Conservation Technician - 2 positions

Responsibilities and Skills:

General:

• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and produce complex professional documents
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing to prioritize job activities to achieve maximum overall results.
• Ability to create a positive work culture that promotes trust, accountability, open communication, and excellence while fostering individual and departmental achievements, and provide support for individual staff development and goals.

Land Management:

• Performs park maintenance and operation work such as repair of buildings, tables, fireplaces, tools and equipment, as well as maintenance and clean-up of roads, trails, buildings, developed grounds, boat docks, restrooms, and water systems using various specialized hand and power tools.
• Habitat restoration and management, including but not limited to planting and maintenance of native and introduced species communities, and assisting in planting, watering and caring for newly planted vegetation, trees and shrubs.
• Manages those areas of native vegetation identified by the inventory process to improve their diversity and promote their continued health.
• Record keeping (chemical, daily work logs, equipment, etc.).
• Oversees the work of seasonal employees and volunteers and educates on the proper use and care of equipment and ensures risk policies are followed.
• Educates landowners on a broad range of topics including seeding and management of prairies, tree planting, wetlands and woodlands.
• Performs Forest Reserve assessment and reviews.
• Successfully researches, assists in the writing of, and writes grants pertaining to the management and restoration of Benton County Conservation areas.
• Develops programs of public information and education to promote public understanding of sound natural resources, conservation and management techniques.
• Proper utilization, operation, maintenance, and repairs of all agency equipment (tractors, vehicles, UTVs, chainsaws, mowers, skidsteer, planters, etc.).
• Gives input in writing natural resource management plans for all county areas including parks, prairies, wetlands, and forests.
• Develops and implements prescribed burn plans to enhance wildlife habitat.
• Assists in the prescribed burning of native prairie areas established on county lands.
• Helps develop and administer the department’s wildlife habitat program.
• Performs other duties as directed or as the situation dictates.

Administrative

• Compile monthly and annual work activity reports for the tasks completed to the Director and BCCB.
• Successfully writes and manages local/state/federal grants and seek creative funding options.
• Build sustainable relationships with key stakeholders and county officials, park users, community members and the public. Regularly attends County Board of Supervisors, Conservation Board and other pertinent meetings.
• Establish Benton County Conservation as a go-to resource for conservation land management in Benton County.
• Operate Microsoft Windows and Suite, GIS/GPS equipment, and promote Benton County Conservation using web-based tools such as conservation related websites, social media, and public programing.
• Attend state and regional conferences related to the field

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily as listed above. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a natural science field or a related field and 1-year of relevant experience; or an associate’s degree in a conservation related course and minimum 2-years of relevant conservation field experience; or relevant experience equivalent to the previous mentioned education and experience.
• Valid driver’s license

Preference will be given to candidates who have the following licenses/certifications at hire.  However, those willing to obtain these within the time frames listed will also be considered.

• Iowa Department of Agriculture Chemical Applicator license (within 6 months)
• Fire training S130 and S190 (within 1 year)
• Iowa commercial driver’s license (within 1 year)
• CPR and first-aid certification (within 1 year)

Preferred Skills

• Experience managing seasonal staff.
• Experience in the public sector, public meetings, programming, etc.
• Experience with equipment maintenance.

Physical Demands/Work Hours:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, grasp, handle or feel; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push or pull and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally exert up to 50 pounds of force to move objects. The visual requirements for this position are similar to those classified of skilled tradespeople (ie: carpenters, technicians, plumbers, painters, mechanics, etc.).

Average working days are 7:00am - 3:30pm, Monday - Friday. This position will sometimes require working overtime, including non-traditional hours. Particularly during burn and spray seasons. Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and irregular or special event hours as necessary or assigned.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The worker is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions. The worker is subject to extreme cold and extreme heat. The worker is subject to hazards including moving mechanical parts, handling chemicals, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places. Frequently this position is required to travel to transport equipment and to attend meetings.

TO APPLY:

Apply online at www.bentoncountyia.gov or by emailing all application materials to HR Director, Sue Wilber at swilber@bentoncountyia.gov

To be considered, all documents must be included; Benton County application, resume, letter expressing interest in the position, at least two professional references, and current pesticide applicators license number as well as any other certifications.

Applications due by 4:30pm Monday, June 10, 2024.

THE ABOVE DECLARATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE AN “ALL-INCLUSIVE” LIST OF THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB DESCRIBED OR OF THE SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE JOB. RATHER, THEY ARE INTENDED ONLY TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB.

Benefits:

• IPERS retirement with 6.29% employee contribution and 9.44% employer contribution
• 10 paid holidays
• Vacation time, sick time, and 2 floating days off
• Health Insurance as low as $180 per pay period for a family plan
• Dental insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Wellness program with opportunity to earn up to $350 in incentives and a discount on your health insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

*THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN EMPLOYMENT AT BENTON COUNTY*