State of Maryland

A Natural Resources Technician I is the entry level of technical biological work assisting Biologists in the management of natural resources.  Employees in this classification do not supervise.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Natural Resources Biologist, Natural Resources Manager, Forestry Manager or other designated administrator.  The work may require lifting or carrying heavy objects or equipment weighing over twenty-five pounds.  Employees are required to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions.  Some aspects of the work, such as the handling of wildlife, working aboard a boat or working in the area of a forest fire are considered hazardous.  Employees may be required to wear protective clothing and equipment when the need arises.

Position allocation to the Natural Resources Technician I-VI classifications is determined based on the total points accrued through the application of the Factor Evaluation System for Technical Biological Positions.  This system evaluates the position based on seven factors:  (1) Qualifications Required, (2) Supervisory Controls, (3) Guidelines, (4) Complexity, (5) Scope and Effect, (6) Personal Contacts and Purpose and (7) Supervision Exercised.  Additional information on the evaluation and allocation criteria for the Natural Resources Technician series is available from the agency personnel office.

Captures, measures, bands and releases wildlife, including fish, using various nets, lures, traps and cannon nets;

Collects technical data or research information from various resource user sources, such as game checking stations, fishing access locations, etc.;

Identifies and collects basic forest data, such as timber volume, topographical features, species and population of trees, timber stands ready for harvest, disease and insect damage, or potential fire conditions;

Identifies and collects basic water quality data, such as temperature, ph level, flow, depth and width measurements and habitat data, such as forest type and age or class distribution;

Operates various types of equipment to control terrestrial and aquatic vegetation and clear land or plant crops for use as wildlife food and cover;

Identifies tree diseases and predators and prescribes the proper treatment to prevent tree destruction;

Carries out fish culture procedures to produce adequate supplies of fish;

Fills and maintains fish-rearing ponds, raceways and tanks;

Maintains and repairs equipment, blinds, nest boxes and facilities, as needed;

Assists higher level professional staff in developing natural resource management plans;

Assists in conducting inventories of game and fish populations;

Assists in forest fire prevention activities and operations;

Assists higher level staff in providing assistance to landowners in regard to wildlife habitat improvement, nuisance wildlife management and best management practices;

Assists with presentations to various public or private, civic and recreational groups;

May maintain records on work activities and prepare basic reports;

May compute costs for materials and equipment usage or requisition, procure and take inventories of supplies;

May clean and maintain field and laboratory equipment;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of natural resources conservation and management principles and practices;

Ability to follow instructions;

Ability to perform manual work;

Ability to use or operate tools, equipment and machines;

Ability to perform field assignments and related office work with other employees;

Ability to participate in special research projects and investigations;

Ability to communicate effectively.

Experience: Two years of experience performing technical biological work in the field of forestry, arboriculture, wildlife, aquaculture, natural resources management, or fisheries.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the completion of 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university, 18 credit hours must be in biology, biochemistry, environmental science, forest technology, arboriculture, aquaculture, natural science, natural resources management, botany, marine biology, marine ecology, physical oceanography, ichthyology, fisheries management, wildlife management, zoology, or a natural resources management related field of study for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in the natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or natural resources management and biological sciences specialty codes in the biological science technician field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit B- Administrative, Technical and Clerical classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.