Natural Resources Specialist

~ The Dakota County Parks system is a growing, thriving natural resource-based park system with over one million visitors annually and 5,500 acres of premiere park land and 32 miles of scenic greenways and regional trails. ~

The work we do and the services we provide are guided by the Parks Department Mission to enrich lives by providing high quality recreation and education opportunities in harmony with natural resource preservation and stewardship.

Position Overview

Dakota County Parks is seeking a Natural Resources Specialist to join the Natural Resources team to assist the program in managing its park land. The role of the Specialist is to plan, execute, and finalize projects according to deadlines and within budget. This includes acquiring resources and coordinating the efforts of team members and third-party contractors or consultants in order to deliver projects according to plan. The Natural Resources Specialist will also define the project's objectives and oversee quality control throughout its duration.

The Specialist performs highly skilled work, coordinates complex tasks, and provides technical assistance for the successful implementation of numerous and diverse natural resource restoration and stewardship projects for the Operations Management – Parks Department (as directed).

Directs full time and limited term staff and volunteers to provide vegetation, wildlife and fisheries management enhancement. Coordinates work with contractors, institutional work crews, Sentence to Serve, Conservation Corps Minnesota crews, natural resource management and operational staff. Works most closely with the Natural Resources Manager, other managers and natural resource management staff. The position reports directly to the Natural Resources Manager.

*** The hiring department is asking applicants to respond to 2 essay questions within the supplemental question area of the application process. Applicants can respond either within the text box provided or within a word file that is attached to the application.

Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• Works closely with the Natural Resources Manager in the planning, implementation and evaluation of work, including providing input on budgets, contracts, training, permits, and other needs as required.
• Acts as lead to work crews, contractors and staff.
• Coordinate, plan and schedule work, including the shared use of equipment, buildings, supplies with grounds maintenance and operations staff.
• Maintains an understanding of overall responsibilities and status of all current planning, natural resource, operation and other tasks within the Natural Resources program.
• Participates in the analysis of sites, participates in project planning including identification of plant material, identification of issues affecting success, developing strategies, evaluating work and results.
• Estimates quantities, maintains orders, and records supplies and materials used for tasks and projects.
• Keeps Manager informed of project status, problems and material or equipment needs.
• Monitors and reports on work progress, site conditions, and quality of work.
• Oversees the safe and effective operation of power equipment and vehicles common to natural resource management.
• Trains and directs employees and volunteers in the safe and proficient operation of tools common to natural resource management.
• Manages raingarden inspection and maintenance at County-owned facilities.
• Obtains permits, licenses or certifications as required by local, state or federal regulations or as requested by Manager.
• Occasionally performs and directs natural resource restoration and maintenance duties such as planting trees and shrubs, seeding, grading, invasive control/management, tree removal and site restoration. Knowledge of and ability to implement erosion control methods.
• Manage vegetation maintenance contract, including inspections, monitoring, invoice payment, and communication with the contractor and internal and external stakeholders.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of natural resource evaluation, restoration and management of projects within the Operations Management – Parks Department and Farmland and Natural Areas Programs.
• Utilize ArcMap and other GIS applications to plan and monitor natural resources projects.
• Generate maps for internal and external customers.
• Assists in writing grant applications, RFB's and other professional documents.
• Performs related work as required.
• Contribute to the following natural resources initiatives:
  • Manage multiple grant-funded projects.
  • Work with non-profit partners to implement natural resources restoration projects.
  • Vegetation monitoring (releves, photo plots, transects, rare plant surveys).
  • Wildlife monitoring and management (herps, small mammals, native bees, birds, deer, etc).
  • Lake aeration and aquatic vegetation management.
  • Volunteer management.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in forestry, biology, natural resource management, or closely related field AND 3 years progressive natural resource management experience.

or

• An equivalent combination of closely related education and experience to equal or exceed 7 years.

Desirable experience and/or knowledge in the following areas:

• Prescribed burning.
• Plant identification and survey design.
• Wildlife identification and handling.
• Tree disease diagnosis.
• Natural resource restoration project management.
• Grant writing and reporting.
• Volunteer management.
• Native insect identification and survey methods.
• GIS.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment:

• Ability and skill to organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of others.
• Knowledge of practices, functions and procedures for higher skilled, complex and specialized natural resources restoration and maintenance tasks.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and local laws pertaining to the duties.
• Knowledge of safety rules, regulations and practices. Ability to proficiently and safely operate light and heavy equipment, power tools and vehicles.
• Knowledge in the management of native plant communities, including identification of trees and plants, diseases and measures of control; proper use of fertilizers and chemicals.
• Ability to coordinate work with other department staff and programs, and manage personnel and projects.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, public officials and the general public.
• Ability to analyze needs and problems related to natural resource restoration and stewardship.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read, understand maps, plans and other graphics used to communicate tasks.

Work Environment:

• Duties and responsibilities require outdoor work, in all weather conditions.
• Position functions require driving or walking over rough or snow/ice covered terrain.
• Lifting required as apparent or necessary.
• Approximately 75% of duties are conducted in an office environment.

To Apply

Please be sure to click here and follow the application instructions provided on our website.

The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.