What are the responsibilities and job description for the Biological Technician I position at Pasco County, FL?
JOIN OUR TEAM AS A BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN I!
Provides entry to intermediate level work for the Natural Resources division-within the Parks Recreation & Natural Resources department, in the field of natural resources management including land management, biological/ecological assessments, wildlife monitoring, volunteer coordination, educational program development and public outreach.
Essential Job Functions
Entry-level position which conducts routine land management duties assisting the Land Manager on a regularly scheduled basis on lands managed under the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program within the Natural Resources Division. Primary work includes semi-skilled labor and tasks using hand and power tools, light and heavy duty maintenance equipment, prescribed burning activities, and application of mechanical and chemical invasive plant treatments. Cleans, mows, edges, trims and generally maintains grounds, trails, and recreation areas. Plants, prunes, and trims bushes, shrubs, and trees. Assists with general site maintenance such as emptying trash, cleaning, painting, repairing gates, fences, and irrigation. Assists the Land Manager with wildlife and vegetation surveys, site security inspections, and routine maintenance inspections. Aids in maintaining data collected from surveys, inspections, and produces documentation as needed. Performs related work as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- General knowledge of land management principles and methods related.
- Know, identify, or learn to identify Florida ecosystem's including their flora and fauna, non-living components and their biological and ecological functions.
- Able to use and maintain hand and power tools needed for evaluating and managing lands.
- General knowledge of herbicides, their physical application, safety precautions, mixing, and rate of application.
- General knowledge of federal, state and local regulations pertaining to wetland protection and listed species.
- Requires effective interaction and communication with the public necessary for carrying out educational outreach programs with the emphasis on natural resources.
- Ability to organize and effectively communicate with volunteers.
- Requires strong writing skills with the ability to prepare reports.
- Basic computer skills, including word processing, data entry, scanning and mapping software.
- Ability to operate a County vehicle both on and off the road including 4x4 vehicles, ATVs, tractors and other land management equipment.
- Ability to read for comprehension.
- Knowledge and understanding of Florida ecosystems as to their components, functions, key characteristics and land management principles or aptitude to learn such principles.
- General knowledge of herbicides, their physical application, safety precautions, mixing, and rate of application.
- Ability to identify or learn to identify upland and wetland biota.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
Minimum Requirements
PHYSICAL SKILLS: Requires working outdoors in a wide variety of natural settings and conditions. Ability to walk, bend, squat and stoop frequently. Able to perform manual labor. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written, and visual communication.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from and accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Nature Resource Management or a related field and one (1) year of field experience OR an Associate degree and three (3) years of field experience OR a High School Diploma and five (5) years' of field experience.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.
ADA STATEMENT: A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES: All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES: All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.
PASCO COUNTY WAS VOTED ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP WORK PLACES FOR 2021
Benefits include:
- Florida Retirement System (FRS) retirement plan
- PTO (Paid Time Off)
- Paid holidays
- Group insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deferred compensation
- Medical leave pool
- Annual medical leave buy-back
- Mid-management/Professional grade, and management personnel may receive 40 hours of admin leave per calendar year.
Effective July 1, 2011, FRS members must contribute 3% of their salary as retirement contributions, on a pre-tax basis (the salary is reduced by the amount of the employee contribution before determining the federal income tax deduction). The employer will automatically deduct the employee contributions.
