This position is responsible for administering RCW 17.10, WAC 16-750, WAC 16-752 and SCC 6.56 throughout Skagit County.
- Salary upon hire is step 1 through 3 ($33.10/hr to $35.46/hr per hour) for a Noxious Weed Coordinator, dependent upon qualifications.Develops and delivers noxious weed public education and outreach programs (and evaluates effectiveness of same) including but not limited to developing outreach materials, website development and maintenance, holding presentations, trainings, public workshops including staffing booth at County Fair and farmers’ market booths, preparing newsletters, articles and targeted mailings with the goal of informing and educating the public about noxious weeds, and the importance of control and eradication.
Assists the Noxious Weed Control Board by inspecting land for the presence of noxious weeds. Facilitate the eradication of such weeds while utilizing Integrated Pest Control (IPM),
Enforces noxious weed law as provided in RCW 17.10 and WAC 16-750.
Inspects Lands and crops according to NAISMA standards for WWHAM Washington Wilderness Hay and Mulch program.
Inspects mulch and aggregate facilities for the presence and transportation of Noxious Weed plant material.
Identifies target weed species in all types of habitat including forest, riparian, and rangeland.
Consults landowners on Land use and management while advocating the best Integrated Pest Management strategies.
Applies herbicides (safely and properly) to treat noxious weeds with ATV, UTV, truck, backpack, stock mounted sprayers, and watercraft. All herbicide applications shall be in accordance with state and federal laws.
Negotiates, maintains and administers Interlocal Agreements with local municipalities for noxious weed control.
Organizes and leads the Skagit Cooperative Weed Management Area Group (CWMA) to control and eradicate Knotweed Spp. and other listed noxious weeds in Skagit County as assigned by the Natural Resources Division Manager.
Operates, repairs, maintains, and calibrates various types of equipment and tools, including backpack sprayers and ATV mounted spray tanks, water tanks, trailers, hand tools, pumps, personal protective equipment, and power tools.
Collects and records data, including daily herbicide application records, entering and/or updating weed points into GPS.
Surveys, inventories, and maps noxious weed infestations using GPS. Surveys may be done on foot, truck, boat, ATV, or by other methods.
Maintains mapping information, treatment records, and monitors data using programs such as ArcGIS and Microsoft Office Programs.
Supervises staff to assist with weed control and eradication in accordance with County personnel policies and procedures. Contracts with professional independent contractors as necessary to carry out the functions of the department.
Establishes performance standards for the department and ensures that staff and contractors meet them.
Applies for and administers available grants to support noxious weed programs. Receives and responds to grant requests and submittals as directed. Coordinates and prepares data for grants, and oversees administration, grant reimbursement and record keeping. Prepares detailed monthly grant summary of activity and ensures grant compliance.
Engages with private and public landowners to develop Rights-of-Entry agreements and implement long-term site rehabilitation plans.
Assists with the annual budget request and monitors expenses throughout the year.
Facilitates the purchasing, ordering, and equipment repair and maintenance functions of the department.
Attends Weed Board meetings, acts as the Weed Board’s technical advisor and assistant; prepares periodic reports for the Weed Board.
Develops and maintains a records system to track the department’s work.
Keeps abreast of laws, rules and regulations concerning weed eradication. Ensures that application of chemicals and use of equipment is performed in accordance with all applicable laws and to safety standards to protect employees and the public.
Applies and administers NPDES - National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits required for chemical applications in waterbodies.
Represents the Weed Board and the County to members of the public and other agencies in a professional and courteous manner. Develops and maintains a method of responding to and documenting complaints and concerns.
Assist the County in the Management of Lake Management Districts (LMDs) and their primary role in addressing State listed aquatic noxious weeds.
Attends relevant trainings as authorized by the Director.
SUPERVISORY:
The position has direct supervisory responsibility for part-time, on-call employees and the full time Noxious weed Technician.
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:
Performs related duties as assigned. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description, but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical path to obtain the required qualifications would be:
REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF:
REQUIRES THE ABILITY TO:
LICENSES and/or CERTIFICATIONS:
Possess a valid Washington State driver’s license
Public Pesticide Operator’s license
Aquatic Applicator’s Endorsement
Agricultural Applicator’s Endorsement
Right-of-Way Applicator’s Endorsement
HAZWOPER
EPA Pesticide Applicator license for Indian Country
Washington State Boaters Education Card
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is performed in both office and outdoor environments at various sites around Skagit County. Adverse weather conditions are common. Physical effort is required to lift equipment, chemical backpacks, weed whacker machinery, etc. weighing in excess of 50 lbs. Physical effort is required to access difficult terrain along the County’s shorelines (on foot). May be required to walk 5 - 10 miles in difficult and remote terrain.
HAZARDS:
May involve working in boats (airboat, amphibious), ATVs, on roadsides, slippery and/or muddy conditions. May be exposed to insects, chemicals, and adverse weather conditions.
SELECTION PROCESS:
Following review of applications and resumes, the highest qualified applicants will be interviewed and may be tested. After a selection is made, all applicants not selected will be notified in writing. Skagit County reserves the right to use applications received for this posting to fill any other positions within this classification which may open within six months following the closing of this position.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices. American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test or interview process, please call: (360) 416-1380.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.