Natural Resources Specialist - Wilkerson Nature Preserve

The Natural Resources Specialist position at Wilkerson Nature Preserve is a permanent part-time position focused on Natural Resources and land management while supporting park operations and education in the Preserve. The ideal candidate has experience in land management in natural areas, can work independently outdoors year-round, and can train and lead others in land management work. Relevant experiences include work with chainsaws, herbicide application, and prescribed burning for conservation management and rare species preservation.
About the Wilkinson Nature Preserve:
Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park is a 157-acre City of Raleigh property dedicated to the primary purposes of nature education and research into the methods of conservation. This position will be based out of Wilkerson Nature Preserve and the majority of job duties will be performed there.
Work Hours:
This position works primarily during the work week in 6-hour shifts from Monday to Friday with some weekend days required each month depending on seasonal needs.
This role works 30 hours per week as a Permanent Part-Time position and contributes to the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (LGERS) at a 6% employee contribution in addition to eligibility for 401k/457 retirement plans and medical benefits.

• Facilitates natural resource management planning in support to the Wilkerson Manager and leads implementation of resource management activities in all seasons, including use of management tools such as chainsaws, herbicide application, and prescribed burning
• Provides support to the Wilkerson Manager regarding hiring, recruitment, training, and supervision of temporary part-time staff and volunteers in natural resource activities
• Documents natural resource management work actions and data collected on biotic resources
• Assists with overall park operations including opening, closing, and facility rentals
• Supports educational programming and public outreach for Wilkerson Nature Preserve and for other City of Raleigh, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resource sites as needed, including supporting program animal care
• Provides customer service by assisting users of the preserve, providing information, enforcing regulations and standards of conduct, observing necessary precautions to ensure safety of all users, and rendering first aid in case of minor injury
• Works as a team member of the Natural Resources Unit of the Parks and Natural Resources Division to further the mission of the Department
• Drives the on-site Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) to complete projects around the preserve
• Assists City of Raleigh with clean-up and repair during inclement weather situations

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in biology, forestry, natural resource management, urban forestry, conservation biology, environmental science, parks and recreation, or similar field directly related to assignment and two years of directly related experience
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.
Licensing and Certifications:

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire
• First AID/CPR/AED training, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire (provided by City of Raleigh)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of experience in natural resource work
• Experience in a park, nature center, zoo, aquarium, or similar public setting
• Experience working with volunteers
• Experience with chainsaws, mowers, sprayers, and prescribed burning

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Best practices in natural resource management
• Field data collection techniques, including GIS
• North Carolina flora and fauna
• Environmental education and methods of instruction
• Effective public and internal communication abilities, both orally and in writing
• Gathering data, analyzing findings, and articulating issues and recommendations
• Tracking progress and maintaining efficient and accurate records in addition to multi-tasking under deadlines, coordinating these deadlines and prioritizing competing demands
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction
• Working both independently and as part of a team with attention to detail, planning, prioritization, and organization

ADA and Other Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
Medium Work:
Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in both the field and in an indoor office environment with frequent exposure to hazardous physical conditions (such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, etc.); frequent exposure to atmospheric conditions (such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, etc.); moderate exposure to hazardous materials (such as chemicals, blood and other body fluids); frequent exposure to environmental conditions (such as disruptive people, imminent danger, or a threatening environment); frequent exposure to extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting and movement restrictions; and moderate exposure intense noise or travel.
Note:
This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.Employment Type: Part-Time