Park Environmental Specialist

Position Purpose/Summary

Park Environmental Specialist is responsible for studying, surveying, tracking, and cataloging wildlife activity and environmental habitats throughout Forest Park and other city parks, open spaces and conservation areas. Duties include wildlife management, community awareness, and giving lectures, presentations, and tours to ECOS students and other user groups. Position will also be responsible for assisting in the administration and oversight of the Park Ranger program.

Essential Functions

• Study wildlife species in municipal parks and open space properties to identify health and density of populations and resolve any human/ wildlife conflicts.

• Coordinate and facilitate pond and aquatic vegetation management in municipal parks and open space areas.

• Monitor park property for illegal activity, such as poaching and dumping, and report to the proper authorities as necessary.

• Create and maintain signage and resources identifying habitat and species present for public awareness. Create and maintain current reference material of Park wildlife and assets.

• Develop wildlife management plan for parks and open space areas using PAC best practices and materials. Respond to public environmental concerns as necessary.

• Provide environmental and interpretive programs highlighting wildlife and natural resources for the general public, recreation programs, and the ECOS program.

• Maintain, monitor and improve habitat of parks and open space areas through building and installing nesting boxes and identifying illegal dump sites, etc.

• Provide management in parks to ensure that trails are safe, free of debris, and usable for park patrons. Create appropriate signage for way-finding and habitat awareness in trail systems.

• Assist in the management and coordination of the Springfield Park Ranger program and act as a community liaison.

• Other assignments and projects as directed by the Executive Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skilled at public speaking and written communication with ability to effectively use teaching techniques.

• Ability to apply researched topics to work related issues.

• Direct and coordinate activities of workers, staff, and or work groups

• Familiar with the use of interviewing procedures.

• Scheduling events, programs and activities, as well as the work of others

• Ability to develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize and accomplish your work

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences; Forest Sciences, Biology, Forestry, Natural Resources and Conservation, Natural Resources Management, and Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management.

• Two years of work experience in the field required; four preferred.

• Specialized knowledge of identification of species, wildlife habitats, breeding, and migration is required.

• Knowledge of aquatic vegetation and pond management preferred.