Watershed Aides
Open to all interested persons
Please review ALL information in this job announcement for deadlines, information and changes.
A District application and supplemental questionnaire response are required for consideration. These positions are “open until filled”. Therefore, it is recommended that interested persons apply as soon as possible as the recruitment may be closed at any time.
In addition to consideration for the current needs for Watershed Aides, applications for Watershed Aides will be retained for consideration for future Watershed Aide opportunities for which the applicant is qualified.
Filing Deadline: Open Until Filled
The recruitment may be closed at any time
Position Description
The District has a need for Watershed Aides, to serve in one of five distinct areas. These positions are all within the Watershed Management programs of the District’s Facilities & Watershed Management Division, and are in the five areas of:
- Vegetation Management,
- Volunteer Management/Environmental Education & Community Engagement,
- Watershed Maintenance,
- Watershed Protection/Ranger Aide, or
- Fisheries Management.
These positions are all for full-time (40 hours per week), temporary Watershed Aides for terms of up to six (6) months in duration (except for Fisheries Management, which has a shorter term). The days and hours worked also vary by position and need.
The current needs are:
Two (2) Watershed Aides in the combined areas of Vegetation Management and Volunteer Management/Environmental Education & Community Engagement. The assignment is for approximately six (6) months. The work shift is Tuesday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and may include weekends, holidays and shift changes. 5/16/18 NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
Two (2) Watershed Aides in the area of Watershed Maintenance. The assignment is for approximately six (6) months. May cover AOWP assignment and schedule. The work shift is Monday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. dependent upon assignment.
One (1) Watershed Aide in the area of Watershed Protection/Ranger Aide. This assignment is for approximately six (6) months. The work shift includes both Saturdays and Sundays, with two weekday days off and hours worked to be determined, and may include holidays and shift changes. 5/16/18 NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
Three (3) Watershed Aides in the area of Fisheries Management. This assignment is for eight (8) weeks starting in August. The work shift is 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The anticipated start dates for these positions are:
Vegetation Management and Volunteer Management/Environmental Education & Community Engagement - June 2018; Apply immediately for consideration. 5/16/18 NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
Watershed Maintenance – June 2018. Apply immediately for consideration.
Watershed Protection/Ranger Aide –July 2018. Apply immediately for consideration. 5/16/18 NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
Fisheries Management – August 2018. Apply immediately for consideration.
Distinguishing Characteristics
These are unrepresented (i.e., non-union), seasonal positions. Incumbents are expected to work a flexible schedule, which may include weekends and holidays. Job duties may include physical labor, maintenance, technical, scientific, educational and clerical assignments. Watershed Aides are assigned to Vegetation Management, Volunteer Management/Environmental Education & Community Engagement, Watershed Maintenance, Watershed Protection/Ranger Aide, or Fisheries Management.
Examples of Duties
Tasks within the area of assignment may include, but are not limited to, the duties listed below. In addition to the listed duties, each employee assigned to this classification may perform additional duties pertinent to the area of assignment.
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
- Assists regular staff with the maintenance and restoration of watershed lands;
- removes exotic plant species using hand and power tools, and plants native vegetation;
- maps watershed natural resources using a global positioning system or Calflora’s Observer Pro system;
- enters data into watershed geographic information system or Calflora Weed Manager system;
- conducts natural resource field surveys including habitat assessments, rare plant surveys, and permanent vegetation plots;
- performs administrative tasks including data entry and report production;
- directs interns and volunteers in execution of scientific protocols and habitat restoration activities; and
- performs other duties as assigned.
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Assists regular staff with the maintenance and restoration of watershed lands;
- removes exotic plant species and plants native vegetation;
- organizes and co-leads volunteer habitat restoration, biological monitoring, trail maintenance and community science events, including production and distribution of outreach and educational material;
- conducts field surveys including vegetation, pollinator, and wildlife monitoring;
- manages photos and data flow related to the Marin Wildlife Picture Index Project;
- serves as liaison to partner schools, environmental and community service organizations, interns and crews;
- schedules events, gives classroom presentations, and assists instructors in processing and analyzing student-collected data;
- maintains radio communications with field staff;
- follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment;
- drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;
- performs administrative tasks including maintenance of volunteer database, and production of volunteer outreach materials including web postings, mailings and posters; and
- performs other duties as assigned.
WATERSHED MAINTENANCE
- Assists regular staff with the maintenance and restoration of watershed lands;
- works with Marin County Adult Offender Work Program (AOWP) participants on Saturdays
- constructs or maintains fuel breaks;
- removes exotic plant species and plants native vegetation;
- constructs fish habitat improvement;
- installs erosion control structures;
- may work on a crew preparing for and conducting prescribed burns;
- supports heavy equipment operation and maintenance used in vegetation management;
- maintains radio communications with field staff;
- follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment;
- drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;
- operates construction equipment and a variety of hand and power tools in the maintenance of watershed lands and facilities; and
- performs other duties as assigned.
WATERSHED PROTECTION/RANGER AIDE
- Collects visitor day-use fees and issues the proper watershed pass;
- maintains security of radio, cash, materials, and supplies;
- maintains radio communications with field staff and assists watershed personnel as requested;
- performs administrative tasks including completing daily cash summaries, verifying and securing
receipts, and recording annual pass sales;
- inspects park facilities for cleanliness and empties trash containers, refills dispensers and cleans restroom facilities as needed;
- assists with patrol of areas to aid visitors and prevent vandalism and misuse;
- assists in interpretation of laws, ordinances, rules and regulations;
- may enforce parking regulations;
- may administer first aid as directed or consistent with level of training;
- maintains signs, roads, trails and recreation areas including picking up trash;
- follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment;
- drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;
- operates construction equipment and a variety of hand and power tools in the maintenance of watershed lands and facilities; and
- educates and assists the public by answering questions regarding the watershed.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
- Assists regular staff with conservation activities for endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout, and other aquatic species;
- perform snorkeling and/or electrofishing surveys for juvenile salmonids
- may perform spawner surveys for adult salmon;
- enters and analyzes survey data;
- may assist regular staff with vegetation management activities on the Mt.Tamalpais watershed lands;
- may assist with installation of erosion control structures, riparian revegetation, and stream habitat enhancement;
- performs survey work on both public and private lands in Marin County;
- writes technical reports;
- follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment;
- drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;
- operates construction equipment and a variety of hand and power tools in the maintenance of watershed lands and facilities;
- educates and assists the public by answering questions regarding the watershed;
- conducts miscellaneous tasks and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
NOTE: The following knowledge and abilities reflect the qualifications for the various positions and is dependent upon the particular assignment. The applicant is NOT expected to have all of the knowledge and/or abilities listed below.
Knowledge of:
- Basic methods and procedures used in natural resources maintenance and restoration;
- basic use of hand and power tools related to the work;
- common native and non-native plants;
- basic safety procedures related to the work;
- customer service policies and techniques for dealing with the public;
- volunteer management, environmental education and group leadership;
- basic computer applications related to the work (Word and Excel);
- principles, practices and methods of natural resource management;
- principles, practices and methods of fishery and wildlife management, and
- techniques for conducting scientific study and biological investigations of fish and wildlife resources.
Ability to:
- Perform routine landscape, parks and open space operations and maintenance work;
- direct and coordinate volunteers conducting habitat restoration activities;
- use and maintain hand and power tools used in park facility, resource and grounds maintenance;
- make field observations and accurately record and maintain scientific data;
- learn watershed landmarks, facilities and trail system and MMWD Land Use Regulations;
- utilize safety procedures and equipment, recognizing and reporting potential safety hazards;
- follow oral and written directions;
- act appropriately in emergency situations;
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work;
- work varying shifts including weekends and holidays;
- learn, interpret and apply pertinent subject matter, procedures, precedents and policies;
- use good judgment in choosing among available alternatives, recognizing scope of authority, seeking assistance, and making referrals;
- use a personal computer with related software applications;
- organize own work, set priorities and meet deadlines;
- effectively communicate verbally and in writing, with the public, in person, and over the telephone;
- drive a vehicle safely on unimproved road surfaces;
- swim, depending upon job assignment, and
- make field observations and accurately record and maintain scientific data.
- maintains radio communications with field staff;
- follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment;
- drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;
Training and Experience
Any combination of training and experience that would be likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be:
- Successful completion of the 12th grade or equivalent.
The following experience and abilities are desirable, dependent upon the assignment:
- Some direct experience or college level education in environmental education, park operations and maintenance, environmental resources, biology, natural resources management or similar field;
- experience dealing with the public, and working with volunteers and/or youth groups;
- proficiency using Microsoft Word and Excel;
- working knowledge of GPS and GIS (ESRI ArcMap 9.x or higher);
- familiarity with plant species of the Bay Area, and field survey methods for vegetation (Vegetation Management assignment);
- care and maintenance of power and hand tools (Maintenance assignment);
- possession of a current PC 832 certificate (Watershed Protection/Ranger Aide assignment);
- experience with fish identification and electrofishing (Fisheries Management assignment).
Other Requirements
- Driving is an essential function of this position. Employees who drive on District business to carry out job-related duties must possess an appropriate California driver’s license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and meet insurability requirements of the District including review of recent driving history and maintain a satisfactory driving record;
- per California Government Code, Title 1, Division 4, Chapter 8, Section 3100 “all public employees are hereby declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law”;
- willingness to work on weekends, holidays and varying shifts, as the operation requires;
- wear appropriate attire as provided; and
- acquire safety or fire boots that meet District specifications.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions (Dependent upon the assignment)
Most assignments require mobility to work in both landscaped and open space settings, including dexterity to use a variety of office equipment and maintenance tools and equipment; strength and stamina to perform heavy physical labor and to lift materials weighing up to 50 pounds and heavier weights with proper equipment. The employee may use grounds keeping and landscaping tools such as rakes, shovel spades, brooms, pruning shears, pole loppers, chainsaws, brushcutters and wheel barrows; perform heavy manual labor for extended periods such as digging, trenching and pruning. The employee walks on uneven or un-level ground surfaces such as hills, slopes, streams, ditches or trenches, and works at heights up to ten to twelve feet climbing ladders or stairs. Depending upon assignment, the employee works in or in close proximity to lakes and creeks and must be able to swim. The position requires hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; and vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. The employee is exposed to moving vehicles and other moving equipment and machinery, excessive noise, extremes in temperature, humidity, wetness and dust, and may work with chemicals, pesticides and insecticides using normal and specialized protective equipment. The employee must be willing to work independently, off-hours and weekend schedules and outdoors in any weather condition.
