Natural Resources Technician (20462506)

SUMMARY

Under direction, performs a variety of duties involving the enforcement of land use laws and regulations. Performs a variety of routine general maintenance for District parks and open space areas and facilities; ensures areas and facilities are available for use and consistently maintained in a safe and clean condition. Provides a wide range of activities in the management, enhancement, and protection of the District’s natural and cultural resources; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from higher-level supervisory staff. Leads and directs lower-level staff and volunteers.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Natural Resources Ranger is responsible for performing duties involving the enforcement of land use laws and regulations, performing general maintenance tasks, and providing resources and information to patrons. This position is expected to perform a range of professional and technical resource management work, including coordinating natural and cultural resource management programs and conducting studies and field observations to assess the status of natural and cultural resources. Performance requires ability to work independently with initiative and discretion within established guidelines. This classification is distinguished from the Field Supervising Ranger in that the latter serves in a lead capacity over Open Space and is responsible for performing the more complex work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs a variety of duties involving the enforcement of land use laws and regulations.
• Coordinates projects and programs involved in the management, enhancement, and protection of the District’s natural and cultural resources by assessing their status through field observation and research.
• Performs resource management tasks, including, but not limited to, identifying, controlling, and removing invasive plants and animals, and identifying habitat concerns; installs habitat enhancement features.
• Conducts research and gathers information regarding site conditions; surveys field sites for flora, fauna, and other wildlife; assists in the development and implementation of resource management restoration plans for specific areas and preserves.
• Provides technical assistance on assigned resource management projects.
• Operates and maintains a variety of vehicles, tools, and equipment, such as, emergency patrol vehicles, enforcement tools and restraining devices, power saws, brush cutters, sprayers, mowing tractors, all-terrain vehicles, and various tools required for enforcement, patrol, construction, and maintenance duties.
• Adheres to fire prevention policies; provides support for controlled burns and various emergency services, such as wildland fire suppression, search and rescue, and medical response; controls traffic and monitors affected areas to ensure the safety of the public and staff as needed.
• Performs administrative tasks, such as attending and scheduling meetings, preparing reports, and maintaining records.
• Attends trainings, workshops, and classes related to job duties.
• Assists with District special events as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED, supplemented by two years or 60 units of college level coursework in ecology, biology, wildlife, or a related field;

AND

• Two years of relevant experience in evaluating, surveying, or monitoring of natural resource systems.

OR

• Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of resource management, including weed management and habitat restoration.
• Operational characteristics of a variety of tools and equipment.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Basic wildlife, vegetation, and geographic features found in District parks.
• Relevant natural and cultural history.
• Outdoor recreation skills related to camping, biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
• Methods and techniques of wildland resource protection and restoration.
• Local wildlife, flora, and fauna in assigned geographic locations.
• Methods and techniques of capturing and transporting domestic and wild animals, as well as their care and maintenance.
• Relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Principles and practices of recordkeeping.
• Principles and practices for providing high level of customer service.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications.

Ability to:

• Perform emergency medical aid, fire suppression, search and rescue, and other response and prevention activities.
• Perform a variety of general maintenance and repair work.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Provide natural, cultural, and historical interpretive programs.
• Speak effectively in public.
• Safely and effectively use, operate, and maintain tools and equipment.
• Read, interpret, and apply technical information from maps, manuals, drawings, specifications, layouts, blueprints, and schematics.
• Maintain accurate records and reports.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
• Demonstrate strong customer service skills and establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.

Licenses and Certifications:

• At time of appointment, and maintained throughout employment possession of:

• California Driver’s License, with a satisfactory driving record,
• American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess: mobility to work in various parks and open space areas; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work around machines, to climb and descend ladders, to operate a variety of tools and equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and to distinguish colors; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. Frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard and/or calculator and to operate tools and equipment. Incumbents in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and inspect work sites. Incumbents must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds or heavier weights with assistance and/or the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Incumbents work in both indoor and outdoor environments with moderate to loud noise levels. May work in controlled temperature conditions, cold and hot temperatures, or inclement weather conditions. Exposure to a variety of plant and animal species. Incumbents will interact with individuals in interpreting and enforcing rules, policies, and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents may be assigned an on-call and irregular work schedule, including weekends, early mornings, evenings, and holidays.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

• Department of Justice fingerprint clearance.
• TB Test

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation throughout the selection process. Request for reasonable accommodation during the selection process may be made by contacting the Human Resources Office prior to the final filing date.

LARPD is an Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer and values diversity at all levels of the organization.

District pays up to:

$2094.45 per month towards medical plan

$100 per month towards dental plan

$750 annually towards vision & hearing plan.

District Paid:

Life Insurance Option 1: 1.5x annual salary up to $200,000

Life Insurance Option 2: $50,000

Long-term and Short-term Disability

Employee Assistance Program

District Offered:

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Deferred Compensation (457b)

Up to ten paid holidays.

Vacation leave, sick leave, and six floating holidays (prorated).

• Benefits are subject to change