Job Details

Now Hiring Full-time, Temporary Watershed Aides!

Open until Filled ~Posted on 4/12/2023~

Apply Immediately. The recruitment may be closed at any time

The Water District is offering an opportunity to work on the Mt. Tamalpais watershed while earning valuable work experience working with a community-oriented organization that is committed to contributing to the well-being of the environment!

Salary range $22.66 - $26.15 per hour.

Most positions are all for full-time (40 hours per week), temporary Watershed Aides for terms of just under six (6) months in duration. The days and hours worked also vary by position and need.

The current needs are:

One (1) Watershed Aide in the area of Volunteer Management/Environmental Education & Community Engagement. The assignment is for just under six (6) months. The work shift is Tuesday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and may include weekends, holidays and shift changes. Anticipated hire date: May 15, 2023

Two (2) Watershed Aides in the area of Watershed Maintenance. The assignment is for just under six (6) months. The work shift is Monday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. dependent upon assignment. Anticipated hire date: May 31, 2023

Two (2) Watershed Aides in the area of Vegetation Management. The assignment is for just under six (6) months. The work shift is Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and may include weekends, holidays and shift changes. Anticipated hire date: May 15, 2023

These are unrepresented (i.e., non-union), seasonal positions. Incumbents are expected to work a flexible schedule, which may include weekends and holidays. Job duties may include physical labor, maintenance, technical, scientific, educational and clerical assignments.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Tasks within the area of assignment may include, but are not limited to, the duties listed below. In addition to the listed duties, each employee assigned to this classification may perform additional duties pertinent to the area of assignment.

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Assists regular staff with the maintenance and restoration of watershed lands;


• removes exotic plant species and plants native vegetation;


• organizes and co-leads volunteer habitat restoration, biological monitoring, trail maintenance and community science events, including production and distribution of outreach and educational material;


• conducts field surveys including vegetation, pollinator, and wildlife monitoring;


• manages photos and data flow related to the Marin Wildlife Picture Index Project;


• serves as liaison to partner schools, environmental and community service organizations, interns and crews;


• schedules events, gives classroom presentations, and assists instructors in processing and analyzing student-collected data;


• maintains radio communications with field staff;


• follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment;


• drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;


• performs administrative tasks including maintenance of volunteer database, and production of volunteer outreach materials including web postings, mailings and posters; and


• performs other duties as assigned.

WATERSHED MAINTENANCE

• Assists regular staff with the maintenance and restoration of watershed lands;


• works with Marin County Adult Offender Work Program (AOWP) participants on Saturdays


• constructs or maintains fuel breaks;


• removes exotic plant species and plants native vegetation;


• constructs fish habitat improvement;


• installs erosion control structures;


• may work on a crew preparing for and conducting prescribed burns;


• supports heavy equipment operation and maintenance used in vegetation management;


• maintains radio communications with field staff;


• follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment;


• drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;


• operates construction equipment and a variety of hand and power tools in the maintenance of watershed lands and facilities; and


• performs other duties as assigned.

WATERSHED PROTECTION/RANGER AIDE

• Assists with patrol of areas to aid visitors and prevent vandalism and misuse;


• Inspects park facilities for cleanliness and empties trash containers, refills dispensers and cleans restroom facilities as needed;


• Maintains signs, roads, trails and recreation areas including picking up trash;


• Entrusted with use and security of Ranger portable radio;


• Maintains radio communications with field staff and assists watershed personnel as requested;


• Maintain and security of materials and supplies;


• Follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment;


• Operates construction equipment and a variety of hand and power tools in the maintenance of watershed lands and facilities; and


• Educates and assists the public by answering questions regarding the watershed.


• Assists in interpretation of laws, ordinances, rules and regulations;


• Drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;


• Performs administrative tasks including transporting cash and receipts downtown;


• May administer first aid as directed or consistent with level of training;


• May enforce parking regulations;

WATERSHED PROTECTION/SKY OAKS KIOSK ATTENDANT (Part-time, weekends and holidays only)

• Inspects kiosk for cleanliness and empties trash containers;


• assists visitors with pay station;


• distribute maps and help with directions;


• educates and assists the public by answering questions regarding the watershed;


• assists in interpretation of laws, ordinances, rules and regulations;


• maintains security of radio, materials, and supplies;


• maintains radio communications with field staff, relay information as warranted;


• may administer first aid as directed or consistent with level of training; and


• follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment.

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

• The assignment is about 75% fieldwork.


• Primary duty is navigating safely to known invasive species locations, correctly identifying the relevant plant, using a handheld electronic device to update the mapping and assessment, and manually removing the invasive.


• Follow up office work includes ensuring all digital records are accurate and complete.


• Strong candidates will have a proven track record of working safely outdoors, have some experience with plant ID and invasive removal, are capable of clear communication of questions and observations, have a strong work ethic, and courteous communication with the recreating public.


• Coursework or a degree in ecology or related fields is desirable, and candidates with an interest in pursuing a career in natural resources management are encouraged to apply.


• Watershed Aides may direct interns or volunteers and may provide oversight to contractors.


• Watershed Aides may also assist with other projects such as: on-going restoration projects, vegetation surveys, research data collection and entry, and rare plant mapping.

QUALIFICATIONS

NOTE: The following knowledge and abilities reflect the qualifications for the various positions and is dependent upon the particular assignment. The applicant is NOT expected to have all of the knowledge and/or abilities listed below.

Knowledge of:

• Basic methods and procedures used in natural resources maintenance and restoration;


• basic use of hand and power tools related to the work;


• common native and non-native plants;


• basic safety procedures related to the work;


• customer service policies and techniques for dealing with the public;


• basic computer applications related to the work (Word and Excel);


• principles, practices and methods of natural resource management;


• principles, practices and methods of fishery and wildlife management, and


• techniques for conducting scientific study and biological investigations of fish and wildlife resources.

Ability to:

• Perform routine landscape, parks and open space operations and maintenance work;


• use and maintain hand and power tools used in park facility, resource and grounds maintenance;


• make field observations and accurately record and maintain scientific data;


• learn watershed landmarks, facilities and trail system and MMWD Land Use Regulations;


• utilize safety procedures and equipment, recognizing and reporting potential safety hazards;


• follow oral and written directions;


• act appropriately in emergency situations;


• establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work;


• work varying shifts including weekends and holidays;


• learn, interpret and apply pertinent subject matter, procedures, precedents and policies;


• use good judgment in choosing among available alternatives, recognizing scope of authority, seeking assistance, and making referrals;


• use a personal computer with related software applications;


• organize own work, set priorities and meet deadlines;


• effectively communicate verbally and in writing, with the public, in person, and over the telephone;


• drive a vehicle safely on unimproved road surfaces;


• swim, depending upon job assignment, and


• make field observations and accurately record and maintain scientific data.


• maintains radio communications with field staff;


• follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment;


• drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;

Training and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would be likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Successful completion of the 12th grade or equivalent.

The following experience and abilities are desirable, dependent upon the assignment:

• Some direct experience or college level education in environmental education, park operations and maintenance, environmental resources, biology, natural resources management or similar field;


• experience dealing with the public, and working with volunteers and/or youth groups;


• proficiency using Microsoft Word and Excel;


• working knowledge of GPS and GIS (ESRI ArcMap 9.x or higher);


• familiarity with plant species of the Bay Area, and field survey methods for vegetation (Vegetation Management assignment);


• care and maintenance of power and hand tools (Maintenance assignment);


• possession of a current PC 832 certificate (Watershed Protection/Ranger Aide assignment).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Driving is an essential function of this position. Employees who drive on District business to carry out job-related duties must possess an appropriate California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and meet insurability requirements of the District including review of recent driving history and maintain a satisfactory driving record;


• per California Government Code, Title 1, Division 4, Chapter 8, Section 3100 "all public employees are hereby declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law";


• willingness to work on weekends, holidays and varying shifts, as the operation requires;


• wear appropriate attire as provided; and


• acquire safety or fire boots that meet District specifications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS (DEPENDENT UPON THE ASSIGNMENT)

Most assignments require mobility to work in both landscaped and open space settings, including dexterity to use a variety of office equipment and maintenance tools and equipment; strength and stamina to perform heavy physical labor and to lift materials weighing up to 50 pounds and heavier weights with proper equipment. The employee may use grounds keeping and landscaping tools such as rakes, shovel spades, brooms, pruning shears, pole loppers, chainsaws, brush cutters and wheel barrows; perform heavy manual labor for extended periods such as digging, trenching and pruning. The employee walks on uneven or un-level ground surfaces such as hills, slopes, streams, ditches or trenches, and works at heights up to ten to twelve feet climbing ladders or stairs. Depending upon assignment, the employee

works in or in close proximity to lakes and creeks and must be able to swim. The position requires hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; and vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. The employee is exposed to moving vehicles and other moving equipment and machinery, excessive noise, extremes in temperature, humidity, wetness and dust, and may work with chemicals, pesticides and insecticides using normal and specialized protective equipment. Additionally, exposure to poison oak is common for these assignments. The employee must be willing to work independently, off-hours and weekend schedules and outdoors in any weather condition.

Based upon information provided in the application documents, the applicants presenting the best job-related qualifications will be invited to continue in the process.

To be considered for a position you must submit the following:

1. MMWD Application


2. Supplemental Application

The selected candidate, upon acceptance of a conditional offer for District employment, will undergo a background check conducted by an outside agency and must take and pass a pre-employment/pre-duty medical exam and drug test. These assignments require driving. A driving history from the DMV will be required as part of the background check. This position is temporary, seasonal and at-will.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

A manual application packet may also be obtained by calling 415-945-1434. Online applications are strongly encouraged. Open until filled.