Hello Everyone,
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks is now accepting applications for two temporary Human Dimensions Research Technicians.
These are 10-month positions, to start soon and at the latest in early March.
Please see below and share with anyone you think may have interest.
https://bouldercolorado.gov/human-resources/city-jobs
Human Dimensions Research Technician
Salary
$17.42 – $21.07 Hourly
Location
Boulder, CO
Job Type
Temporary
Department
Open Space & Mountain Parks
Job Number
2020-00022
Work Schedule
40 Hours Per Week
Description
Service Excellence for an Inspired Future
The City of Boulder is a great place to live, work, grow and play.
With over 300 miles of dedicated bikeways and more than 150 miles of hiking trails, Boulder values active lifestyles and access to nature. Forty-five thousand acres of land provide open space for parks, and a green belt around the city. With world class restaurants and art and music venues, The City of Boulder values diverse culture.
Respect is one of our five City Values (including Customer Service, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation) and we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and support our differences across all spectrums, including but not limited to ethnicity, gender, age, disability and sexuality. Through our focus on Racial Equity, our employee benefits, and the many programs resources we offer our staff, we continually strive to weave respect for one another into the fabric of our organization.
Add your voice and talents to the City of Boulder and help us grow in service excellence for an inspired future.
OVERVIEW OF ROLE:
The primary purpose of this temporary position is to support the completion of existing priority Human Dimensions projects along with prioritized projects. Under direct supervision, to support and manage broad or highly specialized responsibilities and produce deliverables in the development and implementation of the Recreation and Cultural Stewardship work group’s Human Dimensions projects and practices consistent with department plans and policies within a department-wide context that supports all chartered land uses and open space purposes; primarily to execute field work (70-90%), and to develop practices; to provide support in the resolution of issues in the area of Human Dimensions; to provide consultation, specialized technical assistance, design, research, analysis, and reporting to understand and enhance visitor experience and social sustainability on OSMP properties; and to perform related duties as required.
Examples of Duties
1. Conducts scientific data collection on recreation and visitor experience conditions on OSMP managed land. Examples of this duty include:
• Implements and administers on-site visitor surveys using established department protocols.
• Collects quantitative observational data on recreation/visitor behavior patterns including – but not limited to – compliance with existing regulations such as dog management and resource protection measures.
• Measures the location and extent of recreation visits across the OSMP land system through the deployment, calibration, general maintenance, data retrieval of automated visitation monitoring equipment (such as trail or parking counters).
• Employs technical skills such as data management, quality control review, and statistical analysis to support Human Dimensions projects and ensure the integrity of research and monitoring data.
• Stay current in research methodologies and scientific literature related to program disciplines; may conduct literature reviews.
• Participates under direction of OSMP staff in various Human Dimensions related projects as necessary.
2. Works in a collaborative manner to help implement the Human Dimensions program, which includes the following:
• Collaborates with other staff to help develop and implement the Human Dimensions annual work plan and ongoing projects identified in OSMP plans.
• Conducts assigned responsibilities within the program, which may include research, design, management, and monitoring, to meet program goals and resolve problems.
• Implements and performs Human Dimensions field work and produces short-to-medium-term deliverables.
• Generally, focuses on data collection and analysis more than information flow.
• May contribute to research and monitoring design recommendations to help ensure department compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Works cooperatively with other OSMP staff to develop and implement best management practices, procedures, and policies to accomplish department goals.
• Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers through careful listening and understanding of issues and by communicating program and department goals, findings, and project statuses.
• May assign, coordinate, coach, and lead employees, volunteers, and other agency personnel in performing program work in a safe, cost-effective, and efficient manner to meet department goals.
3. This position may support the Human Dimensions Supervisor and Coordinator in providing advice and technical assistance for management planning, land use planning, and project designs to implement the Human Dimensions Research program goals within a department-wide context that supports all chartered land uses and open space purposes.
• Serves as a technical resource and field expert.
• Develops and provides technical advice and objectives for inclusion in department plans that support program goals, which may include recommendations for property acquisitions.
• May make project related budget recommendations and cost estimates to inform work group budgets.
• Brings the best practices and/or objective scientific research available to inform management decisions.
• May review department project designs, permits, and leases to make recommendations for improvements to better meet program goals.
• Collaborates with department staff to train and implement best management practices for recreational, scenic, agricultural, and conservation projects to support program goals.
• Contributes design recommendations and monitoring to help ensure department compliance with regulatory requirements related to program disciplines.
• Works as part of a team to coordinate staff response to issues related to program disciplines.
4. May perform public and staff information and outreach activities including applicable liaison roles including:
• Provide liaison role to internal department staff for the program.
• Develop and conduct informational and interpretive presentations to educational institutions, organizations, and the general public.
• Provide periodic training for staff and volunteers.
• Provide liaison role to external organizations for program disciplines, as applicable, representing department goals and integrating with the goals of others.
• Develops and presents professional written and oral reports on programs and projects to service area, department, city staff, and the public.
• Help resolve public concerns related to program disciplines.
• Participate at a professional level in field of expertise.
5. Other
• Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism and integrity; provides excellent customer services to internal and external customers; listens to questions and concerns, evaluates issues and possible solutions, works collaboratively with the OSMP and other city teams to find solutions to challenges that arise; inspires confidence and respect; uses feedback from others to grow and develop.
• Provides performance management input and recommendations on work group crew leaders and technicians.
• Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
• Actively supports and upholds the city’s stated mission and values. Optimizes the use of resources; responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies.
Generally, duties and responsibilities are listed from most to least critical or time consuming.
Qualifications
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: A Bachelor’s degree in a Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, or Human Dimensions of Natural Resources field, such as Parks and Recreation Management, Geography, Outdoor Recreation, Recreation Ecology, Social Ecology, Human Ecology, Environmental Anthropology, or related field.
OR
Experience: A Bachelor’s degree with at least two years specialized experience collecting recreation data in a park or protected area setting. Examples of specialized experience include – but are not limited to – conducting visitor surveys, using automated trail counters, conducting vehicle and visitor site counts, observing and coding visitor behaviors, transportation monitoring, GPS mapping, and inputting and analyzing data.
OR: An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical abilities. Ability to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data and communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing; ability to prepare technical data summaries and reports; ability to work tactfully and effectively with the public and fellow workers. Able to maintain concentration on visitor behaviors for extended periods of time and accurately record observations. Physical ability to perform tasks in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions; to lift and carry equipment; to stand, walk, and kneel while performing duties over rough terrain on a regular basis. Valid Colorado driver’s license. Have and maintain acceptable motor vehicle record. Technician may be required to use his or her personal vehicle for this work and if required to use personal vehicle, will be reimbursed for mileage.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS – In addition to the required minimum qualifications:
Knowledge and experience with visitor monitoring, and Human Dimensions research. Experience working for public land management agencies in the Wildland/Urban interface and/or in the Front Range of Colorado. Familiarity with Microsoft suite, spreadsheets and database skills. Strong proficiency with ArcGIS. Outstanding organizational and superior customer service skills. Experience with various automated visitation monitoring equipment. Experienced in the use of statistical software such as SPSS, R, SAS, or similar software package.
Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS – Required Physical and Mental Effort, and Environmental Conditions:
Physical Demands and Mental Effort: Ability to perform a wide range of physical and manual tasks in an outdoor environment. Physical ability to stand, walk, and kneel. Occasional lifting (maximum of 50 pounds), carrying, extensive walking and standing; frequent hand/eye coordination to operate personal computer and office equipment; vision for observing visitor behaviors from a distance both unaided and with binoculars, reading, recording and interpreting information; sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.
Work Environment: Field work conducted in the out-of-doors. Potential exposure to dangerous wildlife (e.g., rattlesnakes, mountain lions, stinging insects), toxic chemicals (e.g., pesticides), and dangerous weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, lightning). Office work in a setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.
Machines and equipment used include but are not limited to the following: In all weather conditions, frequently drives standard vehicles on public roadways and infrequently required to drive off road in four-wheel drive vehicles. Uses hand-held devices for field data collection and recording. Frequently uses standard office equipment including personal computers, cell phones, calculators and copy/printing machines.
Working Hours: Shifts will include early morning, evening and weekend hours. An irregular schedule is likely.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
The City of Boulder provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.
PLEASE NOTE:
– A cover letter and resume, in addition to the application, are required for your application to be considered complete
– This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days from 1/15/2020 after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired
Deonne VanderWoude
Human Dimensions Supervisor
vanderwouded
Open Space and Mountain Parks
2520 55th St. | Boulder, CO 80301