Class Code: 05301

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –

HUMAN RESOURCES ENTERPRISE

NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICIAN 1

DEFINITION

Performs a variety of semi-skilled maintenance and technical tasks in a fisheries or wildlife research or management unit or in a fish hatchery, forestry nursery, state forest, state park or recreation area; performs related work as required.

The Work Examples and Competencies listed are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.

WORK EXAMPLES

Assists in: collecting biological data such as fish population and harvest figures, brood fish and eggs for fish culture's; and wildlife surveys such as roadside game bird counts, winter muskrat, raccoon and deer spotlight, aerial deer survey, etc.

Distributes trapping equipment such as rocket nets, blinds, net boards, electrical wires, and mauls; maintains bait stations by contacting landowners for permission to trap, and clearing bait sites by moving and removing weeds and tall grasses.

Assists in carrying out land management programs by planting and caring for trees, shrubs, and food plots of corn and sorghum, spraying food plots and seedings for fertilization and weed control, manipulating water levels for optimum wetland habitat, and burning native grasses to control growth of encroaching woody vegetation.

Assists with monitoring crop leases by checking fields for crop plantings, drawing field boundary maps, collecting payments, and answering questions about crop rotation and lease provisions.

Assists in production of fish; checks fish for readiness to spawn, strips eggs and collects semen, fertilizes eggs, and incubates fertilized eggs.

Places fish in lakes and streams as part of a stocking program to increase the quality and quantity of recreational fishing; conducts creel surveys to obtain information about the species, including weight and length of fish caught.

Maintains facilities by painting, installing insulation and paneling, repairing doors and windows, cleaning eave troughs, floors, windows, and cabinets, and shingling roofs; repairs tables and fireplaces, and maintains developed grounds, roads, trails, and restrooms.

Controls vegetation around buildings by mowing grass and spraying herbicides.

Repairs and constructs fences, and clears trees.

Repairs damaged dikes and boundary fences, and constructs and maintains parking lots, boat ramps, access lanes and roads by blading, building up, and hauling rock, and operating tractors, blades, backhoes, bar mowers, dozers and tractor loaders.

Establishes and improves forest stands by planting trees; works in established forest stands by thinning, pruning, collecting seed, maintaining tree improvement plots and other related forestry work.

Designs and constructs equipment used in fisheries and wildlife programs such as: nets; seines; fish traps; fish distribution units; nesting structures for wood ducks; mallards, Canada Geese, squirrels and bluebirds; and brush piles for rabbits and quail.

Enforces conservation laws of the State of Iowa in parks to insure the safety of state owned property and the general public; writes incident reports; provides administrative support and management assistance for the Park Ranger; assists area visitors or other law enforcement officers when needed.

Performs maintenance and monitoring of water and wastewater treatment plants and systems.

Makes oral presentations to special groups about the Iowa Department of Natural Resources programs.

Compiles or assists in the preparation of operational reports as required by Iowa Department of Natural Resources staff policies and procedures; completes special reports, and special studies and surveys assigned to the unit.

Maintains adequate water quality parameters in fish distribution tanks during stocking trips, checks water temperature before fish are stocked to insure survival.

Oversees the work of seasonal staff to the extent necessary to accomplish work in a safe and efficient manner.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Knowledge of wildlife and fisheries management techniques such as water level regulation, controlled burning, tree planting and weed control, collection of fisheries data, and fish production, etc.

Knowledge of basic state and federal laws, rules, and regulations as they relate to assigned natural resources programs.

Knowledge of the procedures and safety standards required in the use of electrical and power equipment, chemicals, and heavy equipment such as dozers, backhoes, chain saws, mowers and trucks.

Knowledge of facilities and equipment maintenance methods and procedures necessary to maintain neat facilities and safe equipment operation.

Ability to perform techniques used in conducting fisheries or wildlife management projects such as population surveys, trapping, banding, stream surveys, etc.

Ability to operate manual tools and automatic equipment used in the maintenance of natural resources areas.

Ability to work outside under any type of weather conditions, and to withstand physically demanding work such as lifting, stooping, and bending.

Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle and obtain a Commercial Drivers License with air brake endorsement if required by the position.

Ability to obtain a commercial pesticide applicators license if required by the position.

Displays high standards of ethical conduct. Exhibits honesty and integrity. Refrains from theft-related, dishonest or unethical behavior.

Works and communicates with internal and external clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner. Committed to quality service.

Displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Works with minimal supervision. Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention to detail.

Responds appropriately to supervision. Makes an effort to follow policy and cooperate with supervisors.

Aligns behavior with the needs, priorities and goals of the organization.

Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity. Fosters commitment and team spirit.

Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information. Listens to others and responds appropriately.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The equivalent of two years of full time experience involving facilities maintenance in plumbing, electrical, and/or heating and cooling, or semi-skilled or technical work in a biological, horticultural, conservation, or natural resources program;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting 30 semester hours of college level course work in a biological or natural resources program for the required experience.

NOTE:

Certain designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain: a Commercial Drivers License and endorsements; and/or certification as a water and wastewater system operator within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.

Certain designated positions require the employee to be certified by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as a Pesticide Applicator within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.

SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION

For designated positions the appointing authority, with the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise prior approval, may request those applicants possessing a minimum of twelve semester hours of education, six months of experience, or a combination of both, or a specific certificate, license, or endorsement in the following areas:

900 fisheries biology

901 wildlife biology

907 forestry

914 park and recreation management

Applicants wishing to be considered for such designated position must list applicable course work, experience, certificate, license, or endorsement on the application.

Effective Date: 10/98 BW