Natural Resources Worker Lead - BELLINGHAM CITY OF
City of Bellingham, WA
About the Job
Do you have interest in ecological and habitat restoration? Enjoy leading a team to restore and improve natural areas on public land? Apply to join the Natural Resources Restoration team as the Lead!
***Please note: If you are interested in the Natural Resources Worker I/II position as well, you will also need to apply to that position before it closes.***
This position performs manual field work for the Natural Resources Division of Public Works. Provides support to Natural Resources programming including the Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program, Habitat Restoration Program and Wetland Mitigation Program. Serves as lead to Natural Resources Workers I & II with responsibility for providing on-site instruction, day-to-day direction, communication and support to ensure the needs of Natural Resources programs are met. Leads and participates in ecological restoration activities through the performance of planting native plants, weed management, irrigation and construction and maintenance activities. Performs manual labor and field work involving operation of heavy equipment and hand and power tools. Decommissions, reroutes and maintains trails and constructs signage, fencing and pedestrian boardwalks. Collects, documents and records data. Researches questions, investigates issues, makes recommendations and carries out objectives under the direction of the Supervisor.
This position will start at Step 1 ($29.21/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The 2023 full hourly range for this position is $29.21 - $35.91. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.
City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.
Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.
For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is frequently performed outdoors in developed and undeveloped areas with frequent exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Work is occasionally performed in an office setting at a desk or computer terminal. The work involves moderate risks when handling and applying herbicides and working with mechanical tools and equipment. Frequent exposure to difficult terrain, loud noises and water. Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipment and follow established safety policies. Employees may be required to wear personal protective equipment, such as vests, helmets, gloves, chaps, boots etc. This is a field work position with continuous physical exertion requirements.
Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including:
***Please note: If you are interested in the Natural Resources Worker I/II position as well, you will also need to apply to that position before it closes.***
This position performs manual field work for the Natural Resources Division of Public Works. Provides support to Natural Resources programming including the Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program, Habitat Restoration Program and Wetland Mitigation Program. Serves as lead to Natural Resources Workers I & II with responsibility for providing on-site instruction, day-to-day direction, communication and support to ensure the needs of Natural Resources programs are met. Leads and participates in ecological restoration activities through the performance of planting native plants, weed management, irrigation and construction and maintenance activities. Performs manual labor and field work involving operation of heavy equipment and hand and power tools. Decommissions, reroutes and maintains trails and constructs signage, fencing and pedestrian boardwalks. Collects, documents and records data. Researches questions, investigates issues, makes recommendations and carries out objectives under the direction of the Supervisor.
This position will start at Step 1 ($29.21/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The 2023 full hourly range for this position is $29.21 - $35.91. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.
City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.
Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.
For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:
- Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
- Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Provides day-to-day oversight of lower classified Natural Resources field crew (Natural Resources Worker I & II) in the absence of the supervisor. Ensures safe and efficient performance of daily work. Provides training, on-site instruction and day-to-day direction. Supports the Natural Resources Field Supervisor in implementing and communicating work assignments. Refers complex technical questions, conflicts and personnel issues to Supervisor. Uses Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to create and manage work orders for field staff.
- Leads and participates in daily field preparation and implementation of native landscape restoration, mitigation and property conservation activities such as clearing the worksite; soil amendments; grading; planting; mulching; weed management including herbicide application, brush cutting and manual weeding; forest management and thinning; structure and debris removal; installation, maintenance and repair of irrigation systems; fish isolation and fish salvage; and construction and maintenance of signs, fences and boardwalks. Performs quality assurance and quality control of work performed.
- Leads the operation and maintenance of a native plant nursery under the direction of the Supervisor, including planting seedlings, watering, plant propagation, and ensuring proper inventory. Ensures appropriate levels of cleanliness and organization are maintained.
- Leads and participates in activities associated with decommissioning, rerouting and maintaining trails. Work involves revegetation, constructing/demolishing bridges and signage, and configuring drainage.
- Conducts rapid site assessments of restoration, mitigation and property conservation sites for completeness, effectiveness, maintenance needs, hazards and encroachments. Initiates work orders based on findings.
- Documents and inputs monitoring data for parameters such as vegetation, water quality, geomorphic and fish and wildlife, as needed.
- Assists in hiring and training lower classified Natural Resources Worker positions. Provides support in reviewing experience and training requirements and participates in panel interviews.
- Operates light equipment such as chainsaws, mowers, riding mowers, line trimmers, brush cutters, miter saws, field sweepers, tracked wheelbarrows, pressure washers and a variety of hand tools and hand power tools.
- Operates heavy equipment such as pickup trucks with trailer attachments, dump trucks, small tractors with 3-point attachments (Category 1 & 2), backhoes and excavators.
- Performs manual labor such as digging, shoveling, raking, lifting, and pushing a wheelbarrow.
- Assists Natural Resources Field Supervisor in responding to public inquiries and concerns. Investigates complaints and issues and resolves those that are within scope of authority. Assists with collection of information, data and photos for presentations and public meetings and events.
- Assists with the implementation of an Integrated Pest Management Program using a system of guidelines for best management practices. Applies herbicides in accordance with City, State and federal regulations.
- Communicates logistical needs to Supervisor.
ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
- Performs other related duties within the scope of this classification and of the classes below.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is frequently performed outdoors in developed and undeveloped areas with frequent exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Work is occasionally performed in an office setting at a desk or computer terminal. The work involves moderate risks when handling and applying herbicides and working with mechanical tools and equipment. Frequent exposure to difficult terrain, loud noises and water. Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipment and follow established safety policies. Employees may be required to wear personal protective equipment, such as vests, helmets, gloves, chaps, boots etc. This is a field work position with continuous physical exertion requirements.
Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including:
- Frequently communicate accurate information and ideas with others;
- Hear and see sufficiently to respond quickly in a noisy, fast-paced environment while meeting mandated safety standards;
- Frequently perform repetitive tasks such as field preparation, vegetation maintenance, extended equipment operation such as a backpack blower and manipulate sampling equipment and operate small hand tools;
- Move throughout City facilities and worksite locations;
- Frequently operate a computer and other office machinery such as a keyboard, mouse, phone and fax machine;
- Frequently operate mechanical and electrical equipment of varying lengths and width;
- Frequently walk up to five miles through water and uneven terrain, loose soil and sloped surfaces;
- Stand, stoop, dig, bend, reach, kneel, squat and ascend and descent equipment.
- Occasionally work from heights;
- Frequently lift and move heavy objects up to 50 lbs. and occasionally transport objects up to 100 lbs.
Job Type: Full Time
Location: City of Bellingham, Washington
Agency: Public Works
Source : BELLINGHAM CITY OF