Natural Resource And Agriculture Specialist - Arapahoe County Government

Description
The position is a field-based specialist position with an emphasis on open
spaces, rangelands, native grasslands, agricultural areas, and
riparian area management and stewardship. The specialist will be responsible
for the coordination of associated operational, maintenance, stewardship
and improvement programs and assigned staff and contractors. Also serves as a
member of the Operations Team supporting general field operations and
maintenance of County open spaces, parks, and trails as assigned by
supervisor.
Duties
Perform maintenance and steward activities on open spaces, rangelands,
agricultural areas, forests, wetlands, riparian areas, and trail
corridors throughout the County. Support minor/major maintenance,
stewardship, and capitol improvement projects.
Assist administrative and management staff with the planning and development
of natural resource, agricultural resource and visitor use programs,
plans, prescriptions, contracts, and leases for divisional properties.
Provides technical guidance and direction to Operations staff on field
stewardship activities.
Plan, monitor, and implement routine natural resource management,
agricultural management, and stewardship operations and plans on County open
spaces, rangelands, native grasslands, agricultural, wetlands, and
riparian areas. Drafts associated reports and maintains databases to support
program operations and management.
Understand and read natural resource plans, agricultural plans, grazing
plans, construction plans, and restoration prescriptions to support sound
land development, stewardship, and operations. Provide input to
construction plans for property and recreational development in partnership
with planning staff.
Performs restoration of native grasslands, soil conservation activities,
range management, reforestation, and riparian area management, including
native grass seeding operations, the planting, establishment and
maintenance of trees shrubs and herbaceous plants, and the management of
noxious weeds on open space properties and trail corridors.
Installs, inspects, maintains, and operates open space, rangeland,
agricultural, and trailhead amenities; list includes but not limited to
fences/gates, drainage systems, barns, corrals, irrigation
systems, stock tanks, site signage, wildlife cameras,
trails/trailheads, and other related equipment and facilities.
Operates and maintains open space, agricultural, forestry and trail
maintenance equipment including but not limited to County vehicles,
seeders, mowers, spray equipment, chainsaws, plows, power tools,
tractors, UTVs, dump trucks, trailers, skid steers, front-end
loaders, bucket trucks, and mini excavators.
Maintains and conducts periodic natural resource, wetland, and property
asset inventory surveys associated with each site, trailhead and trail
utilizing a maintenance management system, GPS devices, geographic
information systems and other computerized technologies.
Monitor open spaces, rangelands, agricultural areas, and riparian areas
for compliance with County land management standards and policies. Builds and
utilizes collaborative relationships with local/state/federal land
management agencies, partners, and universities.
Participates in public outreach, citizen, adjacent landowner,
agricultural lessee, and volunteer education/engagement efforts and
programs to provide information on divisional natural resource management,
range management, agricultural management, and other stewardship activities.
Understands and adheres to safe work practices and procedures related to
equipment operations, noxious weed management, and field maintenance
operations.
Maintains assorted records and reports utilizing County software applications
to track work reporting/monitoring, develop work orders, and ensure
ongoing sustainable land management practices.
Supports the removal of debris and snow from open spaces, parks,
trailheads, tra ls and sidewalks using sweeping and snow removal equipment.
Supports County level snow removal and emergency management operations when
necessary.
Supports the operations and logistics associated with special events occurring
at the 17 Mile House Farm Park, Fairgrounds Event Center or through
Departmental partnerships.
Skills, Abilities and Competencies:
Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques
of o pen space, range management, agricultural production, and natural
area restoration (including urban, rural, and agricultural landscapes).
Extensive knowledge and skills in the use of materials, tools, and
equipment used in open space, rangeland, riparian area, agricultural
property maintenance and repair.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques of open
space, rangeland, riparian area, agricultural property management and
stewardsh
Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety practices. Ability to
train and educate field staff on these practices.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of Best Management Practices in open
space, range management, agricultural system operation and maintenance.
Including the use of technologies to monitor and collect data on plant
communities, range conditions or visitor use of properties/trails.
General knowledge of grasslands and natural Colorado habitats to include
grasses, forbs, trees, plant identification, and associate restoration
techniques.
Knowledge in the use and application of GPS devices, geographic information
systems, and other technologies to collect field data, monitor, and
manage natural resources, agricultural areas, and associated assets.
Use of maintenance management and work order software to track time and effort
required to manage natural resource and agricultural programs and activities.
Ability to work independently on a regular basis and occasionally lead a team
of field staff.
Ability to apply pesticides/herbicides as part of an integrated pest
management program. Inventory techniques utilizing geographic information
systems or global positioning systems.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions which includes