Natural Technician-Hourly

The Natural Technician-Hourly position at Salt Lake City Corporation involves stewardship and maintenance of urban natural areas, including trails and parks. Responsibilities include ecological restoration, invasive species management, irrigation repairs, and public engagement. Technicians will collaborate with specialists on various tasks, ensuring habitat restoration and maintenance of natural surfaces. Candidates should have knowledge in plant identification and natural resource management, along with practical outdoor work experience.
Position Title: Natural Technician-Hourly Job Description: 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. DUTIES: 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 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 DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 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 WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is primarily outdoors under a variety of weather and environmental conditions and may involve hiking to reach the job site. Work locations include Salt Lake City’s Foothills Natural Area, the Jordan River Parkway, properties along City Creek, Red Butte Creek, Emigration Creek, Parleys Creek, and various city parks and greenways. Exposure to hazardous wildlife and off-leash dogs Work on city properties may involve working around the unhoused population Moderately heavy physical activity. Required to push, pull, carry and lift medium to heavy weights. Difficult working positions; may have to stand, walk, or sit in uncomfortable positions for extended periods and squat or crawl. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. POSITION TYPE Part-Time POSITION SALARY RANGE $ 18.85/hr based on Experience DEPARTMENT Public Lands Full Time/Part Time: Part time Scheduled Hours: 20 Salt Lake City is a place where your skills and dedication directly contribute to the community. With a team serving over 200,000 residents, we take pride in delivering meaningful work—from maintaining infrastructure to shaping public programs—with integrity and professionalism. We value experience, accountability, and results. Our organization recognizes talent and rewards contribution, offering employees opportunities to grow, lead, and make a lasting difference. If you're driven by public service and want to help shape the future of our city, we’d love to work with you. Salt Lake City offers a competitive and well-rounded benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and professional growth. To learn more, visit our Benefits & Wellness site. Health & Wellness 95% City-paid medical insurance Dental, vision, life insurance HSA (with $1,000–$2,000 City contribution) Wellness clinic for employees & families Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Financial Perks Tuition reimbursement (up to $4,000/year) Retirement contributions (pension and/or 401(k)) Discounted pet insurance, legal services, and more Thinking about applying or weighing another offer? Use our Total Compensation Calculator to see the true value of your job offer—including salary, benefits, retirement, and more. We know time away from work is essential for rest, personal needs, and family life. Salt Lake City offers generous paid leave to help you recharge and stay balanced. To learn more, visit our Benefits & Wellness site. 12 vacation days to start 12 paid holidays + 1 personal holiday Up to 80 hours personal leave annually 6 - 12 weeks of paid parental leave Bonus leave credit for eligible rehires & public sector transfers Our Recruitment Team is ready to assist you throughout the entire hiring process—from questions about job openings to application support. Reach the Recruitment Team at 801-535-6699 Or email: careers@slc.gov The City is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Salt Lake City will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 801-535-7900. Salt Lake City is proud to be a partner of the Utah Patriot Program, providing employment opportunities for Veterans, Military and spouses. We are also a proud National Service Partner.