County of Alameda

Vegetation Management Technician (#9106)

Bargaining Unit: BTC - Crafts and Trades (002)
$40.06-$42.01 Hourly / $3,204.80-$3,360.80 BiWeekly /
$6,943.73-$7,281.73 Monthly / $83,324.80-$87,380.80 Yearly

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DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to control both desirable and undesirable vegetation in an assigned area of the County; to mix and apply various materials for the control and/or eradication of woody or herbaceous vegetative growth; and to perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Vegetation Management Technician classification is located at the Public Works Agency in the Maintenance and Operations Department and reports to the Vegetation Management Supervisor. The employees are responsible for the control of noxious and invasive vegetation and undesirable vegetation infestations, and the management of desirable vegetation, both native and landscaped, in designated locations of the County. Employees are trained and licensed by the State of California to handle the materials used in vegetation management. This classification may also be assigned lead responsibility over a small crew.

The Vegetation Management Technician is distinguished from the next higher-level classification of Vegetation Management Supervisor in that the latter classification is the first-line supervisor with overall day-to-day program responsibility and differing mandated license, while the former classification is the journey level worker certified by the State of California to handle and apply herbicides used in vegetation management.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each employee in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

Inspects creeks, drainage channels, rights-of-way, easements, and other County-owned properties for invasive, prohibited, and restricted noxious weeds and undesirable growth while performing regular pest control activities and report findings to the supervisor.
Maintains designated landscape areas by monitoring and promoting desirable native and introduced vegetation.
Mixes appropriate materials registered for use with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) according to the label and in accordance with the rules and regulations of DPR.
Operates manual and automatic pesticide application equipment, regulates pressure, selects and installs nozzles, attaches booms, and regulates application rates.
Monitors treatment conditions to avoid possible damage to ornamental vegetation, harm to public safety, and negative impacts on the environment.
May be required to hand trim vegetation, backfill rodent holes, and plant or repair damaged landscape.
Performs minor preventive maintenance on pesticide application equipment, applicator hand and power tools, safety equipment, brush/tree chippers, and vehicles.
Uses a computerized tablet to track progress on daily work orders which includes logging time, equipment, and material usage.
May also perform the duties of a Laborer as needed.
May act as a working lead over a small crew, including creating labor, equipment, and material records for the crew and maintaining logs regarding work done.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of one (1) year of experience in the classification of Laborer or higher classification in the Alameda County Classified Services.

OR II

Experience:

The equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience in the control of prohibited and restricted weeds and weed infestations and the management techniques of desirable vegetation.

AND

License/Certificates:

Possess and maintain a valid California Motor Vehicle Class C Driver’s License. Candidates must submit evidence from the DMV showing the current status of their license at the time of application and must have a clean driving record for the previous one (1) year period.

Possess and maintain a valid Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) issued by the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) certifying the holder in at least one (1) of the following categories: Landscape Maintenance(B), Right-of-Way(C) and/or Aquatics(F). The successful candidate must be able to obtain the remaining categories of the three (3) listed above that they do not possess within six (6) months of the hire date. Failure to obtain the above-listed certificate with all three (3) categories within six (6) months of the hire date will be grounds for release from employment.

It shall be the employee's responsibility to pay any renewal fees to maintain a valid driver's license and QAC.

Special Requirements:

Subject to 24-hour on-call duties.
Work outdoors in all weather conditions.
Work on uneven surfaces.
Subject to loud noises.
Contact with dust, dirt, poisonous plants, dead and live animals, chemicals, etc.
Work in high-traffic areas.
Subject to climbing ladders, working from heights, working in moving water, bending, stooping, lifting heavy objects, working overhead, etc.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

Landscape maintenance practices.
Right of Way vegetation management practices.
Aquatic vegetation management.
Identification of native and exotic species of vegetation common to the area.
Vegetation growth patterns.
Integrated Pest Management.
Control methods for nuisance vegetation.
Operation and adjustment of pumps and pressure-regulated spray equipment.
Methods and procedures used to mix and apply pesticides.
Safe work practices relating to the use of hand and power tools, compressors, pumps, and related equipment.
Safety precautions are required to protect personnel and property from damage or destruction through the use of pesticides.
Laws, rules, regulations, hazards, and precautions associated with the safe and effective use of pesticides.
Computerized maintenance management systems and other similar software are used for record keeping.

Ability to:

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, the general public, and regulatory agencies.
Identify common vegetation indigenous to the area and identify noxious or invasive weeds and other pests.
Work independently.
Make adjustments in the field to work around other work or situations in progress.
Read, understand, interpret, and comply with laws and technical regulations pertaining to vegetation, pest, and rodent control.
Maintain daily records of pest control activities, time sheets, maps and chemical use using a computerized tablet.
Manage inventory, place orders for products and equipment.
Mix and apply pesticides, either manually or with automated spray equipment.
Evaluate field conditions such as: Weather, wind terrain, proximity of non-target animals, plants or property to ensure safe and effective work practices during pest control activities.
Accurately measure liquids and solids.
Read and understand information provided on maps, work orders, road index books, product labels, and material safety data sheets.
Operate a computerized tablet for preventative maintenance work orders.
Calibrate pesticide application equipment to deliver known quantities of pesticides to a given area.
Perform heavy physical work.
Communicate to the public about concerns regarding herbicide use.
Operate specialized amphibious equipment for vegetation management tasks.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

HC:pb 9/30/92

Old doc: 1191h

New doc: 9106.doc

ys/3/01

CSC Date: 10/15/92

RC:pf Rev. 12/12/03

CSC Date: 1/21/04

MH:cs Revised 2/3/15

CSC Date: 5/27/15

SK:saa revised 12/10/24

CSC Date:01/08/25

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
Vision or Vision Reimbursement
Share the Savings
Basic Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
County Allowance Credit
Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

12 paid holidays
Floating Holidays
Vacation and sick leave accrual
Vacation purchase program
Catastrophic Sick Leave
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits Program
Guaranteed Ride Home
Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
Child Care Resources
1^st United Services Credit Union

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.