
• Goose banding, wildlife surveying and deer management
• Tree planting
• Trail construction
• Maintains a working knowledge of and adheres to all risk management and safety programs and procedures
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality
• Completes all other duties as requested

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED FOR THE ROLE. Must have a full working knowledge of arboriculture, horticulture, and land preservation. Working knowledge of conservation techniques and principles. Must have excellent people and communication skills.

QUALIFICATIONS. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Must have a valid Driver’s License.
• Must currently have a valid Class A CDL, or must have the ability to obtain and maintain within six (6) months of hire/placement.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Illinois Pesticide Applicator’s License within six (6) months of hire/placement.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE. Bachelor's degree in Restoration Ecology, Horticulture, Biology,
Environmental Science or other relevant field is required. Related field experience is preferred. Basic knowledge of mapping software such as ArcGIS and WinGIS is highly desirable.

LANGUAGE SKILLS. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT. Operates and maintains light and heavy-duty trucks, lawn mowers
(riding and push), trailers, tractors, skid steers, loaders, wood chippers, chain saws, boats, canoes, and all other related horticulture hand and power tools. Requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other job- related computer operating skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions unless undue hardship and/or a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the individual or others may result. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Must be able to drive a vehicle.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

October 2022

Job Type: Temporary

Pay: $18.06 - $21.82 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $22