Seasonal Natural Resources Worker - Harrison Crawford State Forest

About the role

Work for Indiana Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

Responsibilities

• Resource Management Techs: Assists with the control of invasive plant species, natural area restoration, trail maintenance, brush and tree removal, signage, timber marking and/or timber stand improvement based on the property.
• Laborers: Work to maintain and repair property buildings, grounds, and facilities. Perform various duties based on property needs such as landscaping, mowing, firewood processing, structure maintenance, sign creation, trail upkeep, carpentry, and plumbing.
• Clerks: Perform a wide variety of tasks to support property staff including inventory, stocking, reporting, budgeting, and assisting with other administrative duties.
• Office Assistants: Answer inquiries about the property and provide quality customer service to the park visitors. This position also assists property management with operations and administrative functions.
• Entomology Workers (Taxonomists): Sort through samples of exotic forest or tree pests of specific concern. Survey samples are collected from high risk sites to determine locations of exotic insects and pathogens in Indiana. Samples of concern are processed and forwarded to a certified taxonomist for further identification and classification.
• Forest Worker: Assist in duties related to the survey, biological monitoring, and/or control of forestry resources.
• Nursery Workers: Collect, weigh, test, bail, and grade seedlings for quality and use. This role also packages tree seedlings and fulfills customer orders.
• Forestry Program Interns: Primarily conduct field inspections of forestlands and complete associated reports. Conduct assist with forest inventories, timber marking, educational programs, and timber stand improvement.
• Security Officers: Monitor the activities of visitors and report problems to property management or other authorities. Patrol the property and enforce regulations in a courteous, but firm manner. Provide security to facilities, construction sites, and logging operations as needed, including late night visits to area prone to vandalism, disturbances, and illegal activities.
• Gate Attendants (Ferdinand State Forest Only): Provide quality customer service at assigned property station. Main responsibilities include the collection of revenue from fees and permits, and cash/credit card handling duties.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or one (1) year of work experience.
• May be expected to work afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• May be required to wear a DNR-provided uniform.
• May be required to travel to different properties.
• May be required to have a valid driver’s license.
• May experience working with DOC work release crews.
• May perform duties in a variety of different environments, including an office environment, field environment, rugged terrain, and various adverse weather conditions (extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, etc.).
• May work around potentially dangerous heavy equipment (e.g. tractors, disks, mowers, planters, etc.).
• Some positions may require: Completion of some college coursework in wildlife management, natural resources, biology, ecology, forestry and/or related areas of study is required. Ability to understand and apply through on the job training and using previous, relevant experience basic biological principals, ecological variables and interactions, plant identification, herbicide application, invasive plant management techniques (of conservation biology, the management of forests, wetlands, and prairie habitats), and life histories of invasive plants.
• Ability to lift equipment, tools, or materials up to 50lbs.
• Ability to sustain periods of strenuous physical activity.
• Ability to carry out assignments with general instruction and limited supervision.

Qualifications

For success in this role, candidates should have:

• A high school diploma, GED, or one (1) year of work experience.
• The ability to work afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• The ability to wear a DNR-provided uniform.
• The ability to travel to different properties.
• The ability to have a valid driver’s license.
• The ability to work with DOC work release crews.
• The ability to work in a variety of different environments, including an office environment, field environment, rugged terrain, and various adverse weather conditions (extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, etc.).
• The ability to work around potentially dangerous heavy equipment (e.g. tractors, disks, mowers, planters, etc.).
• Completion of some college coursework in wildlife management, natural resources, biology, ecology, forestry and/or related areas of study is required.
• The ability to understand and apply through on the job training and using previous, relevant experience basic biological principals, ecological variables and interactions, plant identification, herbicide application, invasive plant management techniques (of conservation biology, the management of forests, wetlands, and prairie habitats), and life histories of invasive plants.
• The ability to lift equipment, tools, or materials up to 50lbs.
• The ability to sustain periods of strenuous physical activity.
• The ability to carry out assignments with general instruction and limited supervision.

Skills

Essential skills for this role include:

• High school diploma, GED, or one (1) year of work experience.
• The ability to work afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• The ability to wear a DNR-provided uniform.
• The ability to travel to different properties.
• The ability to have a valid driver’s license.
• The ability to work with DOC work release crews.
• The ability to work in a variety of different environments, including an office environment, field environment, rugged terrain, and various adverse weather conditions (extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, etc.).
• The ability to work around potentially dangerous heavy equipment (e.g. tractors, disks, mowers, planters, etc.).
• Completion of some college coursework in wildlife management, natural resources, biology, ecology, forestry and/or related areas of study is required.
• The ability to understand and apply through on the job training and using previous, relevant experience basic biological principals, ecological variables and interactions, plant identification, herbicide application, invasive plant management techniques (of conservation biology, the management of forests, wetlands, and prairie habitats), and life histories of invasive plants.
• The ability to lift equipment, tools, or materials up to 50lbs.
• The ability to sustain periods of strenuous physical activity.
• The ability to carry out assignments with general instruction and limited supervision.

Benefits

This seasonal position does not offer benefits and is limited to 180 working days in an eleven (11) month continuous period.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov .