What are the responsibilities and job description for the Parks Natural Resources Management Specialist position at miOttawa.org?
Job Description
Under the supervision of the Stewardship Supervisor, works independently or with stewardship staff and performs tasks related to the conservation and restoration of Ottawa County Parks and Recreation's (OCPR) natural resources. Includes the implementation of the Stewardship Plan for the parks and open spaces, removal of invasive plant species through cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods including hand pulling, cut-stem, and foliar or basal bark applications, hand pulling, cutting invasive trees and shrubs, and applying foliar herbicide treatments. Participates in other land stewardship activities such as native plantings, invasive species and forest health survey, prescribed fire, and other natural resource related tasks. This is a primarily field-based position and applicant must be able to work effectively with a collaborative and dynamic team as well as independently.
This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Fillmore Complex in West Olive, MI. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Occasional travel to other County locations as needed.
Essential Job Functions
The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
- Works with Stewardship Technicians to implement the stewardship plan for County parks and open spaces.
- Removes invasive plants at various sites throughout the county by hand-pulling, cutting, and applying herbicides. Safely and responsibly applies pesticides for the control of invasive insects.
- Generates reports and compiles data to document onsite efforts, activities, and results including implementation of a monitoring program. Documents field work activities and maintains records of pesticide application adherent to MDARD regulations and state and federal law and to assist in task tracking for planning and grant reporting purposes.
- Performs other restoration tasks including site preparation, planting native seeds, plugs, and trees.
- Manages native greenhouse and native plant propagation.
- Conducts prescribed burns and prepares burn units, burn breaks, burn equipment, operates and maintains equipment (drip torches, pump units, water backpacks). Attends webinars, workshops, and other training events as needed and assigned.
- Networks and collaborates with regional and statewide partners on a variety of projects including HWA management, management of watch list species, and data management.
- Contributes to strategic planning and project management for natural resource related projects.
- Leads and supervises groups of volunteers, interns, and students in natural resources management tasks.
- Conducts educational programs for staff, volunteers, and the public related to natural resources management.
- Trains other natural resources management staff and parks staff as relevant.
- Conducts wildlife surveys and inventories including annual vernal pool survey.
- Participates in various parks construction projects, and other natural resource related amenities as directed by full-time staff.
- Operates outdoor machinery and equipment including hand tools, power tools, UTVs, tractors, and other vehicles.
- Performs other functions as assigned.
Required Education, Training and Experience
Associate's degree in a natural resource related program or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor's degree preferred.
Licenses and Certifications:
Will be required to obtain and maintain state certification as a pesticide applicator.
Must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license with the ability to drive a county vehicle.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Knowledge of best management practices for invasive species management, forest health management, and ecological restoration.
- Knowledge of natural resource management industry trends, methods, and emerging ecological threats.
- Thorough knowledge of the ecology of the Great Lakes region including native flora, fauna and natural communities; thorough knowledge of Michigan’s invasive species, their impacts and control methods; wildlife and wildlife management techniques;
- Working knowledge of the safe use, storage, application and disposal of pesticides, and maintaining knowledge of pesticide laws and regulations (e.g. annual application limits, ANC permits, NPEDS reporting, spray drift management, etc.).
- Working knowledge of safety guidelines, basic troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of equipment commonly used in land management including but not limited to tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (trenchers, mowers, chainsaws, grass/brush trimmers),backpack and boom sprayers, loppers, handsaws, shop equipment, UTVs, and boats.
- Working knowledge of OSHA/MIOSHA rules, regulations and requirements. Working knowledge of safety protocols and practices.
- Ability to assess situations and identify potential hazards in outdoor and remote working conditions.
- Experience with file storage and operations within the Microsoft suite (Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, etc.)
- Experience with geographic information system (GIS) mapping and use of global positioning system (GPS) as it relates to natural resources management.
- Must be willing and able to work outdoors in all conditions and perform labor-intensive tasks in dunes, forests, wetlands, fields, and other outdoor settings.
- Must be willing and able to perform labor-intensive work for extended periods of time.
- Must have sufficient visual activity, with or without corrective lenses to visually identify plants, animals and other natural resource elements in the field.
- Must be able to physically access all natural resource features and areas including trails, park grounds, dunes, wetlands, and other areas in the course of daily activities.
- Must be able to identify and work safely around irritant, poisonous, and toxic plants.
- Must have the ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including stooping, bending, lifting, operating equipment, and hiking long distances.
- Must be able to lift and move equipment and materials weighing up to 50 lbs. without mechanical or other assistance.
- Must be able to tolerate exposure to extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, pollen and other airborne particulates, and inclement weather conditions.
- Must have sufficient physical strength and dexterity to operate tools commonly used in natural resources land management, invasive plant removal, landscaping trades, and other related tasks.
- Must be able to tolerate exposure (with personal protective equipment) to pesticides and adjuvants routinely used in the control of invasive species.
- Must be able to tolerate exposure (with PPE) to smoke and high temperatures produced by propane torches and/or prescribed fire.
- Must be able to wear all required protective clothing and equipment
Working Conditions:
While performing the essential functions of this position the employee is exposed to moving mechanical hazards; electrical hazards; noxious fumes; smoke, dust, dirt, and other airborne particulates; inclement weather, including extreme temperatures, wind, rain and snow; poisonous and toxic plants, and other potential irritants; bloodborne pathogens; pesticides, adjuvants, cleaning compounds; solvents; detergents; noise; and other hazards. Evening and weekend hours may be required.
Disclaimer:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Job Description
Under the supervision of the Stewardship Supervisor, works independently or with stewardship staff and performs tasks related to the conservation and restoration of Ottawa County Parks and Recreation's (OCPR) natural resources. Includes the implementation of the Stewardship Plan for the parks and open spaces, removal of invasive plant species through cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods including hand pulling, cut-stem, and foliar or basal bark applications, hand pulling, cutting invasive trees and shrubs, and applying foliar herbicide treatments. Participates in other land stewardship activities such as native plantings, invasive species and forest health survey, prescribed fire, and other natural resource related tasks. This is a primarily field-based position and applicant must be able to work effectively with a collaborative and dynamic team as well as independently.
This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Fillmore Complex in West Olive, MI. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Occasional travel to other County locations as needed.
Essential Job Functions
The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
- Works with Stewardship Technicians to implement the stewardship plan for County parks and open spaces.
- Removes invasive plants at various sites throughout the county by hand-pulling, cutting, and applying herbicides. Safely and responsibly applies pesticides for the control of invasive insects.
- Generates reports and compiles data to document onsite efforts, activities, and results including implementation of a monitoring program. Documents field work activities and maintains records of pesticide application adherent to MDARD regulations and state and federal law and to assist in task tracking for planning and grant reporting purposes.
- Performs other restoration tasks including site preparation, planting native seeds, plugs, and trees.
- Manages native greenhouse and native plant propagation.
- Conducts prescribed burns and prepares burn units, burn breaks, burn equipment, operates and maintains equipment (drip torches, pump units, water backpacks). Attends webinars, workshops, and other training events as needed and assigned.
- Networks and collaborates with regional and statewide partners on a variety of projects including HWA management, management of watch list species, and data management.
- Contributes to strategic planning and project management for natural resource related projects.
- Leads and supervises groups of volunteers, interns, and students in natural resources management tasks.
- Conducts educational programs for staff, volunteers, and the public related to natural resources management.
- Trains other natural resources management staff and parks staff as relevant.
- Conducts wildlife surveys and inventories including annual vernal pool survey.
- Participates in various parks construction projects, and other natural resource related amenities as directed by full-time staff.
- Operates outdoor machinery and equipment including hand tools, power tools, UTVs, tractors, and other vehicles.
- Performs other functions as assigned.
Required Education, Training and Experience
Associate's degree in a natural resource related program or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor's degree preferred.
Licenses and Certifications:
Will be required to obtain and maintain state certification as a pesticide applicator.
Must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license with the ability to drive a county vehicle.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Knowledge of best management practices for invasive species management, forest health management, and ecological restoration.
- Knowledge of natural resource management industry trends, methods, and emerging ecological threats.
- Thorough knowledge of the ecology of the Great Lakes region including native flora, fauna and natural communities; thorough knowledge of Michigan’s invasive species, their impacts and control methods; wildlife and wildlife management techniques;
- Working knowledge of the safe use, storage, application and disposal of pesticides, and maintaining knowledge of pesticide laws and regulations (e.g. annual application limits, ANC permits, NPEDS reporting, spray drift management, etc.).
- Working knowledge of safety guidelines, basic troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of equipment commonly used in land management including but not limited to tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (trenchers, mowers, chainsaws, grass/brush trimmers),backpack and boom sprayers, loppers, handsaws, shop equipment, UTVs, and boats.
- Working knowledge of OSHA/MIOSHA rules, regulations and requirements. Working knowledge of safety protocols and practices.
- Ability to assess situations and identify potential hazards in outdoor and remote working conditions.
- Experience with file storage and operations within the Microsoft suite (Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, etc.)
- Experience with geographic information system (GIS) mapping and use of global positioning system (GPS) as it relates to natural resources management.
- Must be willing and able to work outdoors in all conditions and perform labor-intensive tasks in dunes, forests, wetlands, fields, and other outdoor settings.
- Must be willing and able to perform labor-intensive work for extended periods of time.
- Must have sufficient visual activity, with or without corrective lenses to visually identify plants, animals and other natural resource elements in the field.
- Must be able to physically access all natural resource features and areas including trails, park grounds, dunes, wetlands, and other areas in the course of daily activities.
- Must be able to identify and work safely around irritant, poisonous, and toxic plants.
- Must have the ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including stooping, bending, lifting, operating equipment, and hiking long distances.
- Must be able to lift and move equipment and materials weighing up to 50 lbs. without mechanical or other assistance.
- Must be able to tolerate exposure to extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, pollen and other airborne particulates, and inclement weather conditions.
- Must have sufficient physical strength and dexterity to operate tools commonly used in natural resources land management, invasive plant removal, landscaping trades, and other related tasks.
- Must be able to tolerate exposure (with personal protective equipment) to pesticides and adjuvants routinely used in the control of invasive species.
- Must be able to tolerate exposure (with PPE) to smoke and high temperatures produced by propane torches and/or prescribed fire.
- Must be able to wear all required protective clothing and equipment
Working Conditions:
While performing the essential functions of this position the employee is exposed to moving mechanical hazards; electrical hazards; noxious fumes; smoke, dust, dirt, and other airborne particulates; inclement weather, including extreme temperatures, wind, rain and snow; poisonous and toxic plants, and other potential irritants; bloodborne pathogens; pesticides, adjuvants, cleaning compounds; solvents; detergents; noise; and other hazards. Evening and weekend hours may be required.
Disclaimer:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
This position is benefited and is subject to the Group T manual.
Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Benefits Summary for more information.
The current Group T manual can be viewed here. The Ottawa County Universal Wage Scale can be found here.
**Part-time benefitted positions will recieve prorated benefits.
