Natural Technician-Hourly

Salt Lake City Corporation

1d•$19•Onsite

About The Position

Natural lands technicians are responsible for stewardship, maintenance and improvement of urban natural areas including foothill upland sites, riparian and wetland areas, trails and bike parks, and other special sites within Salt Lake City’s natural lands system. Technicians working within the natural lands team will work alongside an area specialist in a variety of general maintenance and habitat restoration tasks along the Jordan River or in our riparian nature parks which are located along City Creek, Red Butte Creek, Emigration Creek, and Parleys Creek. Technicians will also work alongside an irrigation specialist performing repairs, retrofitting current irrigation systems, testing systems for functionality, setting up temporary irrigation for native plant establishment, and exploring ways to conserve water, and alongside an invasive species management specialist in close collaboration with Restoration Ecology team members to manage invasive species posing threats to native restoration sites, future restoration sites, and places of interest through mechanical and chemical treatments. Employees should expect to collaborate often with other technicians and specialists to perform habitat restoration processes and plantings.

Requirements

Demonstrated knowledge and skills in plant identification, restoration, farming, forestry, hydrology or ecology or a strong desire and aptitude to develop these skills
Practical outdoor work experience
Valid Driver’s License and ability to safely drive large pickup trucks
Basic experience and knowledge of natural resource management practices and procedures
Demonstrated ability to operate hand tools and light equipment
Demonstrated ability to work in adverse conditions including rain, high or low temperatures, insects, and difficult terrain and to work full days outdoors without regular access to amenities
Demonstrated ability to stay on task, especially when work is tedious and repetitive
Demonstrated ability to handle unexpected changes in plans with flexibility, patience, and creative problem solving
Must be 16 years of age or older

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or six months of field experience in natural resources, natural sciences, landscaping, trails, environmental education, or other outdoor industries
Effective at leading and motivating small groups
Excellent observation and communication skills (written and verbal)
Demonstrated knowledge of plant identification and invasive plant management
Detail-oriented and focused on accuracy and quality control
Ability to haul and backup trailer with hand signal assistance

Responsibilities

Ecological restoration through invasive plant management and revegetation efforts
Restoration project site preparation including: vegetation management, laying tarps and weed fabric, plant transportation, and native plant site arrangement
Native species planting
Vegetation management and control of invasive species, including hand pulling, solarization, and the use of herbicides and power equipment such as mowers, line trimmers, brush cutters, and chainsaws
Identification of native and non-native plant species
General maintenance of trails and nature parks
Maintenance of natural surface trails and trail amenities including use of hand and power tools and mechanized equipment
Litter cleanup
Installation and maintenance of fencing and signage
Pruning vegetation and clearing debris from trail and park amenities
Weeding and managing invasive species
Maintenance tasks associated with trails and park safety
Basic irrigation repair including replacing spray heads and fixing leaks
Hand watering trees and native plants
Light equipment operation
Interface with the public, including providing support to volunteer projects, stewardship events, and engaging with park visitors
On the job training and professional development
Various other tasks in support of Salt Lake City’s system of public lands and trails
Communicate and continually updates co-workers and supervisor of progress and problems
Follow and prioritize safety requirements and hazard/risk assessment of themselves and the team, utilizing provided personal protective equipment (PPE).
Performs other duties as assigned.