Park Naturalist jobs in Albuquerque, NM

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general supervision of the assigned supervisor, will serve as a project lead person in the coordination of projects, maintenance, and activities when assigned. Will perform a variety of increasing responsible tasks in maintaining County parks and open space facilities, and other County-maintained public areas such as plants, trees, turf, athletic fields, shrubs, trees and installing, maintaining, backflow testing and repairs, and building or repairing irrigation systems as required and in accordance with safety standards and applicable policies and procedures. Prepare prescribed herbicide mixtures to spray turf, shrubs and trees with chemical fertilizer and utilize spray equipment, ensure all mixtures are prepared per label requirements of the law. Perform duties of any minor maintenance work of a general nature, in the areas of carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding, or other specialty areas. Prepare inspection reports to indicate nature of repairs and/or replacement of materials needed for assigned projects or scheduled maintenance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SUMMARY

1. Perform minor maintenance work of a general nature in the areas of painting, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding, or other specialty areas.
2. Will perform a variety of increasing responsible tasks in maintaining County parks and open space facilities and other County-maintained public areas such as installing, maintaining, trash removal, events, and repairing irrigation systems etc.
3. Install, maintain, inspect, and make repairs to facility building landscapes, parks, playgrounds, irrigation systems, and equipment which will include automatic sprinklers, controllers, irrigation piping, valves, pumps, backflows, electric control mechanisms, basic machinery, and gates.    
4. Install and repair fences, concrete mowing strips, and other facility construction and improvement projects. Repair and replace hoses, pipes and numerous types of sprinkler heads and fixtures.
5. Oversee and prepare prescribed herbicide mixture, spray turf, shrubs and trees with chemical fertilizer and utilize spray equipment. Ensure all mixtures are prepared per label requirements (Following the label is the law). Fill out and turn in required spray reports.
6. Prepare inventory control; order amounts of repair parts, supplies, and materials for area facilities, maintenance, projects, and equipment.
7. Prepare inspection reports to indicate nature of repairs and/or replacement of materials needed for assigned projects or scheduled maintenance.
8. Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promote continuous improvement of workplace safety.
9. Trouble shoot, install, and repair backflow preventors, replace and/or repair backflow devices on old or new irrigation systems. Fill out and turn in inspection reports to ABCWUA.
10. Perform all task in the building of new irrigation systems; maintain and operate timers, clocks, controllers, valves, flow meters and sprinklers on all new and older irrigation systems.
11. Maintain record keeping procedures in adherence with appropriate regulations and standards.
12. Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures in adherence with appropriate regulations and standards.
13. Responsible for completion of weekly work sheets, and preventive and corrective action work orders.
14. Will serve in a lead capacity as assigned by the supervisor.
15. Provide training, guidance, and assistance to park maintenance workers I and II’s with less experience in park and open space maintenance.
16. Perform other job-related duties as required or assigned by the supervisor.

*The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job.

1. High School diploma, or GED plus four (4) years of experience in the area of grounds-keeping and/or landscaping and must be in the use and maintenance of grounds-keeping equipment; experience must include performance of pre-use inspections and daily equipment maintenance; experience in the use, care and operation of various types of large equipment such as backhoe, trencher, front-end loader and transport various equipment utilizing a truck and trailer, and spray equipment varying in size. Experience to tow and hook up trailers.
2. Employee must have a valid New Mexico driver’s license by employment date and maintain a valid NM driver’s license while employed in this position.
3. Employee must have and maintain a valid New Mexico Department of Agriculture Category 3B Herbicide License.
4. Employee must have and maintain a valid Backflow Prevention License.
5. Employee must have and maintain a valid Journeyman Sprinkler License or obtain and maintain a valid Journeyman Sprinkler License within 9 months of date of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA’S)

1. Perform proficiency in the performance and of pre-use inspections and daily equipment maintenance.
2. Perform proficiency in the practices and methods of the activities involved in the operation and maintenance of park equipment and facilities.
3. Experience in applying chemicals, fungicides and following the label requirements to control weeds, kill pests and prevent diseases.
4. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, and the public.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The offer of this Bernalillo County position requires compliance with the following:

1. Employee must successfully complete the post-offer employment medical examination and background investigation.
2. Employee must comply with the safety guidelines of the County.
3. Communicate effectively in both oral and written English.
4. Attend and participate in all training and meetings as scheduled and/or required.
5. Understand and fully execute both oral and written instructions and perform with little or no supervision.
6. Employee must not have been on a Sick Leave Correction Action Plan for attendance issues within the last 12 months.
7. Must not have a disciplinary action or written reprimand within the last 12 months.
8. Employee must complete required FEMA training(s) as assigned to position.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Work is performed outdoors, with exposure to natural weather conditions.
2. Worker is exposed to occasional noise and vibration factors in the operation of equipment.
3. Worker is exposed to dust, fumes, and mists.
4. Work is performed on even and uneven terrain.  Surfaces may be wet, dry, natural ground or paved.  Work may be performed on inclines and occasionally on ladders.
5. Work hazards include exposure to dust, chemicals such as herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides, exposure to severe weather conditions, heavy lifting, working on potentially slick surfaces and ladders, using power equipment, and operating various vehicles.
6. Works under general supervision.
7. Works under adverse weather conditions and a flexible work schedule as necessary.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND MATERIALS

1. Utilizes the following tools and equipment:  sickle mower, push mower, sprayer, weed-eater, power blower, pruning shears, ladders, automatic sprinkler system pipes, valves, pumps, electric control mechanisms, welding equipment and assorted hand tools utilized in grounds maintenance.
2. Gloves, goggles, boots, dust mask, earplugs and occasionally respirators are utilized in performance of essential duties.
3. Operates a variety of County vehicles including pick-up trucks, dump trucks, tractors, trench digger, and similar equipment.