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NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST

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NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST

Salary

$56,366.82 - $63,554.23 Annually

Location

Ohio 45202, OH

Job Type

Full-time Classified

Job Number

24-00672

Department

Parks

Opening Date

05/16/2025

Closing Date

5/30/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

General Statement of Duties

Under general supervision and direction, t he Natural Resource s Specialist assess es and coordinat es the maintenance of Cincinnati’s natural resource assets as assigned by the Department Employees in this position will assist in coordination of the daily activities of staff and volunteers involved with maintaining natural resources.

Additional Information

Cincinnati Park’s Division of Natural Resources is seeking a skilled and passionate Natural Resource (NR) Specialist to help manage our public forests, meadows, wetlands, and natural surface trail system. Under the leadership of the Conservation and Land Management Section Crew Leader, the NR Specialist will work alongside a team of skilled professionals and seasonal employees to conduct various analyses and surveys of natural areas and trails using a GIS-based system to inform, develop, and implement land management plans for ecological and trail restoration projects. To implement these plans, the CLM team regularly engages with and trains volunteers in performing conservation work through the award-winning Cincinnati Conservation Stewardship Program. This position is 80% field-based and requires the ability to operate a vehicle, chainsaw, brush cutter and other powered and unpowered tools in a safe and efficient manner. Additionally, NR Specialists should expect to have or obtain an ODA-certified pesticide applicator license within the 6-month probationary period.

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)

(Illustrative only. Any one position may not require all the listed KSAs nor do the listed examples include all the KSAs which may be required .)

Knowledge of :

The flora and fauna of Southwestern Ohio including t he ecology and growth habits of common native/non-native annuals , perennials, shrubs, and trees.

B est practices of invasive species management, including t he proper use and application of herbicides for control .

B est practices relating to natural-surface trail management, maintenance, and construction.

M ethods of plant propagation , including collecting, sowing, and transplanting seeds.

The proper mixing and application of soil amendments.

E cological principles relating to habitat restoration and sustainable trail design .

E cological assessment methods such as Forest Quality Assessment ( FQAI ) , Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index ( HHEI ) , and Global Amphibian Assessment 1 ( AmphIBI ) .

Conservation and ecological research methodology and d ata collection procedures .

Creation of reports and documents related to the management of green infrastructure and natural resource assets within the city.

Equipment use, operation, care, safety devices, maintenance, and limitations for all equipment utilized for trail and forest restoration .

Skill to :

Operate a personal computer, tablet device , and other office equipment.

Utilize a GIS-based system (CAGIS) to analyze various data sets needed to guide maintenance objectives , document data collection / field assessments, and track maintenance needs/records .

Utilize Microsoft Office suite of programs daily (Excel, Word, SharePoint , Outlook, etc. ).

Mix and apply insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides to control invasive species, insects, plant pests, and diseases.

Operate motorized equipment such as a pick-up truck, tractor , riding mower, skid steer, mini excavator , hedge shears, leaf blowers, rototiller, chainsaw, edger, mower, line trimmer , and any other equipment assigned to complete the tasks assigned .

Establish a professional rapport with supervisors, fellow staff members, and the public.

Ability to :

Evaluate, identify , and manage non-native invasive species throughout park areas .

Monitor, evaluate, and recommend improvements, repairs, or changes to the natural resource asset to best meet the needs of the community.

Perform moderate to sometimes heavy manual labor to complete trail construction, invasive species management, site preparation, habitat restoration, and landscape plantings as assigned.

Read , interpret , and contribute to the development of land and trail management plans .

Prioritize daily activities without direct supervision. Keep accurate records of work completed. Type, update, and/or create reports, and spreadsheets as needed. D emonstrate creative problem-solving when presented with unformatted projects and/or ideas .

Safely operate and maintain motorized equipment including but not limited to chainsaws, blowers, brush cutters, backpack sprayers, skid steerers, excavators, tractors, and other equipment as assigned. Safely use and maintain hand tools including but not limited to pruners, trimmers, shovels, rakes, hammers, paint brushes, rollers, and saws. I nteract with the public, volunteers, civic groups, and other assigned committees and boards as requested by supervisor .

Provide natural resources-related training to staff and volunteers including but not limited to plant identification , herbicide application, trial maintenance , and equipment usage . Design and implement educational programming for the public related to natural resource management .

Follow safety policies and procedures, e.g., Employee Safety Instruction Manual , and applicable agency requirements. Remain flexible and adaptable to accommodate changing work requirements, workload and working conditions.

Required Education and Experience

TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED OR THE APPLICATION WILL BE REJECTED

Each applicant must have a minimum of a two ( 2 ) year degree or sixty (60) semester credit hours in horticulture, forestry, wildlife biology, environmental restoration, or a related field .

One (1) year of relevant experience in the Parks Department may be substituted for 30 semester credit hours. One (1) year of relevant experience with an outside agency may be substituted for 15 semester credit hours.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must have a valid Driver's License.

Must have the ability to obtain an Ohio Public Operator's Spray License before the end of the probationary period for Categories (4a) General Forest Pest Control, (5) Industrial Vegetation , and (3a) Aquatics .

Must be willing and able to work overtime and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

MILITARY EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION

Military education and experience may be substituted for college-level course work at the lower and upper division baccalaureate and graduate levels and apprenticeship training at the vocational certificate level on a case-by-case basis based on the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide recommendations.

Note: This position requires passing a Civil Service examination as part of the selection process. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will receive further instructions on how to complete the exam.

Working and Physical Conditions

Work is conducted indoors and outdoors, including inclement weather. While working outside, vigilance is necessary due to hazards such as weather, terrain, hand and power tool use, and chemical application . Must be able to lift, push, pull, and/or carry up to 50 lbs and greater on a routine basis over uneven terrain . General good health and ability to perform essential functions of this job.

The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan. For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting.

The City of Cincinnati offers its employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package designed to actively attract and retain quality employees' to add additional value to the City of Cincinnati's workforce. A summary of these benefits for full-time employment is listed below. This is a general listing of benefits for all employees and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing for all bargaining units.

The City offers a variety of training programs, ranging from job-specific skills such as computer and equipment instruction, to helping supervisors improve their management techniques.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.

Holidays

The City of Cincinnati has 11 paid holidays annually that include:

New Year's Day

Martin Luther King Day

President's Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans' Day

Thanksgiving Day

Day after Thanksgiving

Christmas

Health Insurance

The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non-city eligible group plan.

Eligible dependents include:

Legal Spouse or Equal Partner

Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order")

Step-child

Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian

Basic Life Insurance

A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City-paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group.

Supplemental Life, Long Term Disability, Accident & Critical Illness Insurance

Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors.

Flexible Benefits Plans

Healthcare Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members.

Dependent Care Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work-related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre-tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses.

Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account

City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set-up a pre-tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount.

Healthy Lifestyles Program

City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan.

Retirement Plan

The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part-time and full-timeemployees. New hires and re-hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police & Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police & Fire Retirees.

Deferred Compensation

As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax-deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.

01

Do you have a two (2) year degree or sixty (60) semester credit hours in horticulture, forestry, wildlife biology, environmental restoration, or a related field. (If so, please attach transcripts or your application will be rejected.)

+ Yes

+ No

02

Please provide a detailed description of your professional experience in one or more of the following areas: horticulture, forestry, wildlife biology, or environmental restoration. Include the scope of your responsibilities, types of projects or programs you worked on, and any relevant certifications or training.

03

Please indicate that you must attach your school transcripts if needed to meet the minimum qualification for the position,n or your application will be rejected.

+ I understand and agree.

04

Do you understand that you must be willing to obtain an Ohio Public Operator’s Spray License by the end of the probationary period, if required for the position? This includes Categories (4a) General Forest Pest Control, (5) Industrial Vegetation, and (3a) Aquatics. Note: Cincinnati Parks supports employees in obtaining certifications or additional education required for their roles.

+ Yes, I understand and agree.

05

Describe your familiarity with Cincinnati, Ohio's local flora and fauna, in as much detail as you can provide.

06

Describe your experience working with volunteer or community-led teams or organizations, particularly ones in the conservation space.

07

Describe your experience creating, leading, or conducting ecological restoration and research projects, including the goals, successes, and failures of those projects and what was learned.

Required Question

Employer

City of Cincinnati

Address

805 Central Avenue Suite 200

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202

Phone

513-352-2400

Website

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/cincinnati/default.cfm