Field Crew Member

The King Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates to serve as a

Field Crew Member

THIS POSITION IS REPRESENTED BY COUNCIL 2 – THE WASHINGTON STATE COUNCIL OF COUNTY AND CITY EMPLOYEES

We do not expect any single candidate to possess all the desired qualifications or have extensive experience with all the listed requirements. Training will be provided for new projects and activities. If you are ready for a physically demanding, but rewarding field role, we encourage you to apply.

Job Title:                    Field Crew Member

Job Classification:    Resource Assistant 3 (Term-Limited)

Salary Range:            Grade 22, Step 1 starting at $54,822.95

Job Summary:

This is an early career field crew position at King Conservation District (KCD), a county wide, natural resource management special purpose district. This position regularly involves labor-intensive duties that require strong personal drive, adaptability, and a commitment to teamwork. This position will work alongside other crew members and a crew lead to install and maintain KCD’s riparian habitat enhancement projects associated with KCD Riparian Programs. The field crew will also support KCD’s annual Native Plant Sale and other projects as needed. This position works in the field 90-95% of the time and must report to the KCD office at the start of each workday. This position will report to the Manager of Riparian Programs, with day-to-day oversight by the Field Crew Lead. This position is term-limited to 2 years from hire.

Job Responsibilities:

The following list of duties is intended as an illustration of the various types of work performed.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the responsibilities of the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Project Implementation (85%)

• Carry out labor-intensive activities related to riparian habitat project installation and maintenance. Activities include controlling invasive plant species by manual, mechanical, and chemical means; installing native plants and mulch; and implementing erosion control and other conservation practices where needed.
• Use and maintain a variety of manual tools, including shovels, hoes, rakes, and pruning shears.
• Operate and maintain power tools and equipment, including brush-cutters, chainsaws, and augers.
• Operate and maintain chemical application equipment, including hand sprayers, backpack sprayers, and chemical injectors.
• Operate light and heavy-duty trucks, UTVs, heavy equipment, and trailers.
• Work collaboratively to meet tight project deadlines.
• Assist Field Crew Lead with daily documentation of project tasks and status reports to project coordinators.
• Communicate about project activities and natural resource best management practices with private landowners and members of the public while on project sites.
• Occasionally help project coordinators lead volunteer events at KCD riparian projects.
• Perform related duties and support other KCD projects as needed.

Native Plant Sale and Other Program Support (10%)

• Assist with the preparation and packing of KCD Native Plant Sale orders and distribution. Help with event set-up and clean-up.
• Provide occasional, short-term support to KCD’s Native Plant Cooperative and other KCD programs. Native Plant Cooperative activities include potting and weed barrier fabric installation.

Other Duties (5%)

• Perform office-based administrative tasks in support of KCD Riparian Programs as needed. Activities include data entry, uploading project photos, and contributing to engagement and outreach materials.
• Less than 5% of the role may be combined with other duties as required by the District.

Required Skills and Experience:

• 1-2 years of experience working on a field crew or serving in an independent field-based role.
• Experience using and maintaining hand tools.
• Experience reviewing and following project plans and specifications.
• Experience regularly communicating with customers or members of the public.
• Strong communication skills required for interaction with coworkers, community members, and landowners/clients.
• Adept with all office equipment, including computers and printer/scanner/copiers, and able to effectively and responsibly use network servers, the Internet, and e-mail as a government employee.
• Ability to work a full-time schedule with occasional overtime or comp time accrual when necessary and with prior approval.
• Ability to obtain a valid Washington State Driver License within 3 months of hire, if not currently held.
• Ability to obtain a WSDA Pesticide Applicators License with an aquatic endorsement within 6 months of hire, if not currently held.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Experience mixing herbicides, making herbicide applications, and completing herbicide application records.
• Experience operating brush-cutters and chainsaws.
• Experience driving large vehicles and towing trailers.
• Experience implementing riparian and/or terrestrial habitat enhancement projects.
• Experience with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Education and/or Training:

• 1-2 years of job-related professional experience and/or 1-2 years of related educational experience obtained through a green-jobs training program or pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree or Associate in Science/Applied Science Transfer degree.
• Foundational knowledge of stream restoration techniques, Pacific Northwest native plant species, Pacific Northwest invasive plant species, and best management practices for invasive plant species control.

Physical Requirements:

• Most days will be spent in the field for up to 10 hours per day.
• Ability to work in inclement weather conditions and on uneven, rough, and steep terrain.
• Ability to regularly drive throughout King County and occasionally the state using a district vehicle.
• A Washington State Driver’s license is required when driving district vehicles.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and move materials and objects up to 50 pounds.

Full-Time, Term-Limited, Non-Exempt Position:

This position will start at the hiring Grade 22, Step 1 starting at $54,822.95. Performance will be evaluated upon completion of a 6-month probationary period.

Benefits:

The District offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid vacation and sick leave, and holidays, medical and dental, a nominal life insurance policy with the option to increase coverage at employee’s expense, support for trainings, and participation in the State of Washington Retirement System (PERS).

Work Schedule:

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Regularly a Monday through Thursday 4/10 work schedule with occasional planned schedule shifts to accommodate Friday or Saturday events or trainings.

Office Location:

800 SW 39th Street, Suite 150, Renton, WA 98057

King Conservation District is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class

About Us: King Conservation District (KCD) is a natural resources assistance agency authorized by Washington State and guided by the Washington State Conservation Commission. Our mission is to promote the sustainable use of natural resources through responsible stewardship. A five-member Board of Supervisors is responsible for overseeing all KCD programs and activities. KCD promotes conservation through demonstration projects, educational events, providing technical assistance and, in some cases, providing or pointing the way to funds which may be available for projects. KCD has no regulatory or enforcement authority and only works with those who choose to work with KCD.KCD’s service area includes 34 cities and all of unincorporated King County with the exclusion of City of Enumclaw, City of Federal Way, City of Milton, City of Pacific and City of Skykomish. To learn more, visit KCD’s website at www.kingcd.org