MESA COUNTY TECHNICIAN – WEED AND PEST

Location Type: Not Specified

 

$22.29 – $25.07

JOB SUMMARY
(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. The County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Certifications

• 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

Candidate skills/knowledge/abilities

Required:

• 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

Recommended:

• 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

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid State of Colorado Driver’s License at the time of hire.

Colorado Qualified Supervisor or Certified Operator pesticide applicator license.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The position requires walking, standing, stooping, sitting, squatting, bending and twisting at the waist, lifting up to 50 pounds, grasping, pinching, bending at the elbow, twisting at the wrist and shoulder.

Must have the ability to navigate terrain of varying difficulty, including steep slopes, rocky areas, forests, wetlands and riparian areas.

Must have the ability to walk for several miles outdoors in variable terrain and weather conditions, while carrying and operating a backpack sprayer.

The employee is frequently exposed to dirt, smoke, fumes, extreme heat and cold for long duration, traffic noise, and dust for sustained periods of time.

Exposure to inclement weather conditions is to be expected.

The employee is exposed to the possibility of insect stings, and unexpected encounters with domestic and wild animals including livestock, horses, dogs, skunks, snakes, birds, etc.

Must be able to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK ACT
In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act the following items can be used as a determining factor in the starting and ongoing wage of an employee working in this position:

A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment; A merit system that rewards employees for exceptional job performance.

Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to or impact the efficiency of the work in question.

This position is eligible for the following Mesa County benefits:

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement

Paid Sick and Vacation Leave

Life insurance

Long term disability

Agency

Mesa County

Address

544 Rood Ave

Grand Junction, CO 81501

Phone

970- 244 – 1856

Website

http://www.mesacounty.us