Natural Resource Specialist II

District Resource Management Assistant

Division of State Parks - Hungry Mother State Park

Apply here: https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/jobs/district-resource-management-assistant-district-6-smyth-virginia-united-states

Hiring Range: $19.00 - $23.00 per hour

THE AGENCY
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is the state’s lead conservation agency and it takes a diverse agency to work for a diverse commonwealth. DCR protects what people care about – access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water and safe infrastructure. We manage 42 Virginia State Parks, which has thousands of campsites, hundreds of cabins, beaches, festivals, educational programs, more than 500 miles of trails… the list goes on. If you’re someone who wants to love what you do, and make a difference, DCR is the place for you!

The DIVISION
The Division of Virginia State Parks fulfills its mission “to conserve the natural, scenic, historic and cultural resources of the Commonwealth and provide recreational and educational opportunities consistent with the good stewardship of these lands, waters and facilities that leaves them unimpaired for future generations” by operating a system of 41 state parks that encompass over 75,000 acres; over 1200 buildings, almost 1700 campsites; over 300 cabins; over 700 miles of trails; nearly 500 miles of shoreline; 36 lakes and ponds; 11 swimming beaches; 4 international dark sky sites, and offers over 20,000 educational programs and workshops each year.

Managed by a full-time staff of 275 and a wage staff of 1000+ during the prime season, Virginia’s award-winning state park system boasts an incredible and diverse array of natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources; including parks in the mountains; on the ocean; on the Chesapeake Bay; on 8 major rivers; on 4 major lakes; 4 rail trails; and 3 battlefield sites, and 32 sites listed on the National Historic Registry. It is our honor and privilege to play host to more than 10 million visitors annually and to offer recreational enjoyment that positively impacts local communities and the Commonwealth overall (to the tune of an economic impact that exceeds $324 million).

THE OPPORTUNITY

Applicant will assist the District Resource Specialist with implementation of resource management projects across State Park District 6, which includes New River Trail, Hungry Mother, Grayson Highlands, Southwest Virginia Museum, Natural Tunnel, Clinch River, and Wilderness Road State Parks. The position is based at Hungry Mother State Park in Smyth County, Virginia. Position will require daily travel and occasional overnight travel.

Primary duties will be performing resource management activities including invasive species identification and treatment, constructing fire lines, assisting with prescribed burns statewide, boundary marking, trail maintenance and construction, wildlife habitat restoration, maintain/repair power equipment, assisting with managed hunts, and other resource management tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Knowledge of regional tree/non-woody plant species and ecosystems, and tree species identification strongly recommended.
• Ability to organize and maintain tools and equipment associated with resource activities such as small gas-powered engine tools, GPS units, backpack sprayers, trail building tools, etc is an advantage.
• Good writing and communication skills.
• Being capable of working independently.

Additional Considerations

• A Pesticide Applicator’s License or Registered Technician Certification License. At a minimum the Registered Technician license will need to be obtained if not currently licensed within 12 months.
• NWCG fire fighter type 2 crew level certification preferred. Fire Fighter certification will need to be obtained within 12 months.
• Knowledge and experience using GIS/GPS equipment and mapping software, specifically ESRI ArcMap 10 or ArcPro software.