Title: Mountain Region Assistant Steward

State Role Title: Administrative and Office Specialist III

Hiring Range: $18.00 - $21.00 per hour

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Roanoke County, expected to change to Montgomery County in 2025.

Agency Website: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Mountain Region Assistant Steward will assist with the management of Natural Area Preserves (NAP) in the Mountain Region of western Virginia. This is a part-time, hourly position up to 40 hours per week, with no benefits other than worker’s compensation. The work schedule is flexible and will include weekends during seasonal peaks in public visitation to NAPs. This position will offer learning and professional training opportunities as available and appropriate.

Duties include invasive species management, trail maintenance, fire-line preparation, service on prescribed burn crews, posting preserve boundaries, cleaning & maintaining equipment and workshop, leading volunteer workdays, NAP trash removal, and other duties as assigned. This position must safely operate vehicles and equipment such as pickup trucks and trailers, tractors, UTVs, chainsaws, herbicide sprayers, hand tools, power tools, and prescribed fire equipment. Additionally, this position will provide on-site presence, manage visitation, and provide interpretation about natural resources and preserve rules at Mountain Region NAPs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of natural resource management, forestry, ecology, or related science.
• Demonstrated experience safely accomplishing arduous physical work outdoors, particularly in remote environments, and a variety of weather conditions.
• Demonstrated experience navigating both on and off trails with a compass and/ or GPS.
• Experience safely using a variety of hand and/or power tools.
• Ability to effectively and positively communicate with the public.
• Valid state driver’s license.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with safe operation of vehicles and equipment such as pickup trucks and trailers, tractors, UTVs, chainsaws, pesticide sprayers, and prescribed fire equipment.
• Qualified as Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Ability to regularly work in diverse conditions including exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals and insects, ability to perform heavy manual labor to include standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequently lifting 25 lbs.

Ability to pass the NWCG wildland fire work capacity test (arduous level).

Ability to obtain a pesticide applicator registered technician certification.

Wage/seasonal positions are not eligible for benefits and are limited to 1,500 hours from May 1 to April 30.

A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.

Submission of an online application is required for this position. DCR does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc. for this vacancy in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application or resume is complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.

Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT

Contact Information

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Phone: N/A

Email: N/A

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.