Environmental Technician

The Environmental Technician position at Cook County involves coordinating invasive species management, pesticide application, grant writing, and community outreach. The role requires conducting surveys, enforcing noxious weed laws, and collaborating with contractors and landowners. The job is part-time (30 hours/week) for 9 months with a starting pay of $29.28/hour. Benefits are included during the work period. The job is located in Grand Marais, MN and is not remote.
Description

Highway Department
Environmental Technician
Level: 160

What You Will Earn:

The anticipated starting hourly rate for this position is $29.28 (Step 1) - $31.67 (Step 3)/hour depending on experience. With a full future earning potential of $29.28 (Step 1) - $40.08 (Step 9)/hour ($31,622.40 - $43,286.40 annually). This position is 30 hours per week for a 9-month work period. This position is eligible for the full-time county BENEFITS PACKAGE during the 9-month work period.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Ag Inspector, coordinate and conduct invasive tracking, pesticide application, community invasive species management program, grant writing, waste and biochar program management, outreach and event planning and event marketing. This position will work to represent the County and serve as a liaison between community organizations and residents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this classification. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Invasive Species Management
• Performs timely, invasive weed control efforts coordinated among government agencies, and other entities for effective noxious weed control/eradication.
• Inputs data from invasive plant surveys.
• Enforces noxious weed law on all public and private lands in the County.
• Administers pesticide applications.
• Works and coordinates with Native Planting Contractors, selects seeding mixes for construction sites.
• Develops new and innovative ways to dispose of invasive species, increasing effectiveness of treatments and production of community services from invasive species.
• Works with landowners on invasive species management.
• Use appropriate weed control methods, including safe use of herbicides and/or manual methods, to manage invasive plant infestations.
• Conduct field inventories of invasive plant species, including completing an inventory of invasive plants in gravel pits utilizing EDD maps in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, gravel pits, county road right of ways, trail systems, or both private and public property.
• Perform record-keeping duties for herbicide use.
• Environmental Duties and Responsibilities
• Maintain equipment such as backpack sprayers, treatment equipment, and hand tools.
• Work with contractors treating invasive plants on local roadways.
• Collaborate with all CCIT partners to develop further cooperation and contributions, to discuss weed partnership needs, and to seek technical assistance and guidance.
• Surveys all County ROWs and gravel pits.
• Education and Outreach
• Prepares and develops outreach material and programming.
• Implement outreach programming in schools and the community.
• Develop and distribute educational outreach materials on invasive plant species.
• Develop and conduct educational workshops/training on invasive species prevention, identification, and treatment methods, including specific training on herbicide use and treatment equipment, for a variety of audiences including the public and private landowners.
• Communicates with private landowners and other stakeholders with invasive species issues.
• Administers grant writing and management for funding of invasive species management efforts.
• Creates, develops and administers school and public outreach events and social media creation.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience
• Associate's degree in natural resources, environmental studies or related field.
• At least 1 year of previous experience in ecology, conservation biology, land-use planning, natural resource management, or related discipline.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Commercial pesticide applicator license or the ability to obtain in a year.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Understanding of basic plant identification and biology.
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word for example).
• Familiarity with MDA Noxious Weeds.
• Familiarity with native plant species to Cook County.
• Familiarity with relevant rules and regulations regarding invasive species.
• Skilled in project and data management.
• Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication.
• Ability to manage time and multitask.
• Ability to utilize basic principles of integrated pest management; and ensure the safe, proper and effective use of herbicides or pesticides by self or others to reduce or eliminate noxious weed infestations.
• Ability to work in an independent and proactive manner.
• Excellent communication skills to work with public, co-workers and superiors in a respectful manner.

INTERNAL/EXTERNALRELATIONSHIPS:
• General public
• Department staff
• County staff, such as Land Services, Soil and Water Conservation District
• City, county and state agencies, such as Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, US Forest Service, Cook County Invasive Team
• Tribal government

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
• Work is performed mainly outside involving exposure to all weather conditions.
• Because incumbents primarily operate equipment at on county right of ways and in gravel pit sites, they are exposed to construction hazards, such as: traffic, dust, dirt, and noise.
• During the management of invasive species incumbents are subject to potentially hazardous substances such as herbicides and other chemical and substances that may be used for eradication/control purposes.
• Ability to operate pickup truck, backpack sprayer, weed whip and clippers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Hear and speak effectively to communicate by phone/email or in person to coordinate work efforts as well as with others to give and receive instructions, provide oral reports of conditions and discuss other work-related matters.
• Able to handle the physical requirements of invasive spray treatments.
• Requires stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, grasping, feeling, and repetitive motions.
• Strength to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds, such as invasive treatment equipment.

"This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer"

Cook County MNwill not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial status, veteran status, or status about public assistance. Wetake affirmative steps to ensure that all our county's employment practices are free of discrimination.