Conservation Technician – Weed Management

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

Working Title: Conservation Technician

Job Status: 40 hour per week

Pay: $15.25 - $16.18/hour

Work Location: East Multnomah County

Eligible for Overtime Pay: Yes –all overtime must be pre-approved

Benefits: Sick leave and vacation leave are accrued from the first full month of employment, with paid vacation made available after six months. Employee medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance premiums are paid by the District. Family medical/dental/vision insurance is available but must be paid for by the employee. A retirement plan is available if the employee makes contributions to it, with the District matching the employee's contribution, up to 6% of the employee's wages. Liability coverage is provided to all employees, subject to the limitations of the Oregon Tort Claims Act, 30.260 through 30.300, and the Oregon Constitution.

GENERAL INFORMATION

This is an entry level position with the Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) program, serving Multnomah County east of the Willamette River. This position is based out of the office of East Multnomah SWCD at 5211 North Williams Ave in Portland OR, but will require travel to sites in the Multnomah County portion of the Sandy River and Columbia River watersheds.

The purpose of the position is to assist with the mapping and control of selected, high-priority invasive plants on public and private properties. Control work will include working with contracted crews to control those plants through a variety of means including mechanical removal, mowing, and the application of herbicide. The eventual goals are restoration of native plant communities, protection of ecosystem processes, erosion prevention, and water quality protection.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. WEED CONTROL: Assist EMSWCD staff and partners to map and control high priority invasive plants. Conduct outreach to private property owners to provide information about invasive plants, gain permission to survey, and treat infested properties. The technician will work alongside EMSWCD staff, labor crews, private herbicide applicators and/or others for outreach, mapping, and treatment. Technician is required to have or obtain an herbicide applicators license.

2. EARLY DETECTION, RAPID RESPONSE: Work with EMSWCD staff to investigate reports of weeds on our early detection list, obtain landowner permission, and treat confirmed infestations.

3. TEAM MEMBER: This position is part of the Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) Program of the EMSWCD. This position will work closely with the program manager, fellow technicians, as well as members of partner organizations to plan and complete weed control work. This position will also regularly assist with other projects.

4. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION: Work with EMSWCD staff to contact landowners through mailings followed by direct door to door contact in target areas. Communicate with landowners through email and phone calls. Assist with workshops and displays at events. Most of these events are in the evening or on weekends.

5. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING: Utilize computer technology to maintain accurate, detailed records of activities, using databases and relevant spreadsheet analyses. Track contacts, properties visited, number of site visits, areas surveyed, extent of infestation, and type of treatment conducted. Document activities in quarterly progress reports.

6. NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY: Deliver services without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. Perform all job duties in a manner that consistently demonstrates fairness, cooperation, and respect toward co-workers, office visitors, landowners, and all others. Must be proficient in English (spoken and written) for communicating with landowners and staff. Perform all duties in a manner that consistently demonstrates fairness, cooperation, and respect toward co-workers, office visitors, and all others in the performance of official business. Demonstrate an awareness of EEO policies and responsibilities.

7. SAFETY POLICY: Perform all job duties in a safe manner with guidance from EMSWCD regarding federal, state, and local laws pertinent to job safety. Participate in safety training and staff safety meetings as scheduled.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Desired

1. Skill in vegetation management. Skill and/or ability to determine appropriate method of treatment and restoration of a variety of sites infested with different invasive plants.

2. Knowledge of plants native to the geographic area, as well as knowledge of nonnative, invasive plants.

3. Skill and/or ability to utilize GPS technology and GIS software to map infestations and treatment areas.

4. Possession of general computer skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and to enter accomplishments into databases.

5. Sound judgment and the ability to take a problem-solving approach to the work, while also consulting with supervisor when appropriate

6. Ability to work effectively with a variety of individuals, including district staff, board members, rural property owners, public land managers, and partners. Ability to work with a wide variety of landowners and at diverse project sites.

7. Possession of written and oral communication skills sufficient to discuss invasive species control and restoration techniques with rural landowners, contribute to reports, and give presentations.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in natural resource management, ecology, agriculture, forestry or related field. A combination of relevant education and experience may substitute for the educational requirement.

2. A minimum of one year field-based experience in restoration, forestry, farming or other work relevant to vegetation management.

3. Experience coordinating and/or monitoring project activities with landowners, contracted crews, and partners organizations.

4. Experience in writing reports and data management.

Requirements

To perform the duties of this position, the Conservation Technician must serve as an incidental motor vehicle operator. This requires the operation of a motor vehicle on both public and private roads during daylight hours and after dark, including in inclement weather. A valid driver's license is required. The Technician must have access to a reliable vehicle and must maintain insurance to comply with Oregon law. Mileage will be reimbursed. A rental vehicle may be available. The position requires travel throughout Eastern Multnomah county and possible travel outside the County.

See also "Physical Demands and Work Environment" section of this job description.

Complexity

The Conservation Technician must work as an integral member of the CTA team by coordinating and sharing information and resources with staff to accomplish the objectives that have been identified.

The Technician may run into complications, such as conflicting guidelines and policies among partners, changes in procedure, unforeseen circumstances and/or incompatible objectives among various constituents.

The Technician must be versatile and skillful in responding to new and changing environmental conditions, regulatory requirements, and modification of previously agreed-upon plans and conclusions.

WORK CONTACTS

• Soil and water conservation district staff
• Landowners
• Contractors, laborers
• The Nature Conservancy
• Watershed councils
• Local, state, and federal government agencies

SUPERVISION

The Conservation Technical Assistance Program Manager of the East Multnomah SWCD provides resources to achieve program objectives, acts as supervisor, reviews performance, and provides specific direction regarding work objectives. The Technician will coordinate with the other technicians to plan and coordinate his/her day to day work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The position involves frequent travel to project sites to meet with landowners. It requires walking long distances across sloped, uneven terrain, often in inclement weather. The work involves bending, lifting, and stretching. Technician may work alongside the landowner or crew and perform the physical work of weed removal. The Technician must be able to lift 50 pounds from the ground and load/unload heavy, cumbersome objects.

The work involves possible exposure to herbicides. Protective gear and clothing such as gloves and eye protection will be necessary.

The Technician will have an assigned desk, telephone, and computer at the EMSWCD office. The District office is the primary work station for this position. This office is a smoke-free and drug-free environment.

The Technician must be available for occasional evening and weekend work. Occasional overnight travel to attend conferences and trainings may be required.

REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE

A performance review will be given after six months from date of hire, 12 months after date of hire, and yearly thereafter. The review will be conducted by the Conservation Technical Assistance Program Manager with input from the District Manager and may include input from District staff and others who have been working with the employee.

Any pay raises will be contingent upon on annual performance reviews and program funding. EMSWCD is an at will employer.

The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisals, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. EMSWCD is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Application Instructions:

Thank you.  This position is now closed.