Environmental Lands Technician

The Environmental Lands Technician duties involve all aspects of managing the County’s system of designated nature preserves and environmental lands. Coordination with the Environmental Lands Specialist and Parks and Recreation Department in the operation and maintenance in accordance with adopted resource management plans and accepted natural resource practices for the Hernando County preserves is required. Coordination with other County Departments and outside agencies is also required.

The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but shall not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

• Assists in managing the ecological resources on County nature preserves and parks including invasive plant management program, prescribed burning program, habitat restoration and other ecological activities in accordance with adopted policies, guidelines, and practices.

• Coordinates the maintenance of recreational amenities and physical structures/buildings on designated nature preserves.
• Repairs and maintains all aspects of nature preserves.
• Builds and repairs a variety of fences.
• Maintains preserve trails and amenities such as kiosks, parking areas, and pavilions.
• Trims and removes trees.
• Operates most equipment associated with lawn/turf maintenance.
• Transports equipment used in daily activities from site to site.
• Operates equipment (tractor, ditch-witch, jackhammer) and all other power tools associated with construction projects.
• Maintains records for equipment.
• Effectively manage phone calls from staff in your assigned area regarding questions, repairs or other circumstance that may arise.
• Prioritize all maintenance repairs and safety concerns accordingly.
• Communicate directly with the Environmental Lands Specialist about repairs, safety issues/concerns, and other pertinent information in your area.
• Custodial duties within nature preserves as necessary.
• Regular attendance including occasional weekends.
• Additional duties as requested by manager.

County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description.

• Education:
  
  High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience:
  
  Five (5) years of experience in building, electrical, plumbing, construction, or an acceptable combination of training and experience.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License and be insurable by current insurance carrier.
• FDACS Chemical applicators license in aquatics and natural areas must be obtained within 1 year of employment.

• Knowledge of all phases of maintenance and construction.
• Knowledge of safe, efficient, and effective use of equipment, hand, and power tools.
• Knowledge of the proper use of electrical test equipment.
• Ability to make time and material estimates.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with departments, associates, and the public.
• Ability to investigate, analyze and make recommendations regarding preserve problems or complaints.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions with minimum supervision.
• Ability to effectively communicate with other County employees, public officials, governmental agencies, civic and professional organizations, volunteers and the general public.

• Skills:
  
  balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, use of hands, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, visual acuity, and walking.
• The work is very heavy work:
  Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

• Works outside in field situations. Also works inside and closely with…