POSTING TYPE: Open-competitive
DEPARTMENT: Operations Management - Parks
HOURS: Full-time, temporary up to 6 months
HIRING RANGE: $17.50 - 19.00/hour depending on qualifications
LOCATION: Will vary based on project, sites may include: Lebanon Hills Regional Park Maintenance Facility, Spring Lake Park Reserve Maintenance Facility, Western Service Center and/or teleworking.
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: This posting will remain open until all available positions are filled.

Dakota County is seeking seasonal Natural Resource Temps who are enthusiastic about natural resource management. The individual must be motivated to perform skilled work, coordinate tasks, and provide assistance for the implementation of natural resource restoration and stewardship projects for the Parks Department.

The successful candidate will work closely with County Natural Resources staff, other seasonal technicians, volunteers, restoration contractors and Conservation Corps Minnesota crews.

This posting will be used to fill four Natural Resource Temp positions for the upcoming spring/summer season to work primarily in one of two 'tracks' (vegetation or wildlife surveying). However, there may be opportunities to gain work experience in other areas listed below.

For this 6 month position, the following tasks will be performed:

• Vegetation surveying and monitoring. This will include tasks such as conducting and recording relevés, transects, photo monitoring, and plant community inventories; analyzing and interpreting the data from said surveys and monitoring.
• Wildlife surveying and monitoring. This will include tasks such as: trapping and handling turtles, small mammals, snakes, salamanders, bees, and butterflies, as well as surveying for bats, anurans, and birds, and also setting up trail cameras.
• Bison Monitoring and Husbandry. Work directly with bison technician to perform the following tasks as needed:

• Daily monitoring of bison herd
• Assist with surveillance and maintenance of fence and gates
• Assist with the feeding and watering of the bison herd
• Assist with wildlife and vegetation surveys
• Record keeping
• Trail camera installation and photo analysis

• Performing other duties as assigned. These may include:

• Creating maps using ESRI mapping tools
• Data entry and data analysis
• Managing invasive vegetation, including assisting on prescribed burns
• Collecting and cleaning seed
• Assisting with project communication to the public
• Assisting with restoration project administration
• Assisting with native plant propagation efforts
• Assisting with volunteer programs
• Assisting with deer hunt administration tasks
• Assisting with report writing and presentations

• Two years of pertinent coursework working towards a degree in forestry, botany, natural resource management, wildlife management or a closely related field.

• At least 6 months of hands-on natural resource experience; the work experience may have been earned as a volunteer, intern or direct employment.

• Valid Driver's License

• 
  Familiarity with ArcGIS products such as ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, etc.
• Direct work experience in, and knowledge of, prairies, forests and/or wetlands
• Advanced level of plant identification skills
• Knowledge of tree diseases, their diagnosis and related control methods
• Wildlife handling, monitoring and identifying (e.g., herptiles, birds, insects, fish, and small mammals)
• Direct hands-on experience with hoofstock and/or rangeland management
• Ecological restoration management (including invasive species control, prescribed burning, planting or seeding of native plant species, stream or lakeshore restoration, and prairie restoration)
• Working with volunteers; providing informal natural resources interpretation to the public
• Working with Excel spreadsheets
• Strong writing skills

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• Knowledge of practices, functions and procedures for skilled, complex and specialized natural resources restoration tasks.
• Knowledge of safety rules, regulations and practices. Ability to proficiently and safely operate light equipment, power tools and vehicles.
• Knowledge in the management and identification of Minnesota native and invasive plant species including: trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses, sedges, rushes, and ferns/fern allies.
• Knowledge in the management and identification of Minnesota native wildlife species.
• Ability to organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of others.
• Ability to work with other department staff and programs, and manage projects.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, public officials and the general public.
• Ability to analyze needs and problems related to natural resource restoration and stewardship.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read, understand maps, plans and other graphics used to communicate tasks.
• Ability to work with Excel spreadsheets, ESRI mapping software, and GIS/GPS equipment
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather and terrain conditions

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring