Conservation Technician

Houston Parks Board•Houston, TX

10h•$46,000 - $48,000•Hybrid

About The Position

With guidance from, and under the direction of the Conservation Manager, the Conservation Technician I will coordinate the following activities within the Bayou Greenways Conservation and Maintenance program. This position involves hands-on work in restoring and maintaining natural areas and landscape resources; therefore it requires knowledge of plant/animal ecosystems and landscape techniques.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, natural resources, ecology, forestry, resource management, biology, wildlife biology, urban planning with an emphasis on environmental design or related field, or equivalent experience in a related field
1 or more years of experience managing natural resource management projects and environmental education programs
Strong knowledge of plants native to the Houston area, including tree identification
Experience with technical aspects and best practices of landscape and wildlife management
Expertise and understanding of landscape systems, ecological systems, green infrastructure and landscape sustainability
Understanding of long-term implications of construction-related decisions and practices on future maintenance operations
Plant identification skills are essential for a successful candidate
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to meet multiple deadlines with attention to detail, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and present viable solutions
Good communicator, including clear, concise and accessible reports, correspondence, procedural manuals and verbal presentations
Ability to work effectively with others in order to build mutual respect and solve problems
Ability to efficiently respond to questions from staff, Board members, program partners, funders and members of the community
Ability to effectively manage projects and project personnel, both volunteer and contractual
Demonstrated ability to work independently
Evidence of good judgment and decisiveness
Ability to work creatively and resourcefully within a determined budget
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite products, working knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ability to read and interpret landscape architectural plans
Must have valid Texas Driver’s License

Responsibilities

Understanding, monitoring, and caring for the native landscape bed resources and/or habitats along the Bayou Greenway system
Work collaboratively in the field with other conservation staff, volunteers and contractors on conservation projects
Essential oversight of contractors including ensuring maintenance work is completed and complies with standards, integrating newly completed conservation areas into maintenance activities, and assisting in the creation of maintenance Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) and Work Orders (WO’s)
Habitat vegetation inventory/assessment, as needed, utilizing best management practices
Natural resource management tasks, such as herbicide control of invasive species
Creation, replanting and rebuilding of habitats
Project coordination with HPB team members, including the maintenance team
Facilitate positive communication and collaboration with HPB staff, all key stakeholders, government agencies (including Houston Parks and Recreation Department “HPARD”, Harris County Precincts and Harris County Flood Control District “HCFCD”), project partners/volunteers and the general public
Regular meetings with Conservation Manager and Team
Capable of working effectively and independently in the field with minimal guidance
Additional duties as required