Natural Resource Specialist

~ Howard County is a successful melding of old and new, urban and rural, where the rolling green hills of the Piedmont meet the rocky fall line of the glaciers. ~

From the small town flavor of historic mill towns to the thriving model city of Columbia, Howard County makes everyone feel at home. Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community. The County is continually ranked among the most affluent, advanced and educated communities in the United States. 

Position Overview

The Natural Resource Specialist performs a variety of tasks relating to heritage sites, trail maintenance and construction, wildlife management, and assisting with the preparation of management plans on County Park and open space lands.

Class Description:

Performs senior level natural resource related work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes carrying out administrative and technical duties, which may include supervisory responsibility, related to planning, directing and overseeing the offering and operation of a variety of natural resource educational and community programs and services related to land use, wildlife, ecology, or forestry matters.  Such programs may be offered at the Robinson Nature Center, Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, or involve multiple sites around the County.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and directs program support and site maintenance of Historic sites.
• Assists with deer management including 4-Poster tick control and logistic support.
• Coordinates and monitors parkland thistle suppression program.
• Identifies and controls invasive species and maintains spray records.
• Coordinates and performs various natural resource management work including trail construction and maintenance, meadow management and implementation of natural resource management plans.
• Directs and oversees the implementation of special projects.
• May supervise, direct, oversee and evaluate work of some Natural Resource Division staff, contingent staff and volunteers.
• Directs and leads the work of a Natural Resource Technician II; including the operation of equipment such as a skid steer, mini-excavator, concrete buggy, tractor and other small hand power tools and chainsaws.
• Oversee the design, installation and maintenance of trail features such as kiosks, sign posts, and signs along with maintenance staff.
• Recognition and understanding of local tree species, invasive and native plant species and native rock and soil types.
• Travels throughout the County to accomplish assigned tasks.
• This position may be required to work at special and volunteer events.
• Plans and supervises annual volunteer events.
• Responsible for identifying and applying good sustainability practices into all aspects of Department operations.
• This position is considered essential and will be required to work emergency situations to include staffing the Department Operations Center.
• Serves on committees as assigned.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position may supervise contingent staff, interns and volunteers.

Qualifications

Minimum Required Education/Experience:

• Associate Degree and 3 years' experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Minimum of 2-year college level course work in natural resource management, ecology, forestry, or other related field is preferred.
• Basic computer skill plus proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and basic GIS and MapInfo skills.
• Strong knowledge and experience in identifying both native and non-native woody and herbaceous plants.
• Experience using hand held GPS units for data collection.
• Experience operating tractors, utility vehicles and hauling equipment with pick-up trucks and trailers.
• Experience handling, mixing and applying herbicides safely.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. 
• The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. 
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and distance vision.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. 
• The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Language Skills, Mathematical Skills and Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. 
• Ability to write simple correspondence. 
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. 
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Class C Maryland Driver's License or equivalent issued by state of residence.
• Maryland Pesticide Applicator's Certificate in Forest, Public Health and Aquatics, or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Roadside Tree Care Expert Certificate, or ability to obtain within 6 months.