Wetland/Riparian Ecologist

Description:

The Natural Resources Specialist Sr – Wetland/Riparian Ecologist is responsible for delivering conservation and management of natural resources on Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) properties and providing field and office oversight of work crews.

We are seeking an experienced practitioner or land manager with previous experience in wetland and riparian conservation and management, preferably in Rocky Mountain Front Range foothill habitat, to lead work on our water resources, with a focus on wetlands and riparian areas across JCOS parks. This position will include substantial field time inventorying water resources (e.g., delineating wetlands, collecting data on soils, vegetation, geology, water quality, hydrology, species of concern, and wildlife habitat), analyzing and interpreting data using ArcGIS Pro and relevant statistical software, communicating findings and recommendations to non-specialists, and planning and implementing restoration activities.  Successful candidates will have experience working across disciplinary boundaries, as collaboration within the Natural Resources Team (wildlife, botany, weed management, and forestry) as well as with other JCOS teams (e.g., planning) will be key to the success of this role.

About Jefferson County Open Space:    
    
Jeffco Open Space was founded as a land conservation organization in 1972 by PLAN Jeffco and The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County. These organizations proposed a unique concept to the Board of County Commissioners to preserve the scenic vistas and open lands within the county using the collection of one-half of one percent tax on sales in Jefferson County to fund the program. The voters agreed, thereby ensuring perpetual land conservation, stewardship of open space and parklands, and access for public enjoyment.    
    
Funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax, Jeffco Open Space contributes to city and park district projects, has preserved more than 56,000 acres, and manages 27 open space parks and more than 244 miles of trails in Jefferson County, Colorado. View the Jeffco Open Space Park system map.       

Mission:    
Preserve open space and parkland    
Protect park and natural resources    
Provide healthy, nature-based experiences    
    
Read more at Jeffco Open Space. https://www.jeffco.us/open-space    

 This position operates on our four-day work week (Monday-Thursday, 7:00am-5:30pm). Due to the nature of the role, remote work is not an option.    

Benefits: Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement and more.  For more information, click here for our Total Rewards summary.  

Anticipated Hire Range: $31.17-36.00 USD Hourly

Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and skills.  

Essential Duties:   

• Conduct and oversee the conservation and management related activities in one or more of the following: wildlife, noxious weed, forest, grassland/range, wetland/water, native vegetation management, habitat restoration, prescribed fire, or inventory/monitoring by planning and conducting inventory, monitoring, and mapping activities. Summarize data and prepare reports based on resource assessments and management prescriptions pertaining to county owned and potential properties.
• Operate and maintain vegetation management-related equipment, and tools including backpack sprayers, ATV/UTV-mounted sprayers, drill-seeders, and tractors. Use electronic data collection devices.
• Assist with identifying, prioritizing and managing operational aspects of tasks and projects.
• Assist with the assignments and directions for volunteers, Natural Resources Technicians and Specialists. Provide information and feedback to Team Leads for coaching, disciplinary or other actions for Technicians and Specialists. Participate in the hiring process.
• Manage time accounting records and provide reports to superiors.
• Maintain herbicide application, natural resource observation and other records and submit to appropriate state and federal oversight agencies.
• Evaluate and maintain equipment and supplies.
• Assist with monitoring budget and managing work of contractors and collaborators.
• Assist with preparation and management of grants and contracts in collaboration with other JCOS staff and work units.
• Collaborates with other JCOS staff for volunteer projects.
• Assists with development of public information signs and website updates for forest, prescribed fire, weed, wildlife management, and other resource management activities. Assist other JCOS teams with natural resource outreach information. Participate in advisory committee, public meetings, and various stakeholder groups to provide information. Interact with park neighbors and on-site park visitors concerning forest management, weed management, wildlife management, restoration, and/or prescribed fire activities.
• Assist with leading and implementing intra-agency collaboration and planning of short, mid, and long-term natural resource conservation and management goals and projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:   

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in wetland ecology, riparian ecology, hydrology, water resources, natural resource management or related field and;
• 3 years of experience collecting, interpreting, and describing environmental data, such as: soils, vegetation, geology, hydrology, species of concern, and wildlife habitat.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.     

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Must have or obtain in 1 year, a Colorado Department of Agriculture Qualified Supervisor license in Aquatic Pest Control.
• Advanced degree in wetland ecology, riparian ecology, watershed science, hydrology, or water resources.
• Certified Wetland Ecologist
• Strong proficiency with ArcGIS, including ArcGIS Pro, using GIS data in an enterprise data management system, ArcGIS Online, Survey123, and Field Maps). Knowledge of and experience with Esri’s Arc Hydro tools desired.
• 5+ years of wetland/riparian conservation management activities with experience in Rocky Mountain Front Range Foothills
• Familiarity with water use in Colorado
• Familiarity with plants and wildlife of Colorado’s wetland and riparian ecosystems
• Experience with water quality monitoring
• Familiarity with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
• Experience performing wetland delineation
• Experience with planning and implementing restoration activities in wetland and riparian areas
• Experience identifying and applying for relevant grants and administering grants once awarded
• Familiarity with Colorado water rights administration and water law
• Familiarity with Colorado’s Climate Action Plan [as it relates to watershed-based management?]
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills; ability to handle complex tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work both independently with guidance and effectively in a team

Additional Job Information:   

• Needs to be able to work across discipline boundaries of Wildlife, Botany, Weed Management, Water, and Forestry.  
• Must be able to safely navigate mountain roads using trucks and potentially UTVs, and hike long distances over rough terrain using GPS or other navigation tools carrying personal supplies and project gear.    
• Must be available to work flexible hours including early mornings, late nights, and weekends.    
• Must have a valid driver’s license; if you are from out of state, you must have a valid Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of hire date, and you must not have any major violations or DUI, DWI, DWAI convictions.    
• Minimum of three years of work-related experience in inventory/monitoring, botany, natural resource management, or related field 
• Offer of employment contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references.  
• Please note that supplemental questions requiring a written response will serve as a writing sample.  
• Current Jefferson County employees must apply through their employee profile in Workday.