NATURAL RESOURCES EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN

Posting number: 39246

Department: Parks and Recreation

Division: Greenspace

Job classification: NATURAL RESOURCES EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN

Posting type: Open

Categories: Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources

Summary

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to building a sustainable community and enhance the quality of urban life by providing safe well-maintained parks and offering affordable programming for our community. To achieve this mission, HPARD is seeking aApplications Accepted from:  All Persons Interested

Division: Greenspace Operations
Workdays & Hours: M-F, 6:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.*             
Location: 1801 Memorial Dr. Houston, Texas 77007*
*Subject to change
 
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to building a sustainable community and enhance the quality of urban life by providing safe well-maintained parks and offering affordable programming for our community. To achieve this mission, HPARD is seeking a Natural Resources Equipment Technician to join its Greenspace Operations team.  

The potential candidate will play a key role in the following duties:

• Performs a variety of manual tasks and activities on a daily basis, i.e., herbicide application, auguring, mowing, planting, weeding.
• Install tree and prairie plantings, and assist in plant propagation.
• Assist in mechanical and chemical invasive species removal.
• Operating and maintaining various pieces of equipment such as brush cutters, weed eaters, riding mowing units, lawnmowers, edger, tractor, skid steer and chainsaw to maintain habitat restoration areas.
• Operates equipment within sensitive natural areas, such as prairies and wetlands, with minimal disturbance.
• Maintains, cleans and services equipment, vehicles, tools, and facilities. Inspects vehicles for required supplies, materials, and equipment.
• Observes and follows safety procedures and precautions at work site.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  
There are routine exposures to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture and air pollution. This is an outside job requiring work in natural areas with a range of habitats. The position may involve periodic exposure to chemical substances and physical trauma of a minor nature such as cuts, bruises, and minor burns. 

PHYSICAL SKILL:  
Requires the ability to make complex coordinated and sequenced motor movements in response to quickly changing external stimuli.

Examples of duties

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 
Requires an Associate’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Science, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Six (6) months of experience using equipment to improve or maintain parks, landscapes, or habitats.

SUBSTITUTION: Experience using heavy equipment to improve or maintain parks, landscapes, habitats, or related field may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-to-year basis.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
May be required to obtain a valid Class A or B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and comply with the City of Houston's policy on driving based on the type of equipment the individual is assigned to operate. Must have a valid Texas driver's license and comply with the City of Houston's policy on driving.

Qualifications

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6. **

Supplemental information

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED
The selection process will involve application review and/or interview.
 
SAFETY IMPACT POSITION   Yes 
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION
Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade 13

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only