Land Management Technician (Forester)

Full Time

  County of Volusia (http://www.volusia.org)

  Volusia County, Florida, United States

The County of Volusia is seeking a Land Management Technician for the Parks, Recreation & Culture Division. This position will be located at various locations throughout Volusia County, Florida, and will be responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of prescribed burning activities, including drafting plans and schedules, locating fire lines, and participating in actual burns for natural resource enhancement. Candidate will operate and maintain assorted heavy equipment, including but not limited to front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors and brush trucks to accomplish various land management tasks.
Illustrative Duties

(NOTE: These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.)  

  • Assists in the development and implementation of prescribed burning activities, including drafting plans and schedules, locating fire lines, and participating in actual burns for natural resource enhancement.
  • Operates and maintains assorted heavy equipment, including but not limited to front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors and brush trucks to accomplish various land management tasks.
  • Assists with the implementation and/or oversight of staff and contractors for timber marking/inventory, reforestation, and timber harvesting.
  • Assists in the design, installation and management of public access points and facilities.
  • Inspects and patrols conservation property, roads, buildings and other structures and makes recommendations for, and implements, maintenance activities.
  • Assists in the development of security plans for conservation lands; reports vandalism, poaching and wildfires, posts property lines, coordinates activities with local law enforcement.
  • Assists with monitoring of natural communities and wildlife to determine management needs and effects of management activities by conducting inventory of plants, animals, water and land surveys.
  • Mixes and applies herbicides and chemicals according to recommended proportions and strengths for a specific control treatment of invasive plants.
  • Monitors agricultural and business lease activity on County properties including, but not limited to, cattle leases, sod operations, hay leases, and crop leases.
  • Conducts property tours for visitors, contractors and other agency personnel.
  • Performs related work as required.
  • May be assigned to other locations based upon operational needs.
  • Attends work on a regular and consistent basis.
  • Must adhere to Federal, State, County and Local ordinances.
  • Responds to emergency situations.
Minimum Requirements

Associates degree in forestry, environmental science, wildlife or related field and at least two (2) years experience in natural resource management. Candidate must be able to obtain Florida certified burn manager certificate within 12 months of employment. Ability to obtain class B CDL within 6 months of employment. A comparable amount of education, training or experience may be substituted for the minimum degree requirements. For example, at least four (4) years of experience in natural resource management. 

The preferred candidate, having met the minimum requirements, will have at least two (2) years of experience in forestry/natural resource management and prescribed fire including fire suppression.  Experience operating crawler tractor equipment during fire suppression is required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Knowledge of Florida vegetation, wildlife, ecology and forested habitats.
  • Knowledge and experience in operation of various types of field equipment including but not limited to bulldozers, tractors and ATVs.
  • Able to work effectively with other County, municipal, and State agencies and the public.
  • Able to obtain Prescribed fire and Natural Areas certificate.
  • Able to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
  • Able to work under stressful situations.
  • Able to interact effectively with others.
  • Must be able to relocate to other county locations based upon operational needs.
ADA REQUIREMENTS
Physical Requirements: Heavy work. Exerting 50-100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or 25-50 lbs. of force frequently and/or 10-20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. Ability to push (arm and leg), pull, reach, climb, sit, see (near and far acuity, depth perception, field of vision), turn (neck, body), handle, smell and kneel. Ability to traverse unimproved, uneven and/or wet ground.
Mental Requirements: Ability to read, comprehend operational and safety instructions, procedures, rules, policies, warnings and memos. Ability to write simple sentences relaying information, data and details. Ability to perform basic math.
Environmental Demands: Outside work. Exposure to inclement weather including humidity, heat, rain, cold, dust, mildew, noise. May be exposed to smoke, herbicides, pesticides, odors and toxic fumes.

Compensation

$16.13 - $26.49 Hourly