Job description

The Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) seeks an interested and qualified person for an exciting position!

POSITION: OPEN SPACE HABITAT TECHNICIAN / PATROL SUPERVISOR

JOB SUMMARY:

Under direction of the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency (RCHCA) Natural Resources Manager, the Open Space Habitat Technician / Patrol Supervisor will primarily be responsible for maintenance and patrol of open space habitats and restoration systems as well as assist higher level positions with conducting various tasks under the management and monitoring annual work plans. The Open Space Habitat Technician / Patrol Supervisor serves as an “at will” employee.

RCHCA is responsible for planning, acquiring, and managing habitat for the Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat (SKR) and other endangered threatened and candidate species in Western Riverside County. RCHCA oversees the implementation and management of the Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan. RCHCA activities are administered by the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG). For more information regarding the RCHCA, please visit www.rchca.us. For more information regarding WRCOG, please visit www.wrcog.us.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES / FUNCTIONS:

Management reserves the right to add, modify, or rescind the work assignments of this position as listed below and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform essential duties of the job.

Under general direction of RCHCA’s Natural Resources Manager, the job functions for the Open Space Habitat Technician / Patrol Supervisor may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Carry out light custodial, maintenance, and cleanup of open space structures and grounds.
• Minor construction, repair, and improvement of structures, facilities, and grounds.
• Ability to answer public inquiries and complaints concerning space and wildlife habitat reserves and operations.
• Aid in emergency situations.
• Maintain fire prevention standards including maintaining fire breaks and fire fuel modifications as established by the State Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention.
• Understand principles and practices of natural resources conservation, open space management, and general enforcement, methods, and procedures.
• Support the natural history, conservation, preservation, wildlife habitat, and endangered species of

Riverside County.

• Understand basic principles of gardening, landscaping, and grounds maintenance.
• Ability to work with other grounds maintenance crews, jail trustees, or youths detained in juvenile institutions in the performance of grounds maintenance work.
• Patrol open space and wildlife habitat reserves; monitor for trespass and interact with trespassers; work with maintenance personnel to maintain signs and access controls as needed; utilize law enforcement agencies to achieve compliance.
• Educating and informing the public and private entities on conservation management and environmental matters.
• Perform other related work as required.

The preceding functions have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. WRCOG Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would include:

• Basic written and computer skills.
• Experience analyzing situations and taking effective action during emergency situations
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative relations with the public and with representatives in other jurisdictions
• Minimum 5 years’ experience coordinating mutual aid operations with outside agencies including

Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, CalFire fire investigators, Bureau of Land Management law enforcement, CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife game wardens

• Planning and implementing in-service training and employee development programs and evaluate the performance of personnel, group groups, and contractors
• Effective communication skills and experience de-escalating situations of confrontation, or high stress environments
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a supervisory park ranger, patrol or similar position working in open space, parks, public recreational areas or landscape maintenance settings.
• Strong interest in natural resource conservation, especially small populations, and threatened and endangered species.
• Knowledge of GPS, GIS, and ESRI Field Maps application software.
• Ability to hike through a variety of habitat types and terrain, walking over uneven ground, climbing over obstacles, and accessing remote locations.
• Ability to interpret maps.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, and flexibility to work independently.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with staff from numerous agencies and jurisdictions, community members, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to address and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and work amid interruptions.
• Detail-oriented and resourceful, possessing aptitude to assist with special projects, as needed.
• Exceptional organizational and reporting skills, recognizing the importance of communication and completion of tasks on deadline.
• A valid California Driver’s License.
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field
• Ability to operate a four-wheel drive vehicle over rugged terrain.
• Operate vehicles that are equipped with manual transmissions, including tractors and implements, all- terrain vehicles, and small gas engine equipment.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of natural resources conservation, open space management, and general enforcement.
• California native plant and wildlife species.
• Principles of first aid and safety including CPR certification.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications.
• Demonstrated proficiency in both writing and speaking in English language.

Ability to:

• Work cooperatively with, provide staff support to, and implement the policies of Management.
• Provide a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, contractors, and WRCOG staff in a professional manner.
• Drive a 4x4 vehicle in off-road situations.
• Work evenings or early mornings as needed during monitoring sessions.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with herbicide application preferred.
• Experience with operating a tractor and implements.
• Basic first aid, CPR, AED and First Responder Certification
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Field Maps Collection Software
• OSHA Safety Certificate

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This is primarily a field work-oriented position. Approximately 90% of time will be spent in the field. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds. Must be able to navigate in uneven or rugged terrain. Should be able to learn and operate GPS navigational systems, topo maps or compass, and have orienteering skills. The Technician will be required to work independently in the field with limited supervision. Must also work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer / laptop, operate a motor vehicle, and visit various meeting sites throughout Western Riverside County, southern California, and beyond for the conduct of WRCOG / RCHCA business. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS:

This position is classified to work under extreme temperatures outdoors, in primitive conditions and around large domestic livestock. The employee also interfaces with staff, management, other departmental representatives, government officials, business representatives, and the general public in explaining WRCOG and RCHCA policies and requesting and providing information. The Technician will be required to use herbicides to treat non-native plant species using backpack sprayers. Therefore, applicants should be comfortable with working with herbicides or willing to be trained.

COMPENSATION:

Salary: $25.00 / hour

Hours: Part-time, up to 20 hours/week

Benefits: Medical, dental, PERS 2% @62 (employee pays 6.75% pf EPMC). 10 days’ vacation annually and 13 days sick leave annually, 12 holidays annually, and a deferred compensation plan (employee paid).

Application:

A completed application, resume, and cover letter must be submitted / postmarked by the filing deadline. It is preferred that application packets are submitted electronically. Please email application packet to Hiring
Manager at careers at wrcog.us.

Applications may also be mailed to the following address:

Western Riverside Council of Governments
3390 University Avenue, Suite 200
Riverside, CA 92501
ATTN: Hiring Manager

FILING DEADLINE:

At this time, this position is open until filled. Electronic submittals are acceptable if they are provided by the

stated deadline (WRCOG staff may subsequently request original documents).

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNTY:

For more information regarding this job opportunity please contact Hiring Manager at careers at wrcog.us.

ABOUT WRCOG:

Established in 1991, WRCOG is a Joint Powers Authority and serves one of the fastest growing areas in the
State of California and the United States. Today, its 18 member cities and the unincorporated County of
Riverside are home to 2 million people, and some 800,000 will join us by the year 2035. In addition to the 19 member jurisdictions, the Eastern Municipal Water District, Western Municipal Water District, and the Riverside
County Superintendent of Schools are members of the Agency.

Recognizing that many issues related to growth are not constrained by city or county boundaries, WRCOG focuses on regional matters important to our future. By working together through its committee structure and utilizing existing resources, WRCOG is cost-effective by reducing duplication of effort and sharing information, enabling strong advocacy, and strengthening Western Riverside County’s standing in southern California and the state. WRCOG’s program areas are varied and diverse, and include transportation, air quality, solid waste, housing, environment, energy, economy, growth, and sustainability.

For more information on WRCOG please visit the Agency website at www.wrcog.us. WRCOG is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Weekend availability
• Weekends only

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Perris, CA 92570: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• supervisory park ranger, patrol or similar position: 5 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• CPR Certification (Preferred)
• First Aid Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

colinoncars.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, colinoncars.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, colinoncars.com is the ideal place to find your next job.