NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICIAN III

Seasonal Contractual

Two vacancies; full-time & part-time 

Contract Period: May 29 - October 1, 2019

Annapolis, MD (Anne Arundel County)

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife & Heritage Service is currently accepting applications for one full-time and one part-time Seasonal Contractual position (Natural Resources Technician III). The Department seeks two highly motivated individuals to assist with a project to test a rapid assessment protocol for characterizing stream-associated wetland habitats and providing information on their condition. Field work will take place in southern Maryland (Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Calvert, and Charles counties). Job duties will include (1) collection of data on dominant woody and herbaceous vegetation (vegetation composition, structure, percent cover), physical site characteristics (including hydrology and soils), and stressors (including invasive plant species) at a variety of sites in the project area; (2) use of existing GIS data layers to characterize landscape condition and other measures relevant to habitat condition; and (3) assistance with data entry, data summary, landowner/land manager contacts, and equipment maintenance in support of the field work. Expect occasional long field days with varied weather conditions and biting insects. May need to use own vehicle.

Candidates must have a strong work ethic, good problem-solving skills, and the ability to work well independently and in a small team in remote areas with minimal supervision. Candidates must also have the ability to identify dominant herbaceous and woody vegetation of riparian wetland systems in the mid-Atlantic region, including associated uplands. Experience with ArcMap and handheld GPS units is required.

Education: Completion of sixty credit hours from an accredited college or university, 18 of which are 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.

Experience: Two years of experience in technical biological work in the field of natural resources management.

Notes:

1. Additional experience performing technical biological work in the field of forestry, arboriculture, wildlife, aquaculture, natural resources management, or fisheries may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Additional education beyond sixty credit hours from an accredited college or university in a natural resources related field of study can be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis for up to two years of experience.

3. 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 and education.   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Plant identification skills, including rare species.

Prior experience with collection of plant community data and wetland delineations.

Prior use of rapid assessment methods for wetland condition and characterization, including an understanding of the Floristic Quality Assessment Index and familiarity with NatureServe's EIA L2 protocols.

Experience with Microsoft Access and Excel.

Persons appointed to positions in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of an automobile or other motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess the appropriate operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment, and report all experience and education related to this position. Verifiable volunteer experience will be considered; please include it on your application, if applicable. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will proceed to the next phase of evaluation.

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program (the Program), have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

Leave may be granted to a temporary/contractual employee who works an average of at least 12 hours per week. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

The online application is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to:

Department of Natural Resources
Human Resources
580 Taylor Avenue, C-3
Annapolis, MD 21401

The Human Resources Department is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Crystal Wilson at crystal.wilson1@maryland.gov  

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.