Mesa County Technician - Weed And Pest

Mesa County•Grand Junction, CO

4d•$22 - $25

About The Position

Position assists the Noxious Weed and Pest Management Coordinator and Lead Technician with the management of List A noxious weed species and high priority populations of List B species, primarily within Mesa County, with some cooperative projects near the county borders. Additionally, the Technician will support outreach and education efforts for the Japanese Beetle and other species as directed. Position duties include utilizing integrated pest management methods to prioritize, treat, monitor, and map state and county listed noxious weeds species Scouting, treating, and monitoring activities may be required in wildland urban interface, high desert, rights of way, and riparian habitats, including along the Colorado, Gunnison and Dolores Rivers. Technician applying appropriate control or eradication practices will complete all treatments in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including internal Mesa County policies. Position will be required to work with residents, local, state, federal governments and non-governmental partners. Technician should be comfortable speaking with the public in a variety of settings. Position requires extensive hiking, rafting and kayaking, driving and navigating roads and properties to find site locations. Eradication efforts will require primarily chemical and mechanical control techniques. Handling and applying herbicides with hand-held or backpack sprayers, UTV mounted sprayers, or truck mounted sprayers will be a regular field duty, as well as utilizing a shovel to uproot individual or small populations of weeds. Some work with biological control agent collection and redistribution may also be performed periodically throughout the summer. Technician training for herbicide application, weed identification and Japanese Beetle eradication will be provided upon hire. (The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. Mesa County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of the job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.) Ensure that safety of employees during the course of work is prioritized. Conduct scouting and identiﬁcation of noxious weeds on private properties; Properly identify noxious weed species, determine management plans, and conduct appropriate treatment methods in compliance with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. § 35-5.5-101, et seq.). Employees must be able to conduct basic calculations, measure, mix, and apply herbicides to noxious weed infestations using proper methods according to regulations. Complete required documentation related to herbicide applications, maintain accurate, up-to-date paper and electronic records of work, and provide accurate, relevant information regarding noxious weed management to private landowners. Participate in community outreach and education including weed identification, weed control recommendations, and applicator safety. Assist in set-up and participate in various forms of public education events (i.e.: farmers market booths, ﬁeld trips, volunteer activities, informational pamphlet creation). Maintain and update mapping data through ESRI ARC Maps, ArcGIS Online, ESRI Collector, and EDDMapS West methodology, software, and apps. Ensure records are accurate and up-to-date by conducting data entry and utilizing relevant computer programs such as Microsoft Oﬃce software and Google apps. Maintain, inventory, and service equipment (backpack sprayers, UTV sprayer, truck sprayer, weed whacker, chainsaw, etc.) to ensure proper working order. Assist in managing roadside rights-of-way weed management objectives for regulated and nuisance weed species on County and state roadsides in coordination with the Mesa County and Colorado State Departments of Transportation. Advise and educate the public regarding rights-of-way weed management and herbicide treatment, responds to complaints, concerns, and requests for alternative management strategies. Attend meetings and assist with setting an agenda and note taking, when requested. Oral and written communications in English must be clear and effective. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Degree in related ﬁeld of study (Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Botany, or closely related ﬁeld) OR 1 year of noxious weed treatment ﬁeld experience OR 1 year of herbicide application experience.
OR Any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.
Ability to perform algebra and arithmetic, knowledge of proper and safe chemical handling, and an understanding of general concepts of biology, ecology, agriculture, and pest management.
Ability to work in an office setting to complete required reporting.
May require use of Google products, Microsoft Oﬃce, Arc GIS software, and Workday for invoicing and timekeeping.
Ideal candidates are energetic, self-motivated, self-managed, take initiative, are willing and able to schedule, prioritize, and accomplish tasks with little supervision, and are able to communicate respectfully and eﬀectively with co-workers and citizens with diverse opinions in order to develop and complete projects.
Valid State of Colorado Driver’s License at the time of hire.
Colorado Qualified Supervisor or Certified Operator pesticide applicator license.
Awareness and execution of safe working practices
Physical ability to walk for several miles outdoors in variable terrain and weather conditions, while carrying and operating a backpack sprayer
Basic plant/weed identification skills
Work well with others, and work well independently
Read and follow directions, both orally and in writing
Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
Proficient in basic arithmetic and basic algebraic calculations
Read and navigate using a paper map or electronic mapping device
PC experience, including Microsoft Office and Excel software
Able to carry on professional education-based conversations with the public

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience collaborating with land management agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and homeowners.
Proven expertise in river safety, including relevant certifications or qualifications.
Possession of a Colorado Qualified Supervisor or Certified Operator pesticide applicator license.
Chainsaw Certification
Basic First Aid
Wilderness First Aid
Colorado Pesticide Applicator Training within previous 2 years
River guide training
Swiftwater Rescue Training
Pesticide applicator licenses/qualifications
Experience with, or good understanding of digital and electronic mapping software (ESRI, Arc GIS)
Relevant education/coursework from an accredited college or university.
Prior field experience working in natural resource settings.
Experience with herbicide application
River rafting experience/skills

Responsibilities

Ensure that safety of employees during the course of work is prioritized.
Conduct scouting and identiﬁcation of noxious weeds on private properties
Properly identify noxious weed species, determine management plans, and conduct appropriate treatment methods in compliance with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. § 35-5.5-101, et seq.).
Employees must be able to conduct basic calculations, measure, mix, and apply herbicides to noxious weed infestations using proper methods according to regulations.
Complete required documentation related to herbicide applications, maintain accurate, up-to-date paper and electronic records of work, and provide accurate, relevant information regarding noxious weed management to private landowners.
Participate in community outreach and education including weed identification, weed control recommendations, and applicator safety.
Assist in set-up and participate in various forms of public education events (i.e.: farmers market booths, ﬁeld trips, volunteer activities, informational pamphlet creation).
Maintain and update mapping data through ESRI ARC Maps, ArcGIS Online, ESRI Collector, and EDDMapS West methodology, software, and apps.
Ensure records are accurate and up-to-date by conducting data entry and utilizing relevant computer programs such as Microsoft Oﬃce software and Google apps.
Maintain, inventory, and service equipment (backpack sprayers, UTV sprayer, truck sprayer, weed whacker, chainsaw, etc.) to ensure proper working order.
Assist in managing roadside rights-of-way weed management objectives for regulated and nuisance weed species on County and state roadsides in coordination with the Mesa County and Colorado State Departments of Transportation.
Advise and educate the public regarding rights-of-way weed management and herbicide treatment, responds to complaints, concerns, and requests for alternative management strategies.
Attend meetings and assist with setting an agenda and note taking, when requested.
Oral and written communications in English must be clear and effective.
Perform other related duties as assigned.