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Job Opportunity: Natural Resources & Trails Specialist, Fanno Creek Service Center (Beaverton, OR)

The Natural Resources & Trails Specialist is responsible for the management of park district natural areas, trails, and park natural features, including:  supervision of Park Rangers and Natural Resources Technicians; planning for and management of restoration, mitigation, and enhancement projects; trails management programs; botanical and wildlife analyses, wetland and upland evaluations, and program recommendations; response to public inquiries and concerns.

***This full-time position is generally scheduled Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, with occasional weekend responsibilities.

Supervision Received and Exercised

This position receives direct supervision from the Superintendent of Natural Resources and Trails Management and exercises lead direction over assigned staff.

Essential Job Functions:

•Perform the administrative, organizational, and implementation tasks related to management of park district natural resources, natural features, and trails.  Maintain records and files pertaining to natural resource areas and trails.

•Define and evaluate wetland and upland habitats for preservation or restoration programs.

•Provide assessment of water resource areas (streams, wetlands, ponds, etc.) and their buffers for jurisdictional agency review and/or permitting, or as needed by other park district staff.

•Develop, implement and review Natural Resources Management Plans for parks.

•Design and implement natural area preservation and restoration programs.  Provide input to long-range planning objectives and develop recommendations and options to current vegetation and wildlife practices.

•Evaluate and monitor existing restoration, preservation, and mitigation projects.  Provide best practice recommendations and budgets for proposed projects.

•Supervise activities of Park Rangers, Natural Resources Technicians, interns, volunteers, and other staff as assigned.  Work cooperatively with other park district departments as needed to manage natural resources and trail issues.   Create solutions to trail user issues, design trail enhancement projects, and maintain trail surfaces.

•Promote safety and loss control measures.  Work with Park Rangers to enforce security issues in parks and on trails.

•Respond to public inquiries and concerns as they pertain to natural resource areas in parks and trail usage.  Promote best management practices within district parks to preserve and protect habitat and wildlife while ensuring patron safety.

•Respond to citizen concerns as they relate to natural resource and trail usage issues.

•Provide excellent internal and external customer service.  Create a positive experience for customers through professional and courteous behavior and creative problem evaluation.

•Practice safe work habits and contribute to the safety of self, co-workers and the general public.

•Actively support and respect diversity in the workplace.

Other Job Functions

•Attend staff meetings.

•Serve on or provide support to a variety of committees, task forces or groups as necessary.

•Perform other job related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

•Pesticides, their variety, basic uses, and effects on plants and animals.

•A variety of power tools and hand tools appropriate to natural area maintenance, their effective uses and safety considerations.

•Theory, principles and practices of natural resource issues and management concerns.

•Specific attributes of the various types of wetlands, forested areas, streams, meadows, slopes, etc. of this region of the Pacific Northwest, including plant and animal identification techniques

•Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and safety regulations.

•Best management practices, technological developments, and trends in natural resource management.

•Interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

•Current office procedures, methods, equipment, computers and applicable software.  Knowledge of GIS is desirable.

•Basic trail design and maintenance.  Trail issues recognition and resolution including negotiation and conflict management techniques.

•Basic principles and practices of planning, organizing, scheduling, and evaluation of staff, programs, and services.

Ability to:

•Correctly interpret and apply the policies and procedures of the function to which assigned.

•Collect, compile and analyze information and data.

•Identify occupational hazards and use safety precautions.

•Understand the organization and operation of the District and outside agencies as related to assigned responsibilities.

•Work a flexible schedule, including weekends and evenings when needed.

•Maintain a neat, professional appearance.

•Operate a variety of field equipment including: chainsaw, string trimmer, and hand tools, as well as office equipment, including: copy machine, fax, phone system, computer and Internet.

•Write clear and concise reports, legally sufficient documents, and grant proposals.

•Communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing with a variety of people or organizations to answer questions and explain information, policies, regulations, decisions, or actions.

•Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, other staff members, program participants and the general public.

•Physical ability to perform the duties associated with this position

Licenses, Certificates, and other Requirements

•Must maintain a valid Oregon Driver License and use personal vehicle for work related purposes.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that would likely provide the applicant with the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

•Three (3) years experience in environmental sciences and/or natural resources management, including at least one year of biological survey or other fieldwork.

AND

Education/Training:

•Equivalent to a Bachelor Degree in biology, ecology, wildlife management, environmental science, or related field.

http://www.thprd.org/about/hr/home.cfm