Who we are:

Did you know Ohio operates 76 state parks, manages over 750,000 acres of diverse wildlife land and more than 2 million acres of water? That’s just the tip of the iceberg of what we do at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) as we seek to ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all!

Across our 12 divisions and support services, we employ office staff, law enforcement officers, geologists, biologists, engineers, attorneys, communicators, managers, and so much more. Whatever your passion, we likely have a position to fit it and pathways for advancement!

Working at ODNR is a special experience. Our employees are afforded opportunities to participate in public events at parks, nature preserves, wildlife areas, and annually at the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fair! We routinely have Lunch and Learn events at our Assembly Center which are streamed on Teams Live as are monthly updates with our Director.

What we need:

We are seeking energetic, passionate people who enjoy the outdoors and want to play a key role for the position of intermittent Natural Resources Technician 1, within the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, assigned to Portage County The address for this position is 11027 Hopkins Rd., Garrettsville, OH 44231. To learn more about the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP), please visit the DNAP website and the Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve website

What you will do:

• Ecological Management Duties involve controlling the spread of invasive plants and general habitat management on and around state nature preserves and other properties. Activities will include hand pulling or cutting of vegetation, use of string trimmers and a variety of hand tools, and the application of herbicides utilizing a variety of techniques (training provided). Walking over rough and/or uneven terrain while carrying a backpack sprayer is also required.

• Trails and Facilities Maintenance Hike and check trails for downed limbs and trees, trim encroaching vegetation, assist in the construction or repair of infrastructure (bridges, boardwalks, stairs, kiosks, etc.), perform general labor, and remove litter, debris, and graffiti. Applicants must be capable of rigorous outdoor activity, including hiking over rough terrain, and must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds.

• Equipment Maintenance Operate and drive pickup trucks, UTVs, ATVs, and other motorized vehicles. Perform cleaning and sharpening of tool blades, preventative maintenance, oil changes, and other maintenance duties as assigned.

• Office Maintenance General cleaning of office facilities including common areas and restrooms along with assisting with minor building repairs and upgrades.

• Administrative Assist the preserve manager with recording ecological management and maintenance activities, provide accurate reports to supervisor/preserve manager and data entry.

• Monitoring Studies Assist staff with routine monitoring of the special management areas within the preserves. Monitor public access around the restricted areas.

• Visitor Assistance Provide relevant information to the public pertaining to the ecological significance of state nature preserves, explain the rules and policies governing the public and restricted areas.

Preferred qualifications:

• Candidates must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds.

• Prior experience in ecological management or maintenance is preferred.

• The ability to identify common wildlife species and common native and invasive vegetation is recommended but not required.

• Training will be provided on all equipment use, herbicide handling and application methods, and targeted plant and wildlife species identification.

• Candidates must be self-motivated and able to work independently and in a team environment.

Work hours and conditions:

• This is a 1000-hour intermittent (unclassified) position with a flexible start date.

• Normal work hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, two to three days a week, with the exception of occasional special events. Early mornings, late evenings, and weekends may be scheduled periodically, and flexibility is preferred.

• Applicants will be expected to work in inclement weather conditions and unusual working conditions such as cold and hot weather as well as rough, uneven, or wet terrain.

• Applicants are expected to handle and apply herbicide regularly in accordance with ODA Pesticide regulations.

• Applicants may be exposed to dirt, dust, fumes & noise; may be exposed to chemicals; may work in, on, or near water; may work evenings, weekends &/or holidays; work outside & may be exposed to inclement weather; and may be exposed to outdoor elements (e.g., animals, insects, poison ivy & poison sumac).

• Report times and duration are subject to change based on operational need, weather, and seasonal sunset times.

Please note:

• This intermittent position will remain at step 1 of the pay range.

• This intermittent position is not eligible for benefits (e.g., vision, dental, life, health insurance, holiday pay, leave accruals [vacation, personal, sick], any other paid leave, shift differential, pay supplements, etc.).

For more information about the position, please contact Emily Pellegrini at 330-977-2525 or Emily.Pellegrini@dnr.ohio.gov

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Formal education in arithmetic that includes addition, subtraction, multiplication & division & in reading & speaking common English vocabulary; valid driver’s license; valid Commercial Driver’s License required if motor equipment is of type & size regulated by Section 4506.01 & 4506.12 of Ohio Revised Code.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Job Skills: General Maintenance

Application Requirements:
Please ensure your online application clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs). Transcripts are required for all coursework, degrees or educational accomplishments claimed on the application. Applicants must submit a transcript (can be unofficial until point of selection) by the posting deadline (attach in the Additional Attachments section of the application submission Step 6). Should you have issues attaching, please email to: hr@dnr.ohio.gov. “See resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education sections of the application. Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered.

To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Mohammad Yakubu, EEO Regional/Program Administrator at 614-265-6992 ormohammad.yakubu@dnr.ohio.gov

Effective July 1, 2015 applicants must apply online for positions at all state agencies except the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

STATUS OF POSTED POSITIONS: Applicants can view the status of this position by logging into their user profile on the Ohio Hiring Management System [OHMS] Home page at the following link careers.ohio.gov, and selecting "My Profile".

NOTES:

Bargaining unit applicants will be given consideration for applicable positions, pursuant to collective bargaining agreement.

Please do not upload attachments that have an anomaly or are password protected.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.