Job Location : Littleton,CO, USA
The position is a field-based specialist position with an emphasis on open spaces, rangelands, native grasslands, agricultural areas, and riparian area management and stewardship. The specialist will be responsible for the coordination of associated operational, maintenance, stewardship and improvement programs and assigned staff and contractors. Also serves as a member of the Operations Team supporting general field operations and maintenance of County open spaces, parks, and trails as assigned by supervisor.
* Perform maintenance and steward activities on open spaces, rangelands, agricultural areas, forests, wetlands, riparian areas, and trail corridors throughout the County. Support minor/major maintenance, stewardship, and capitol improvement projects.
* Assist administrative and management staff with the planning and development of natural resource, agricultural resource and visitor use programs, plans, prescriptions, contracts, and leases for divisional properties. Provides technical guidance and direction to Operations staff on field stewardship activities.
* Plan, monitor, and implement routine natural resource management, agricultural management, and stewardship operations and plans on County open spaces, rangelands, native grasslands, agricultural, wetlands, and riparian areas. Drafts associated reports and maintains databases to support program operations and management.
* Understand and read natural resource plans, agricultural plans, grazing plans, construction plans, and restoration prescriptions to support sound land development, stewardship, and operations. Provide input to construction plans for property and recreational development in partnership with planning staff.
* Performs restoration of native grasslands, soil conservation activities, range management, reforestation, and riparian area management, including native grass seeding operations, the planting, establishment and maintenance of trees shrubs and herbaceous plants, and the management of noxious weeds on open space properties and trail corridors.
* Installs, inspects, maintains, and operates open space, rangeland, agricultural, and trailhead amenities; list includes but not limited to fences/gates, drainage systems, barns, corrals, irrigation systems, stock tanks, site signage, wildlife cameras, trails/trailheads, and other related equipment and facilities.
* Operates and maintains open space, agricultural, forestry and trail maintenance equipment including but not limited to County vehicles, seeders, mowers, spray equipment, chainsaws, plows, power tools, tractors, UTVs, dump trucks, trailers, skid steers, front-end loaders, bucket trucks, and mini excavators.
* Maintains and conducts periodic natural resource, wetland, and property asset inventory surveys associated with each site, trailhead and trail utilizing a maintenance management system, GPS devices, geographic information systems and other computerized technologies.
* Monitor open spaces, rangelands, agricultural areas, and riparian areas for compliance with County land management standards and policies. Builds and utilizes collaborative relationships with local/state/federal land management agencies, partners, and universities.
* Participates in public outreach, citizen, adjacent landowner, agricultural lessee, and volunteer education/engagement efforts and programs to provide information on divisional natural resource management, range management, agricultural management, and other stewardship activities.
* Understands and adheres to safe work practices and procedures related to equipment operations, noxious weed management, and field maintenance operations.
* Maintains assorted records and reports utilizing County software applications to track work reporting/monitoring, develop work orders, and ensure ongoing sustainable land management practices.
* Supports the removal of debris and snow from open spaces, parks, trailheads, trails and sidewalks using sweeping and snow removal equipment. Supports County level snow removal and emergency management operations when necessary.
* Supports the operations and logistics associated with special events occurring at the 17 Mile House Farm Park, Fairgrounds Event Center or through Departmental partnerships.
Skills, Abilities and Competencies:
* Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques of o pen space, range management, agricultural production, and natural area restoration (including urban, rural, and agricultural landscapes).
* Extensive knowledge and skills in the use of materials, tools, and equipment used in open space, rangeland, riparian area, agricultural property maintenance and repair.
* Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques of open space, rangeland, riparian area, agricultural property management and stewardship.
* Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety practices. Ability to train and educate field staff on these practices.
* Thorough knowledge and understanding of Best Management Practices in open space, range management, agricultural system operation and maintenance. Including the use of technologies to monitor and collect data on plant communities, range conditions or visitor use of properties/trails.
* General knowledge of grasslands and natural Colorado habitats to include grasses, forbs, trees, plant identification, and associate restoration techniques.
* Knowledge in the use and application of GPS devices, geographic information systems, and other technologies to collect field data, monitor, and manage natural resources, agricultural areas, and associated assets.
* Use of maintenance management and work order software to track time and effort required to manage natural resource and agricultural programs and activities.
* Ability to work independently on a regular basis and occasionally lead a team of field staff.
* Ability to apply pesticides/herbicides as part of an integrated pest management program. Inventory techniques utilizing geographic information systems or global positioning systems.
* Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions which includes communicating in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing. Ability to produce field reports and provide data summaries.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, general public, internal and external customers.
Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):
Accountability
Accessibility
Inclusivity
Integrity
Education and Experience:
* High school diploma or GED required, Associates degree or Certificate in natural resource management, agriculture, natural science, or related field preferred.
* Four (4) or more years of natural resource, open space, agriculture, forestry, or public land management / stewardship experience, required.
* Two (2) or more years of experience coordinating a work crew and/or volunteer groups.
An equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job may be sufficient as determined by the hiring supervisor.
Pre-Employment (or within time frames after employment) Requirements:
* Possession of or ability to obtain within six (6) months, a valid First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
* Possession of a valid Colorado Class R Driver's License (Motor Vehicle Report is required at time of interview. Maintenance of acceptable driving record is necessary.)
* Possession of or the ability to obtain a Colorado Class A Commercial Driver's License within one (1) year of employment. Must be able to pass Commercial Driver's license health exam.
* Must pass pre-employment motor vehicle check, physical, background check and drug screen.
* Possession of or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment and Colorado Certified Operator license in the Rangeland Pest and Industrial Right of Way Weed Control categories. Ability to obtain a Qualified Supervisor in the Rangeland Pest categories within two years.
* Possession of or ability to obtain within two (2) years of employment the Colorado State University Extension Native Plant Master designation or an equivalent certification from other professional land/range management programs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Employee works indoors and outdoors, most of their time spent in the field often in extreme weather conditions and over rough terrain frequently in remote areas. May occasionally be exposed to various types of heavy equipment or agricultural machinery.
Employees in this position may be exposed to all the dangers associated with working outside, including but not limited to, pollen, animal dander, peanuts and other allergens, mouse droppings, snakes, insects, bites and stings and similar hazards.
Available to work on-call hours in rotation, as needed.
Available to work the County Fair, including preparations and take down as well as other Open Spaces special events.
Available to work during evenings, weekends, irregular hours, as needed. Serves as County essential personnel.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
* Spends 20% of the time sitting, office or vehicle, and 80% of the time either standing or walking.
* Frequently lifts, carries, pulls, or pushes up to 80 lbs.
* Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 80 lbs.
* Frequently climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or field work duties.
* Verbal and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in meetings and personal interactions.
* Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office & field machinery, equipment, and tools.
* Visual capacity enabling constant operation of and safe use of equipment and vehicles.
* Heavy manual labor in and outdoors and the need to walk long distances is typical with this position.
Definitions:
Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.