Natural Resource Land Steward

Performs a wide range of skilled and semiskilled tasks in the field of natural resources and wetland management. Plans and directs the programs operations and maintenance of a reservation as well as protects the park staff visitors and park property in accordance with Park District rules and regulations. Assist on a park districtwide basis on a wide range of natural resource management issues. Oversees programs and trains others on invasive plant and nuisance animal control efforts and natural resource management.

Develops and conducts educational (e.g. natural and cultural history educational and recreational etc. and interpretive programs and presentations (e.g. school public volunteers staff etc. and writes news articles for publications including the Arrowhead.

Confers with Park Manager Conservation Supervisor and Operations Supervisor to assist with plans establish natural resource land and wetland priorities of projects; directs and helps with implementation; prepares sketches specifications and plans such as boardwalks appropriate native vegetation planting etc. Performs inspections and ensures proper maintenance and postconstruction development.

Collects researches inventories and analyzes data on the Parks Districts natural resources. Assist with drafting implementing and evaluating comprehensive natural resource management plans within parks; submit verbal and written reports; keep records; provide input and recommendations on the condition of the Park Districts natural resources.

Assists and/or directs and schedules staff in related natural resource management (e.g. develop wetland plant community pest and nuisance/invasive plant and animal control activities stormwater management disease control reforestation restoration water quality test aquatic resources fish flora fauna etc.; maintenance activities (e.g. clearing trails parks pruning watering managing wetlands dikes control structures hauling equipment and supplies etc.; recommends types and location of trees shrubs grasses and etc. Develops drafts of policies procedures and standards; participates in and assigns crosstraining between parks and departments.

Schedules direct assigns tasks and reviews work; determines work priority motivates personnel and evaluates performance. Oversees supervises trains staff interns volunteer groups service groups etc. (e.g. schedules monthly work sessions recruits volunteers works with corps leader trains corps members etc..

Participates in the development and administration of the budget. Prepares and maintains records (e.g. related documents progress reports cost estimates etc. Performs related administrative duties (e.g. prepares comprehensive reports budget requests capital improvement projects maintenance and repair projects schedules job lists initiates purchasing of materials and supplies according to policy; inventories accounts for park revenues etc..

Establishes and maintains positive public relations with the general public neighbors and specialty and service groups; handles minor complaints; Develops partnerships with local school and civic groups Works with local elected government officials and attends public meetings. Develops working relationships with local fire departments with training toward prescribed burns. Promotes the Park District through public contact. Attends staff and board meetings to offer suggestions and provide the information requested.

Prepared specifications for new equipment; operates maintains and repairs a wide variety of hand power and equipment (e.g. tractors frontend loader dump truck backhoe bulldozer roller brush hog snowplow various mowers sprayers chainsaw trimmer etc) Prepares and applies chemicals plants mows and fertilizers. Instructs employees and volunteers on the proper operation and use of equipment.

Ensures adherence to all safety standards; trains staff and attends meetings (e.g. safety programs and training etc.. Implement Districtwide programs and policies. Keeps abreast of the latest knowledge and techniques within required areas.

Performs all duties of the Natural Resource Manager and Assistant Manager. Open and close parks; patrol and enforce park rules and regulations; respond to accidents and emergencies and administer first aid; ensure all reports are submitted in a complete and timely manner.

If an Ohio Peace Officer Renders aid assistance and information services to park visitors to protect and preserve the lands waters and facilities of the Park District. Enforces LCMP rules and regulations and the laws of the State of Ohio. Conducts internal and criminal investigations apprehends violators issues warnings and makes arrests; transports prisoners to jail or court. Completes all needed forms and reports. Secures park buildings gates and alarms; operates law enforcementrelated equipment.

Performs and participates in special projects and related duties as apparent or assigned.

The classification of Natural Resource Land Steward carries with it the status of a supervisory employee. A supervisory employee is an employee who has authority in the interest of the public employer to assign reward or discipline other public employees; to responsibly direct them; to adjust their grievances or to effectively recommend such action and requires the use of independent judgment.

INTERNAL POSTING DATES: Friday March 28 through Monday April 7 2025.

Education/Experience: Bachelors Degree in biology natural resources environmental science or related field and 5 years of land management experience or equivalent. Skill in the operation of grounds maintenance equipment. Excellent customer service and communication both written verbal and interpersonal skills.

Language Skills: Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with coworkers supervisors the general public local law enforcement agencies community/citizen groups other public agencies etc. Ability to prepare meaningful concise and accurate reports; establish effective working relationships as a supervisor or within the work unit; ability to use a twoway radio.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate fractions decimals and percentages.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to recognize unusual or threatening conditions and take appropriate action apply management principles to solve practical everyday work problems; ability to define problems collect data and draw valid conclusions.

Licenses Registrations: Possession of a valid Ohio Drivers License insurable by the Park Districts insurance carrier and ability to conform to the driving standards policy as approved by the Board of Park Commissioners. Possession of valid standard first aid and CPR cards within six months of employment. May be required to possess a valid Ohio Peace Officer Training certificate or obtain a valid Ohio Peace Officer Training Certificate within 12 months of employment as deemed necessary by the Park District. May be required to obtain a pesticide applicators license.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk stand talk or hear operate twoway radio and construction equipment sit on equipment or in the office for prolonged periods of time work with hands lift 80 pounds drive park vehicles equipment (e.g. sprayer seed drill various mowing equipment etc). The employee is frequently required to use their hands to complete reports use personal computers etc. The employee uses hands and fingers to pick seeds plant use handheld power tools use equipment/gear associated with prescribed burns etc.

Work Environment: While performing the regular duties of this job the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions patrolling the parks. The employee spends a portion of their time working in the shop and/or office. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Any Additional Information: Knowledge of safety practices and procedures building and grounds maintenance basic landscaping and horticulture department policies and procedures management budgeting inventory control and public relations. Ability to maintain working relationships with coworkers supervisors the general public local law enforcement agencies other public agencies etc. The candidate must satisfactorily complete a background investigation.

The above description represents the essential and most significant duties assignments and responsibilities of this position in accordance with the essential job functions and associated functional task elements attached herein.

Lorain County Metro Parks is an equal opportunity employer.