Invasive Species (AIS) Management Lead

City of Boulder • Boulder, CO

1d • $27 - $40 • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, leads Boulder Reservoir’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) management and mitigation efforts, including prevention, monitoring, and education initiatives. This position oversees the control and mapping of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) and other aquatic invasive species through both manual and diver-assisted methods, while providing excellent customer service to visitors and partners. The role includes leading of seasonal staff, management of on-site watercraft storage and boat inspection operations, and routine facility patrols to ensure compliance with AIS and watercraft regulations. Collaborates closely with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), water utilities, and other local and regional partners to advance best practices and support the long-term protection of Boulder Reservoir’s aquatic resources.

Requirements

• Ability to work courteously and effectively with the public, including communicating department policies, procedures, and decisions.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision demonstrating dependability and reliability.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of formal and informal teams.
• Ability to understand the interests and concerns of others and able and willing to share and receive information.
• Ability to identify what needs to be done and does it before being asked or before the situation requires it.
• Completes work in a timely and consistent manner.
• Ability to actively listen to concerns and is open to the ideas of colleagues and customers.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively with the public and coworkers, with excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to be detail oriented and highly organized.
• Ability to work in a high stress environment.
• Ability, flexibility, and willingness to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergencies, as required.
• Knowledge of watercraft including motorized, wind, and human-powered watercraft.
• Knowledge of Aquatic Nuisance Species.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work and maintain acceptable screening.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Four (4) years of related experience.
• Background in Aquatic plants and/or Aquatic invasive species
• Successfully complete Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) certification within 3 months of hire.
• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.
• Successfully complete within the first 6 months of hire: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) trainer certification.
• CPW Boating Handbook with Regulations and Statutes
• American Red Cross Lifeguard training and waterfront lifeguarding certification
• Boat U.S. Foundation Boating Safety certification for Colorado.
• OSHA 10
• PADI or equivalent dive certification.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to read, write, and speak in Spanish in a professional capacity for communication objectives.
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) certification.
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) Trainer certification.
• Experience with watercraft operations.
• GPS & GIS experience.
• Experience with cash handling.
• Experience with open water recreation and emergency response.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard training certification.
• PADI or equivalent dive certification.

Responsibilities

• Leads AIS mitigation and management efforts at Boulder Reservoir, including Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) monitoring, mapping, and control.
• Oversees implementation of the EWM Management Plan and associated mitigation strategies including DASH program.
• Serves as a project manager for the scoping, contracting, and execution of projects related to AIS management, including the control of EWM at Boulder Reservoir.
• Conducts regular vegetation mapping, monitoring, and reporting to track AIS spread and effectiveness of management activities.
• Coordinates and supervises all boat inspections and decontaminations to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS.
• Provides consistent education and outreach to visitors, permit holders, and community groups regarding AIS prevention, compliance, and environmental stewardship.
• Maintains accurate and current AIS program data, reports, and tracking systems.
• Collaborates with CPW, water utilities, and other agencies on AIS-related projects, emergency response, and trend monitoring.
• Patrols Boulder Reservoir as a limited commission park code enforcement officer to protect natural resources, ensure permit compliance, and enforce watercraft and AIS regulations.
• Responds quickly and calmly in stressful and emergency situations to protect public safety and Reservoir resources.
• Interprets rules, regulations, and natural resource information to the public; resolves conflicts and issues citations when necessary.
• Uses GPS, databases, and other technologies to document inspections, vegetation monitoring, and compliance activities.
• Operates watercraft, trucks, UTVs, and decontamination units safely in variable environmental conditions.
• Actively monitors radio transmissions and responds in a clear and concise manner.
• Listens empathically and speaks persuasively in a confident, articulate, and professional manner.
• Interacts with the public to increase awareness of Reservoir rules and regulations and acts as a community advocate; communicates with diverse and multi-lingual community members, represents the department at various public events.
• Assists in recruiting, hiring, training and scheduling seasonal staff associated with AIS management and mitigation to ensure consistent AIS management and watercraft oversight.
• Leads AIS divers in AIS mitigation operations.
• Assists in educating and training all Reservoir staff in emergency and risk management procedures, shelter in place, hazardous communications, bloodborne pathogens and other safety programs as required.
• Leads in preparing and training the boat inspection team during a comprehensive orientation, extensive pre-season trainings, and monthly facility code trainings.
• Develops of boat inspector training content, progressions, and manuals.
• Helps build a solid team through intentional training, on-the-spot coaching opportunities, thoughtful evaluation, and persistent supervision.
• Develops others’ ability to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
• Takes a leadership role within all seasonal reservoir staff, efficiently assisting in assigning and coordinating tasks, and providing guidance as needed.
• Monitors ongoing work to ensure quality, efficiency, and adherence to operational standards.
• Maintains required and recommended certification and training of all boat inspector staff including but not limited to, First Aid/CPR/AED, Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) certification, defensive driving, and various other certifications.
• Ensures boat inspection building (BIB), and decontamination assets are operated efficiently, reliably, and safely in a manner consistent with the rules, regulations, and best practices.
• Continually updates to job knowledge to remain current with state and facility program changes, general safety and training, risk management issues, and the City of Boulder’s Urban Wildlife Management Plan and IPM Plan.
• Manages on-site storage for watercraft, ensuring compliance with safety and AIS mitigation standards.
• Assists in management of watercraft permit programs and registration systems, including cash handling and point-of-sale operations.
• Assists in preventative, restorative, and upkeep maintenance of the grounds, equipment, buildings, and facility.
• Assists with management, replacement schedules and maintenance functions for Boulder Reservoir equipment not maintained by Fleet services or Facility Assets management including multi-use vehicles; decontamination units, slew tanks, boat inspection building.
• Conducts regular inspections to ensure facility and equipment are safe.
• Demonstrates a proactive approach toward cleanliness and facility maintenance; ensures areas are neat, clean, and organized.
• Acts with minimal supervision and exercises considerable independent judgment, adapts quickly to changing circumstances and priorities, and effectively problem solves under ambiguity and limited resources.
• Knows the general facility operations of the Boulder Reservoir, including ability to open and close the facility.
• Ability to assist in all areas of the facility if issues or challenges arise.
• Performs a variety of administrative functions.
• Leads ordering and maintaining inventory log for AIS and watercraft programs equipment and supplies.
• Assists in the development of policies and procedures and assists in creating the direction and vision for the recreation division as a member of the recreation division staff.
• Leads other staff members to ensure that performance and efficiency remain high in the absence of facility manager.
• Manage staff members' issues and conflicts and customer complaints that staff cannot resolve at a lower level.
• Acts as lead staff person as needed in event of emergency, providing emergency response for enforcement and medical issues at Boulder Reservoir as needed.
• Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the City.
• Promotes a culture of teamwork and synergy through collaboration and communication.
• May serve on division, department, or City committees and task forces.
• Generates creative and innovative solutions to manage organizational issues and opportunities.
• Maintains and promotes professional ethics (i.e., honesty, integrity, respect, fairness, caring) in all conduct.
• Knows and complies with all City and Department policies, participate in professional trainings and development, and adhere to attendance and workplace attire policies.
• Keeps current with trends and issues as they affect the professional field of parks and recreation. This requires updating job knowledge through attendance and participation in continuing education opportunities such as conferences and specialty schools offered on recreation trends, management strategies and techniques.

Benefits

• Benefit Eligibility Group: Non Union (30+ Hours) Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED