Watershed Aides

SALARY:  $24.68 - $28.48 Hourly

OPENING DATE:  09/11/2024

CLOSING DATE:  Continuous

Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) is a public utility providing drinking water to 190,000 people located in a 147 square-mile area of Marin County. In operation since 1912, MMWD is the oldest municipal water district in California.

The Water District is offering an opportunity to work on the Mt. Tamalpais watershed while earning valuable work experience working with a community-oriented organization that is committed to contributing to the well-being of the environment!

The current needs are:

One (1) Watershed Aide in the area of Volunteer Management & Community Outreach. The assignment is for just under six (6) months. The work shift is Tuesday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and may include weekends, holidays and shift changes. Anticipated start date: October 2024.

Two (2) Watershed Aides in the area of Watershed Maintenance. The assignment is for just under six (6) months. The work shift is Monday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. dependent upon assignment. Anticipated start date: Oct/Nov 2024.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The deadline for the first review of applications is on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 12:00 AM. Applicants are encouraged to apply promptly as this recruitment may close at any time without notice.

When assigned to Volunteer Management & Community Outreach, typical duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Organizes and co-leads volunteer habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and other community stewardship events;
• Builds and establishes relationships with the public by engaging with them on themes such as local ecology, forest health, beneficial fire, recreation, water conservation, and stewardship;
• Supports the vegetation, maintenance, and ranger teams, plus One Tam partners, in achieving community engagement goals;
• Serves as liaison to partner schools, environmental and community service organizations, interns and crews;
• May direct interns, volunteers, and students;
• Performs administrative tasks including maintaining multiple calendars and spreadsheets, managing communications with stakeholders, and production and distribution of volunteer outreach and education materials;
• Manages field collections, photos, and data flow related to the Marin Wildlife Watch;
• Assists staff with the maintenance and restoration of watershed lands including use of hand tools for the improvement and rehabilitation of trails, removal of exotic plant species, and biomonitoring;
• The assignment is about 70% field work;
• Drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;

Strong candidates will have a proven track record of working safely outdoors, experience leading small and large groups of people, are capable of clear communication of questions and observations, have a strong work ethic, and courteous communication with the recreating public.

When assigned to Watershed Maintenance, typical duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Assists regular staff with the maintenance and restoration of watershed lands;
• Constructs or maintains fuel breaks;
• Removes exotic plant species and plants native vegetation;
• Constructs fish habitat improvement;
• installs erosion control structures;
• May work on a crew preparing for and conducting prescribed burns;
• Supports heavy equipment operation and maintenance used in vegetation management;
• Maintains radio communications with field staff;
• Follows safe work practices and observes safety rules and precautions to ensure a safe work environment;
• Drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;
• Operates construction equipment and a variety of hand and power tools in the maintenance of watershed lands and facilities; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

NOTE: The following knowledge and abilities reflect the qualifications for the various positions and is dependent upon the particular assignment. The applicant is NOT expected to have all of the knowledge and/or abilities listed below.

Knowledge of:

• Basic methods and procedures used in natural resources maintenance and restoration;
• Basic use of hand and power tools related to the work;
• Basic safety procedures related to the work;
• Principles, practices and methods of natural resource management;
• Principles, practices and methods of fishery and wildlife management, and
• Techniques for conducting scientific study and biological investigations of fish and wildlife resources.
• Common native and non-native flora and fauna, especially aquatic and riparian species;
• Common native and introduced plants of the region;
• Basic techniques for capturing and handling fish and wildlife;
• Customer service policies and techniques for interacting with the public;
• Environmental education techniques and group leadership; and
• Computer applications related to the work (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, ArcGIS Pro, Collector, Survey 123, YSI Kor)

Ability to:

• Perform routine landscape, parks and open space operations and maintenance work;
• Make field observations and accurately record and maintain scientific data;
• Work outdoors, often in and around water and in adverse weather conditions;
• Learn watershed landmarks, facilities and trail system and MMWD Land Use Regulations;
• Utilize safety procedures and equipment, recognizing and reporting potential safety hazards;
• Perform strenuous physical tasks, including lifting, swimming, carrying equipment, manual removal of invasive plants and hiking up to five miles per day;
• Use and maintain hand tools, power tools, and specialized monitoring equipment and instruments;
• Act appropriately in emergency situations;
• Follow safety procedures and utilize appropriate work equipment at all times;
• Follow directions and work collaboratively in groups;
• Work varying shifts including weekends and holidays;
• Learn and apply pertinent subject matter, procedures, and policies;
• Recognize scope of authority, seek assistance from others, and make referrals to supervisors as needed;
• Organize work schedule to set priorities and meet deadlines;
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing, with the public, in person, and over the telephone;
• Safely operate District vehicles, including on unimproved road surfaces;
• Drives light trucks to and from various locations throughout the watershed to conduct District business;
• Swim, depending upon job assignment;
• Maintains radio communications with field staff;

Training and Experience: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Completion of the twelfth grade or its equivalent.

Licenses:

• Possession of an appropriate California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles, and satisfactory driving record.

The following experience and abilities are desirable:

Some direct experience or college-level education in biology, natural resource management, environmental studies, park operations and maintenance or similar field of stu