Natural Resource Technician at The City of Fort Worth

Pay Range: $20.44 - $25.55/hr.

Job Posting Closing on: Friday, December 22, 2023

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities, and much more.

Workdays & Hours: This is a Full-Time position working 40 hours per week, some weekends and evenings will be required

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.

A Natural Resource Technician is available with the Park & Recreation Department at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. The Park & Recreation Department maintains approximately 300 parks and public spaces citywide as well as provides recreational activities and educational programming that makes Fort Worth a great place to live, work and play.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma/GED 
• Two (2) years responsible experience in facilities maintenance, grounds maintenance, trails and trails feature construction, or open space areas; or, technical work in forestry, biology, horticulture, conservation or natural resource program.
• Valid Class C driver’s license
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a Pesticide Applicator’s License within six (6) months of hire and maintain license during length of employment.
• Must be able to secure and maintain a valid First Aid and CPR certification within six (6) months of hire and maintain certification during length of employment.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in a natural or physical science, including wildlife management, biology, geology, botany, range management, environmental science, forestry, or a related field.
• General maintenance, park maintenance, and/or metal fabrication experience.
• Ability to identify native flora and fauna applicable to the Cross Timbers and Prairies Ecoregion.
• Experience in performing tasks pertinent to maintaining and constructing trails and facilities; land management and restoration including brush clearing, tree felling, and herbicide application and prescribed burning.
• Resume and professional references is preferred to be included but will not take the place of the online application.

The Natural Resource Technician job responsibilities include:

• The duties of this position include, but are not limited to, conducting habitat management activities, large animal husbandry, wildlife monitoring and control, public outreach, maintaining and repairing facilities, buildings, equipment, vehicles, & grounds.
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.
• Operate various types of equipment to include mowers, trimmers, power tools, tractors, skid steer, UTV’s, welders, and other equipment as needed. Proper techniques and uses of a variety of hand and power tools and machinery.
• Specific habitat management activities will include the use of specialized equipment for clearing and chopping dense vegetation, prescribed burning, ground cover restoration, and chemical or mechanical control of invasive plants.
• Responsible for trail maintenance duties such as hiking long distances using trimmers, loppers, and saws while also working in remote places where tools and materials must be hauled in.
• Assist with public outreach and special events, providing quality customer service in a positive, courteous and professional manner. Heavy public contact will be required. 
• Ability to work within a team as well as independently with little to no supervision.

Working Conditions

Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, repetitive motions, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling and lifting; depending on assignment.  Incumbents may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, intense noises, gases, vibrations, and workspace restrictions. 

Physical Demand

Heavy Work – Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.