It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!
Application Deadline:
March 2, 2024
Hiring Range:
20.15 – 24.65
This is a full-time hourly position.
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Benefit Eligibility Group:
Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.
Job Description Summary:
This role focuses on invasive species management, planting and watering, seeding, seed collection, and erosion control on natural lands in order to restore ecosystem function and health. The job demands focus and attention to detail, as well as a team-oriented mindset, as everyone is accountable for the safety and well-being of the group. Crew members will have the opportunity to gain technical certifications as well as learn new skills and best practices related to ecological restoration and management.
Job Description:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Implement management prescriptions using restoration specific techniques such as seeding, planting, weed management, erosion control, etc., to help restore degraded native ecosystems.
- Utilize integrated pest management techniques including weed whipping, hand-pulling/digging, herbicide treatments with hand-held and backpack sprayers, and tree and shrub cut-stump treatments to help protect and maintain native ecosystems.
- Work collaboratively on projects with other agency staff and/or volunteers in forest, grassland, and riparian/aquatic ecosystems.
- Maintains detailed records of restoration and invasive species treatments and resources used.
- Maps and logs work efforts using GIS technology, aerial photography, and databases.
- Assists in rare plant inventories across the OSMP system.
- Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional training and development; and adhering to attendance and other workplace policies.
- Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents. Uses all proper safety equipment. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
- Operates four-wheel drive vehicles as well as related hand tools like weed whips, chainsaws, and backpack sprayers on rough terrain.
Minimum Qualifications
- Valid driver’s license and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.
- Ability to learn local invasive/native plant identification. Interest in plants, natural resources, and/or ecology.
- Ability to perform a wide range of physical and manual tasks in an outdoor environment under a variety of weather conditions. Physical ability to stand, walk, kneel, and lift heavy objects on a regular basis.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and non-verbally. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively with the public and coworkers, with excellent customer service skills.
- Willingness to work as part of a team. Understanding the interests and concerns of others and able and willing to share and receive information. Ability to follow established procedures and direction for the benefit and safety of the team.
- Ability to evaluate conditions in assigned area and make judgments related to safety.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in ecological restoration techniques and/or invasive species management in forest, grassland, or aquatic systems. College level coursework in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Studies, or related field can be substituted for experience.
- Experience with weed whips, mowers, pumps, chainsaws, and/or other related landscape maintenance equipment.
- Basic GIS/GPS and database application skills
- Certified pesticide applicators license
- Training and/or experience in mapping, aerial photo interpretation and map reading.
- Training in and/or knowledge of vegetation inventory and monitoring principles.
Working Conditions and Requirements
Physical Demands and Mental Effort: Ability to perform a wide range of physical and manual tasks in an outdoor environment. Physical ability to stand, bend, walk, and kneel. Ability to carry up to 50 pounds while hiking on rough terrain. Ability to work under stress with changing work priorities and conditions. Willingness to interact with the public in potentially challenging situations.
Work Environment: Works in an outdoor environment year-round. Potential exposure to dangerous wildlife (e.g., rattlesnakes, mountain lions, stinging insects), potentially toxic chemicals (herbicides), dangerous plants (poison ivy) and dangerous weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, lightning).
Machines and equipment used include but are not limited to the following: vehicles including four-wheel drive vehicles and pulling a trailer, tractors, power tools such as chainsaws and weed whips, and a range of relevant and appropriate tools and equipment.
The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to HR.