Open Space Technician – Forestry

Position Level: Non-Exempt

Job Type: Temporary (Seasonal)

Salary: $18/hr. – $21/hr. (DOE)

Start Date: May 2024

End Date: October 2024

General Purpose:

Genesee is a unique residential community located in a biologically diverse foothills ecosystem. The foothills climate zone is an ecological transition between the lower elevation plains and higher elevation mountain zones. The Open Space department is responsible for maintaining 1,200 acres for the community. Natural resource management along with wildfire mitigation are top priorities for Genesee Open Space. We are a pioneer member of the Firewise Community program. Starting and ending dates are flexible for the perspective candidate. These positions can last up to 8 months depending on management needs and funding. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date
• Ability to operate trucks, tractors, trailers & UTVs
• Ability to operate 4-wheel drive vehicles in variable weather & road conditions
• Ability or willingness to learn how to operate chainsaws including logging/forestry equipment
• Ability to perform strenuous outdoor work and hike in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to use hand tools, backpack sprayers, compass & map, inventory tools, iPad, etc.
• Ability & willingness to work long hours with occasional evening & weekend duties (work based on a 40-hour work week)
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Directionally fell trees with chainsaws and proper PPE
• Create forest treatment layout – cruising, boundary delineation, & marking
• Conduct forest and noxious weed inventories using iPad
• Mechanical and chemical noxious weed control
• Maintain and build hiking trails with hand tools
• Various GPS & GIS applications
• Identify native and non-native vegetation
• General labor – facility & equipment maintenance, minor construction projects, etc.

Working Conditions:

Material and equipment directly used: All hand and power tools, chainsaw, chemicals, tractor.  Working environment: Work outdoors in all weather conditions.  Work is hands on and involves heavy lifting and endurance. Work may involve lifting 50 (+/-) pounds, Must be able to work July 4th, 2024. 

Education & Experience:

• Training and/or experience with chainsaws preferred
• Ability to identify Colorado native & non-native plant species is preferred
• Training and/or experience with field GPS systems is preferred
• Knowledge of western U.S. restoration techniques, forest management, weed management & fire mitigation is preferred
• Experience conducting natural resource surveys, data collection, reporting, monitoring, etc is preferred
• Experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet, e-mail, GPS, Avenza and ArcGIS
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbal & written

*Preference will be given to candidates that can work the full length of the season (May – October)