DESCRIPTION: This position assists the Noxious Weed and Pest Management Coordinator with the management of List A noxious weed species (designated for statewide eradication) and high priority populations of List B species, primarily within Mesa County, but with some cooperative projects near the county borders.

Essential Duties

Work will require extensive hiking in wildland urban interface, high desert, and riparian habitats. Approximately 10 days involve treating noxious weeds in the Colorado River corridor, requiring the use of rafts and inflatable kayaks in Class 1-2 water, frequently shoring and exiting boats with equipment. Technicians also spend significant time scouting, treating, and mapping noxious weeds using county vehicles. Some noxious weed populations require gaining property owner consent to access. Technicians should be comfortable speaking with the public regarding noxious weeds management.

Work focuses on such species as purple loosestrife, giant reed grass, myrtle spurge, Chinese clematis, yellow toadflax, various thistles and knapweeds, and yellow starthistle. Eradication efforts will require primarily chemical and mechanical control techniques. Handling and applying herbicides with hand-held or backpack sprayers or UTV mounted sprayers will be a regular field duty, as well as utilizing a shovel to uproot individual or small populations of weeds. Some work with biological control agent collection and redistribution may also be performed periodically throughout the summer. Employees must be able to drive and navigate roads and properties to find site locations; measure, mix, and apply herbicides using proper methods according to regulations; keep accurate, up-to-date paper and electronic records of work, and provide accurate, relevant information regarding noxious weed management to private landowners.

This position will have the opportunity to work with a wide array of local, state, and federal weed management professionals to assist them with work on public and private lands. Technician training for herbicide application and weed identification will be provided upon hire.

Timeline of Work Generally 40 hours per week; four, 10 hour days per week with most days working 7:00 a.m- 5:30. Daily hours will vary throughout the season to account for river trips, out-of-town site work and inclement weather events, however; weekly totals will not exceed 40 hours.

Minimum Requirements Candidate skills/knowledge/abilities Required: - Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License and acceptable driving record with the ability to independently travel. - Awareness and execution of safe working practices, always - Physical ability to walk for up to several miles outdoors in variable terrain and weather conditions, while carrying and operating a backpack sprayer - Basic plant/weed identification skills - Work well with others, and work well independently - Read and follow directions, both orally and in writing - Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing - Proficient in basic arithmetic and basic algebraic calculations - Read and navigate using a paper map or electronic mapping device - PC experience, including Microsoft Office and Excel software - Able to carry on professional education-based conversations with the public

Recommended: - Experience with, or good understanding of digital and electronic mapping software (ESRI, Arc GIS) - Relevant education/coursework from an accredited college or university. - Prior field experience working in natural resource settings. - Experience with herbicide application - River rafting experience/skills

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: - This position requires standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 50 pounds - Working in outdoor field work. - The employee is occasionally exposed to dirt, smoke, fumes, extreme heat and cold, outside atmospheric condi ions, traffic noise, noxious odors, mists, gases, poor ventilation and dust for periods of time that can affect the respiratory system eyes, or the skin

In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the following items can be used as a determining factor in the starting and ongoing wage of an employee working in this position: A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment. A merit system that rewards employees for exceptional job performance. Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to the work in question. This position is eligible for the following Mesa County benefits; Leave accrual per the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA)