Part Time Natural Resources Assistant (19hr/week) Full Time

At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

Did you know that Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation proudly hosts many community events each year? Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park are just a few that our employees and residents look forward to every year! Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) strives to enrich the lives of our residents. We do this by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, change to improve our resident’s fitness levels and decrease health care costs. This contributes to a sense of community through events and spaces for the public to socialize, thereby increasing property values and providing tourism venues. We protect open space, natural areas, and our treasured tree canopy through stewardship. We play a critical role in ensuring Mecklenburg County achieves its vision that the county “will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE.” The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and serves the City of Charlotte, six towns, and the unincorporated areas of the county covering 523 square miles. In addition, the department manages over 21,000 acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is continually recognized for its cutting-edge programs, state-of the-art facilities and unique partnerships. Our success is rooted in our staff. If you are interested in joining a dynamic team, dedicated to building a better community, and being recognized as leaders both in our community and across the country, then Mecklenburg County has great opportunities for you.

Position Summary

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Division is excited to add a Part Time Natural Resources Assistant to the team! This position will assist with overall operations at Latta Nature Preserve and support habitat restoration, natural resource management and inventory/monitoring activities within the nature preserve system. This includes but is not limited to assisting with prescribed burn operations, maintaining and operating field equipment such as backpack herbicide sprayers, brush saws, UTV/ATVs, and tractors, and operating handheld GPS units to assist with collection of geospatial data. This position will work about 19 hours per week, which may include nights and weekends based on business needs.

Division Specific Information: Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Division is responsible for the protection and management of natural resources in Mecklenburg County natural areas. The total acreage of these unique land assets currently stands at about 24,000 acres with about 8,400 acres protected as nature preserve. The Division contributes to regional environmental leadership and research by partnering with other public agencies and non-profit organizations in neighboring counties and throughout the state.

By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role, in which you meet the minimum qualifications for, at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available. If you are looking to grow in your career, or transition laterally into a new role, don’t miss this opportunity to apply!

Essential Functions

• Conduct natural areas assessments, invasive species removal, boundary marking, and monitoring rare and federally endangered species
• Assist with preparation of natural resource management plans and activities, such as prescribed burn operations and maintaining field equipment
• Conduct data entry and assist with research
• Maintain general housekeeping in work area
• Follow the work plan as prepared by the supervisor
• May respond to emergency situations
• Perform related work as required

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: No experience required

Education: Requires enrollment in, or completion of a bachelor’s degree in natural/environmental sciences, biology, botany, ecology, environmental education, education, or related field.

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?: Yes

Licenses/Certifications: Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges

Computer Skills: General knowledge of applicable computer programs

Knowledge

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Natural Resources management best practices

Skills

• Managing multiple tasks concurrently
• Organizing and presenting demonstrations in area of specialization

Abilities

• Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures
• Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner
• Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
• Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving forces behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs
• Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive
• Safety Awareness: Identifying and correcting conditions that affect employee safety; upholding safety standards

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Works outdoors exposed to weather conditions

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.