Vegetation Management Aide

Posted 12/03/2025 County Story Location Nevada, Iowa Salary $17.25/hour Deadline 01/04/2026

Two positions are available for the summer of 2026. The positions offer opportunities to assist in implementing Story County's Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management program. Major emphasis is on native vegetation management, reconstruction and restoration of roadsides, prairie remnants, open ditches and natural areas. Assigned tasks will also utilize the latest trends in natural resource and vegetation management focusing on prairie establishment and invasive plant control.

The positions start May 18, 2026, and end approximately August 21, 2026. Early spring and/or fall employment opportunities may be available for qualified candidates. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Vegetation Management Biologist and Vegetation Management Specialist.

Hours will average 40 hours per week. The standard work week is Monday-Friday. Work hours may vary depending on weather conditions and some evening or early morning work may be necessary.

• Planting native vegetation.
• Performs prescribed burns.
• Controlling brush, mowing and applying herbicide.
• Harvesting, cleaning, and mixing prairie seed.
• Maintaining tools, equipment, and facilities.

Other duties include documenting, mapping and assessing projects utilizing Arc Map GIS software. Various types of equipment utilized in these operations include: tractors, trucks/trailers, UTVs, boom mowers, hydroseeders, chemical sprayers, chainsaws and other related equipment.

Vegetation management aides must maintain working relationships with the public, other conservation units, and secondary roads personnel. Opportunities will be available for staff to attend workshops and seminars as assigned.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a current, valid driver's license.
• Applicants with wildland fire training preferred.
• Applicants must have the ability to obtain a category 6 pesticide applicator certification within the first two weeks of employment.
• Opportunities to obtain additional pesticide applicator certifications may exist.
• Employee will undergo post-offer, pre-employment background checks and drug screening.
• Mandatory safety training is scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026.

General knowledge of herbicide labels, chainsaws and brush chippers, various sprayers, UTV, power hand tools, tractors, PTO driven rotary mowers, hydraulic driven boon mowers, firefighting skid units, and hydroseeders; general knowledge of repair manuals, equipment operation manuals, maps, and parts schematics; general knowledge of vehicle maintenance reports, sprayer calibrations, Arc map/Arc catalog, and Beacon GIS; ability to create and maintain applicable records of service;

ability to operate standard office equipment and related hardware and software; ability to learn specialized software related to department needs; ability to learn specialized equipment related to business needs; ability to work from sketches, drawings, plans or specifications; ability to follow oral and written instructions; ability to  plants; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the general public.

A cover letter and resume must accompany the online application.

Submit online application with resume and cover letter.