Part-Time/Seasonal Technician

Position Description Summary:
The Conservation Technician is a variable hour, part time employee of Des Moines County Conservation that participates in the management and operations of parks and associated facilities. Under the direction of the department’s Operations Supervisor, the person in this position performs construction work, equipment and facility maintenance and repairs, and various programs related to the operation and maintenance of county lands, parks, and facilities. This position is flexible and can be year-round at up to 29 hours per week, or seasonal full-time at 40 hours/week for up to 9 months.

Education and Experience Requirements:
A minimum of a high school diploma with additional coursework or experience in natural resources, outdoor recreation, facilities maintenance, construction, or other applicable field. Applicants must possess a strong appreciation of parks and outdoor recreation and a strong desire to provide quality outdoor recreation opportunities to the public.

Special Certification Requirements:

• Qualified applicants must possess, or be able to obtain the following certifications:
• A valid Iowa Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator Certification.
• Minimum wildland fire training of NWCG S-130/190 certification.
• CPR, First Aid, AED certification.

Conservation Technician Job Responsibilities, Duties and Requirements:

• Build, repair and maintain park and conservation area facilities.
• Operate and perform regular maintenance on trucks, tractors and light specialized equipment.
• Perform general park maintenance tasks such as vegetation control, cleaning restrooms, removing debris and refuse.
• Identify, report, and/or repair safety hazards.
• Patrol parks, providing assistance and information to the public and to park visitors and enforcing park rules.
• Perform duties in rough terrain and in extreme hot or cold temperatures.
• Supervise temporary/seasonal work crews as needed. 
• Effectively communicate as needed with park visitors, coworkers, volunteers, and agency partners.
• Represent the department professionally. 
• Inspect contracted services to ensure that work is completed in accordance with required standards.
• Attend relevant workshops and meetings related to park management. 
• Work occasional weekends, holidays, irregular hours and night shifts as needed, especially in the summer months. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Experience, Abilities, and Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of construction and facilities maintenance principles including, but not limited to, carpentry, plumbing, concrete and masonry, electrical, and metal fabrication.
• Extensive experience with hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of trees, shrubs, flowers, fish, reptiles, birds and other wildlife common to Iowa.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to work alone and with a team, some members of which may be seasonal staff with limited experience/ability.
• Ability to stay on task and complete work well and on time, with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to operate and maintain all kinds of trucks, tractors, loaders, and specialized construction and agricultural machinery.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Basic knowledge of farming and proper land management techniques.
• Basic knowledge of park, trail, and conservation area management principles.
• Ability to interpret and effectively apply policy, procedure, rules and regulations relative to conservation practices and park management.
• Ability to comprehend and apply laws relative to enforcement procedures.
• Knowledge of, and willingness and ability to effectively use technology related to the position including personal computers, laptops, mobile devices and associated software.

Essential Physical Demands and Typical Working Conditions:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The majority of work is performed outdoors and requires significant physical activity including walking, standing, kneeling, bending, crouching, reaching, stooping and climbing. This person will also be required to maneuver rough terrain on foot, is subject to work in hot, cold, wet, dusty, dirty, noisy, and/or fumy conditions or atmospheres. This person will be in contact with dust, dirt, chemicals, noise and severe weather conditions (extreme hot, cold, snow, ice, wind, rain, and flood) and exposed to outdoor elements such as mosquitoes, ticks, various plants, pollens, and fungi.

This person must have the ability to frequently push, pull, lift and/or carry equipment, supplies and other materials weighing up to 50 lbs., and to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry equipment, supplies and other materials weighing over 50 lbs. This person must also possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to use hands and arms to reach, handle, grasp and feel, and operate equipment that is used to perform the essential functions of this job.

Work requires extensive interaction with the general public and governmental agencies. It will at times be stressful, especially when meeting deadlines and making abrupt changes in priorities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment may be loud.

This is a variable hour, flexible schedule, part time and/or seasonal position. It is anticipated that this person will typically work an average of up to 29 hours per week year round, OR 40 hours per week during a seasonal employment not to exceed 9 months. However, no minimum number of hours are guaranteed. Work schedule is flexible, but will be generally between 7:00AM – 3:30PM on weekdays though occasionally schedules will include weekend work, especially between April and October.

Pay and Benefits:

• Starting wage: $17-$20/hour depending on qualifications.     
• Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) contributions.
• Uniform allowance
• Variable hour, part-time/seasonal position only.
• No insurance benefits are included.
• Employee at-will 

To Apply:
Send cover letter with resume and references to: 
Tanner Grimm, Operations Supervisor
Des Moines County Conservation
13700 Washington Rd.
West Burlington, IA 52655
conservation@dmcounty.com

Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. 

• Job Type: Part-Time
• Department: Conservation
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Salary Range: $17-$20/hour
• Posted: 2/16/24
• Expires: 3/29/24