Vegetation Management Technician

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT TECHNICIAN
WPB Field Station
4144BR

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Controls aquatic and terrestrial vegetation to support the District’s water management and natural resource protection missions using a variety of control techniques. These techniques include the proper mixing, calculating and applying of a variety of approved herbicides according to product label directions and in accordance with the rules and regulations as set forth by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), State and County regulations and policies governing the application of herbicides.

Vegetation management activities will also include operation of mechanical harvesting equipment. Operates powered and manual equipment relative to vegetation management such as airboats, all-terrain vehicles, midsize tractors, outboard motorboats, aquatic vegetation harvesters (e.g., Truxor® amphibious machine, Conver® harvester, tow boats) chemical spray trucks, backpack sprayers including transporting, loading, and offloading of equipment.  Fills sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas. Mixes herbicides and/or algaecides for application to vegetation or algae. Connects hoses and nozzles selected according to terrain, distribution pattern requirements, types of infestations, and velocities. Starts motors and engages machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment. Lifts, pushes, and swings nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas.  Plans and calculates appropriate herbicide rates and treatment area/volume for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial application scenarios.

Maintains awareness of weather conditions, environmentally sensitive areas, drift potential, obstructions, and herbicide label restrictions when planning and implementing control activities.  Recognizes environmental hazards before applying herbicides.  Operates, maintains, and calibrates spray and safety equipment as required to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools.  Inspects and monitors District owned rights of ways, canals, levees, easements and other properties for undesirable vegetation growth and invasive/nuisance plant species, including species identified as priorities for rapid response control.  Prepares and maintains vegetation management reports and daily logs using District data collection software including, but not limited to treatment schedules and mapping of planned control activities.

Posts warning signs in treated areas to inform the public of any water use or re-entry restrictions.  Uses a map and/or GPS to identify location and record, reference or retrieve vegetation management data.  When weather conditions do not permit spraying of herbicides, must perform all other duties as assigned.  Maintains plant identification skills for common invasive/nuisance vegetation and ability to identify priority species in field settings. Ensures adherence to safe work practices and procedures.  Incumbent must have a background and practical work experience in vegetation management, good verbal and written communication skills, ability to plan and manage workloads, enthusiasm and temperament for dealing with harsh wetland field conditions, and willingness and commitment to actively contribute to a collaborative teamwork effort.  Other Duties as Assigned

This position is subject to random mandatory drug/alcohol testing.
Work hours are Monday – Thursday from 6:30 am – 5:00 pm.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Typically has High School Diploma or GED (Required) and 2+ years’ experience in the mixing and application of aquatic and terrestrial herbicides, plant identification and alternate methods of aquatic vegetation management practices. (Required).

The hiring range for this position is $51,854.40 to $63,086.40 (based on education and years of relevant work experience).  Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Maintain a valid Restricted Pesticide Public Applicator License with Aquatic & Right-of-Way category (Recertification is required every 4 years). If Incumbent does not currently possess a valid pesticide applicator license, the District will allow a period of 3 months from date of hire to obtain the license. The District is willing to pay cost of pesticide applicator training & licensing. (Required).
• Ability to obtain & maintain certification in Forklift Operations. (Recertification every 2 years). (Required).
• Ability to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR/AED. (Recertification every 2 years). (Required).
• Ability to obtain & maintain certification in airboat operation. (Recertification will be per District safety program). (Required).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Due to the District’s response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times, be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned
• emergency response role.
• Primarily field work with regular exposure to unpredictable weather conditions. Position works outside on the water and levees most of the year.
• Overtime will be required based on weather and/or environmental conditions.
• Daily vegetation management operations are usually performed independently.
• Regularly sets up, adjusts, controls, tests, and operates equipment to complete assignments. This position normally involves daily travel from the employee’s assigned station to work sites located within the District’s jurisdiction. Some assignments require travel to remote locations and may require travel throughout the state of Florida. At times, overnight travel may be required.
• Extensive Exertion plus travel: Regularly sets up, adjusts, controls, tests and operates equipment to complete assignments. Work environment may be hot and humid with no facilities. Moves or otherwise transports equipment weighing up to 50 pounds or more.
• Agility
• Balancing
• Basic water skills and ability to swim
• Climbing
• Exposure to gases and/or fumes (paint, welding, oil, grease, adhesive, chemical, herbicide, motor solvent, carbon monoxide, dust)
• Exposure to stinging/biting insects, snakes, alligators
• Eye-hand-foot coordination
• Full body and segmental vibration (airboats/spray guns)
• Hearing
• Kneeling
• Noise exposure (airboat/engines/pumps/spray guns)
• Prolonged standing
• Pulling
• Pushing
• Recognize color differences
• Specialized protective clothing
• Speech clarity
• Stability
• Steady footing
• Vision (near vision-computer screen; far vision-driving/operating equipment)
• Working in, on, or near water

Veterans’ Preference
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  All documentation is due by the close of the job posting.

Organization

OM5405423