Environmental Technician I

Polk County Board of County Commissioners•Bartow, FL

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Skilled technical work within a comprehensive natural areas management program. This role involves significant field work, assisting in invasive exotic treatment in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, operating mechanical equipment for management activities, prescribed burning, monitoring, and activities associated with nature-based recreation.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma.
Must have a valid Florida driver's license at time of employment.
Ability to swim.
Ability and agility to perform various labor tasks in all weather conditions.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to drive from work site to work site.
Ability to learn and use technology associated with tablets, GPS units, smartphones, and depth finders for management activities.
Ability to learn basic map-making skills using GIS or similar programs.
Ability to learn to operate and provide maintenance and emergency repairs on airboats, outboard motorboats, spray equipment, and tractors.
Ability to learn the occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable in the operation of herbicides and assigned equipment.
Ability to lift 40-50 pounds regularly and 80-100 pounds occasionally.
Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with employees, officials, and the public.
Ability to perform tasks that require eye and hand coordination.
Steadiness of hand.
Ability to push and/or pull equipment while loading or unloading.
Ability to see, ambulate independently, drive, bend, stoop, sit, and stand.
Ability to sit for long periods.
Ability to think and react calmly and responsively to emergencies.
Ability to work with and around various chemical and smoke conditions.
Knowledge of county, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations related to environmental lands.
Knowledge of environmental management methods, techniques, and application processes within program operation.
Knowledge of natural community habitats.
Knowledge of types of equipment used in environmental lands and aquatic operations.

Nice To Haves

Prescribed Burn Manager Certificate
Prescribed fire Line Boss Training
Basic map making skills with GIS mapping including creating shape files such as polygons, grids and points
Experience planning large partial or whole lake submersed plant treatments
Ability to navigate natural areas and collect data using GPS unit, I Pad or similar equipment
Demonstrate knowledge on general maintenance and repair of portable pumps and small equipment.
Plant identification skills

Responsibilities

Assisting with management activities on assigned natural areas.
Planning and executing treatments for nuisance and invasive vegetation in compliance with state and federal label guidelines in both terrestrial and aquatic areas.
Ensuring proper mixture and application of herbicides using appropriate drift control techniques.
Calibrating all spray equipment.
Operating automotive trucks, all-terrain vehicles, airboats, outboard motor boats, harvesters, tractors, mowers, and related equipment for herbicide applications and land management activities.
Providing general and preventive maintenance of assigned equipment such as UTVs, boats, tractors, and trucks.
Transporting equipment such as UTV’s, tractors, boats, or mowers from site to site.
Assisting with inventorying, ordering, and maintaining supplies, including various herbicides and chemicals.
Performing management activities such as removal of trash and building structures, control of invasive animal species, creating and marking trails, creating parking areas and walk-through gates, maintaining fences, mechanical and chemical maintenance of roads, property lines, and fire breaks, construction of benches and picnic shelters, and assisting with revegetation activities.
Participating in all aspects of prescribed burns, including operation of prescribed fire equipment and preparation of sites.
Performing fire line preparation, ignition, mop-up, and engine operation and maintenance during prescribed burns.
Participating on prescribed fires as a burn crew member, burn boss, or crew boss.
Conducting field inspections, monitoring, and surveying for plants and animals.
Using various devices in the field, including smartphones, tablets, GPS units, and depth finders for navigation, monitoring, taking photos, and data collection.
Entering data into a computerized database and reviewing data entry for accuracy.
Creating basic maps/plans for management activities such as prescribed fire, herbicide applications, and vegetation monitoring.
Keeping accurate records of work performed and chemicals used.
Assisting with management activities associated with nature-based recreation at environmental land sites.