Park Ranger/Natural Resource Technician

POSITION DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT TITLE:  Park Ranger / Natural Resource Technician            REPORTS TO:  Executive Director

SUPERVISES:  Seasonal Staff                                                                                    FSLA STATUS:  Non - Exempt                                                                                        

PURPOSE OF POSITION: 

Under the general direction from the Executive Director, assists the daily management and operations of all county conservation areas, with emphasis on providing law enforcement security under Section 350 of the Code of Iowa.  Performs a wide variety of professional duties related to park and natural area management.    

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Serves as the department’s peace officer by enforcing local and state laws, fish and wildlife infractions; Issues citations; Makes arrests; Works with other law enforcement agencies; Collects fees.

·         Interacts with the public and users and responds to questions; Participates in public programs.

·         Effective supervision of seasonal employees. 

·         Assists in the overall maintenance of all parks, wildlife, historical, and wild/scenic areas; Performs wide variety of grounds and facility maintenance, tree care, trail establishment and maintenance.

·         Maintains, repairs, and new construction of Conservation Board facilities and structures; use of assortment of hand and power tools, construction equipment, and cleaning products. 

·         Maintains the appearance of parks by cleaning showers, latrines, shelters, cabins, etc.; Collects and disposes of garbage and debris.

·         Prescription fire management and burn plans; Assists with natural resource projects, such as invasive species control, timber stand management, and prairie management.

·         Participates in habitat and park management with various governmental and non-governmental organizations

·         Safely operates grounds keeping equipment, including mowers, tractors, weed cutters, trimmers, chainsaws, and vehicles; Maintains all equipment.

·         Safe use of chainsaws, log splitters, and other department equipment.

·         The ability to establish effective working relationships with the public, co-workers, and supervisor. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

·         Education:  Graduation from a two (2) year college or university with major coursework in natural sciences, parks/recreation, criminal law, or related field.

·         Experience:  Minimum of two (2) years of progressive park and recreation experience, and a demonstrated knowledge of those areas, and progressive thought. 

·         Must be willing to work weekends, holidays, irregular or special event hours.

USEFUL CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:

·         Iowa Peace Officer Certification or ability to graduate from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy

(Must be able to pass pre-employment physical that corresponds to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy standards)

·         Commercial Pesticide Application

·         S130/S190 Fire Training

·         Demonstrated computer knowledge required

·         Iowa Drivers License and Commercial Driver’s License (class A)

·         First Aid/CPR certification

Or Able to Obtain within One (1) Year of Offer of Employment

MINUMUM PHYSICAL & MENTAL ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL DUTIES/FUNCTIONS:

·         Field work is the most extensive.  It involves weekend and special patrol duties and the interaction with park users.  Use and maintenance of vehicles, tractors, mowers, trailers, chainsaws, trimmers, boat/motors, sprayers/chemicals, construction tools, hand/power tools, fire equipment, and painting equipment.  Must have the ability to safely perform and withstand heavy, manual, outdoor labor for extended periods of time, and to safely perform a wide range of physical tasks, on uneven ground, in a variety of locations. 

·         Administrative duties require the use of personal computers and programs – Microsoft Office; Office Communications systems (email, phone, voicemail, text); Ability to use basic math; Accounting practices; Ability to interact with a variety of people in a variety of circumstances; Multi-tasking; Work involves numerous interruptions.  

1.       Marginal functions of this position that are incidental to the performance of essential job duties have been excluded from this job description.

2.       Essential duties and responsibilities are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with or without disabilities.  Prospective employee and incumbents are encouraged to discuss possible accommodations with the County.

3.       Job descriptions in no way state or imply that the description includes every duty to be performed by the employee in the position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.  Initiative and Integrity are a must. 

4.       The County reserves the right to change or re-assign job duties or combine positions at any time.