Invasive Plant Technician II

Cleveland Metroparks • Parma, OH

16d • Onsite

About The Position

The Invasive Plant Management Technician works on an invasive plant control team as part of intensive habitat restoration program at Cleveland Metroparks. This position reports to Invasive Plant Coordinator at West Creek Management Center and works in reservations across entire Park District. Candidates will typically have some relevant coursework, one or more field seasons of relevant field work, and an aptitude and interest in learning the job.

Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge and practical outdoor work experience including plant, insect, mammal, or bird identification skills, farming, forestry, hydrology, aquatic ecology, civil engineering, GIS or a strong desire and aptitude to develop these skills.
• Participates in training sessions regarding invasive plant removal techniques; hand tool safety; pesticide safety; pesticide handling and equipment usage.
• Ability to utilize hand tools such as loppers, pruning shears, and forestry brushcutters, and carry 40-pound packs for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to read maps, follow written directions, and navigate through forest or wetland areas.
• Ability to walk up to 5 miles daily through challenging terrain including heavy vegetation, wetlands, and steep slopes.
• Ability to work outdoors and tolerate the climate and conditions of natural areas typical of northeast Ohio (including heat, humidity, poison ivy, and biting/stinging insects)
• Energy and enthusiasm for field work.
• Responsible attitude and work ethic.
• Positive disposition and ability to work well with a diverse team.
• Communicates well and continually updates co-workers and supervisor of progress and problems.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with stakeholders, including employees and the general public.
• Ability to speak and write clearly, concisely and persuasively with ability to communicate one-on-one or in group settings.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy and organization.
• Ability to perform with independence and initiative.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience with pesticide application, mixing chemicals, or pesticide certification preferred
• Skills in GIS and data entry, report writing, and data quality control preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of natural resource conservation practices and procedures preferred.

Responsibilities

• Control of invasive species including mechanical removal or selective chemical control
• Electronic recordkeeping, GPS mapping, and GIS data entry (using QGIS software)
• Cleaning, maintenance, and repair of hand tools, backpack sprayers, and other equipment
• Assisting crew members through teaching and demonstrating plant identification and/or safe and proper management methods
• Participates in training sessions regarding invasive plant removal techniques; hand tool safety; pesticide safety; pesticide handling and equipment usage

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees