Salary: $84,576.00 - $120,348.00 Annually
Closing Date: 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 8:00 AM on Monday, January 27, 2025. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications early. Candidates who submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline.
Apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/irwd/jobs/4776068/wetlands-ecologist?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
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The District
Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.
IRWD Corporate Values
Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.
IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.
The Position
Under general direction of the Natural Resources Manager, operates, monitors, provides analysis for, and maintains the District’s natural wetland treatment systems, urban runoff diversions, including the San Joaquin Marsh. Incumbent exercises no direct supervision over staff.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Wetlands Ecologist is distinguished from the Senior Wetlands Ecologist by the narrower responsibilities and scope of duties. Wetlands Ecologists are responsible for smaller, less complex assignments and projects, and more routine daily monitoring tasks. This classification may compile smaller reports and assist in the preparation of larger more complex reports and documents.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Participate in the treatment of surface water using natural and constructed wetlands and biofilter treatment facilities.
- Assist in the preparation of reports on the status of the District’s wetland operations and prepare proposals for changes and improvements in those operations.
- Coordinate the District’s wetland operations with various regulatory agency staff, including but not limited to the US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
- Coordinate vector control activities with the Orange County Vector Control District and oversee the operation of the District’s wetlands in a manner that minimizes vector production or related problems.
- Participate in the management of a comprehensive environmental compliance and monitoring program.
- Assist in the establishment or restoration of various habitat types associated with the District’s wetland operations.
- Assist in any mitigation work and related monitoring of environmental projects associated with the District’s wetlands operations.
- Assist in the design and establishment of new natural treatment wetland sites throughout the District’s service area.
- Conduct regularly scheduled site inspections of District wetland locations.
- Develop various forms and filing systems to document the operation and maintenance of the District’s wetlands.
- Read and interpret construction plans.
- Perform various manual field labor tasks, including but not limited to raking, shoveling, lifting and adjustment of weir boards.
- Operate various pieces of field equipment, including but not limited to water valves, pumps, powered hand tools, generators and specialty vehicles.
- Operate various pieces of scientific equipment, including but not limited to field test kits, automated samplers, GPS units and analyzers.
- Provide input on the preparation of the annual capital and operating budgets associated with the operation and maintenance of the District’s wetlands.
- Understand and review specifications and contract documents associated with the operation and maintenance of the District’s wetlands.
- Coordinate work with other District departments, in particular various Operations groups.
- Assist in the inspection of the work of contractors related to habitat establishment and landscape maintenance; and on engineered capital projects to establish and/or wetlands construction projects.
- Assist in the identification of various plants, animals and other biota in Southern California natural habitats. Differentiate non-native species from native species.
- Assist in plant and animal surveys and assess the viability/health of various habitats associated with Southern California wetland and upland environments.
- Prepare purchase requisitions and review invoices prior to approval.
- Comply with District work-related safety practices and attend relevant safety training.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
Minimum Education, Training and Experience Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, ecology, environmental science, civil/environmental engineering or related field. For degrees obtained outside the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.
Experience: One (1) year of related experience is required.
License/Certification:
- Valid Class ‘C’ California Driver’s License is required.
- California Scientific Collection Permit and fishing license will be required within six (6) months from date of hire.
- Professional Certification as a Wetland Scientist, an Ecologist or Wildlife Biologist is highly desirable.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of operating surface water and pumped water systems.
- Principles and practices of natural surface water treatment.
- Operation of various types of valves used in the water industry.
- Plant and animal species and identification techniques.
- State and federal water quality and endangered species laws and regulations.
- Safety policies and procedures related to wetlands operation and maintenance.
- Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Ability to:
- Ability to adapt to changing work conditions and circumstances such as working in field conditions and later using a computer to make precise calculations in the same day.
- Communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees and management.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with regulators and the public.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple and difficult requests from others.
- Understand and able to work with mathematical concepts including statistics and the fundamentals of algebra and geometry, especially the ability to calculate removal rates and removal efficiency.
- Use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job function.
Additional Information PHYSICAL DEMANDS Must possess mobility to sit, walk, bend, stoop, stand, lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 80 pounds with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff. on a routine basis. Ability to walk long distances over uneven terrain.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Employees primarily work in an environment with exposure to possible levels of unknown concentrations, malodorous, chemical or other materials in the field. Work outdoors in natural areas under varying conditions including rain, heat, cold, fog; and in areas with natural hazards such as ticks, snakes, biting and stinging insects, poison oak, stinging nettles, etc.
IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION All applicants are required to complete and submit a District application form online and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the District online application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page.
New users must create an account first. Click on this
link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time.
Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department and the subject matter expert. Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include:
Oral Interview Examination: will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education, and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.
Equal Opportunity Employer Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.
