Environmental Technician - Environmental

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Regular attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Patrols county roadways and rural areas in general to locate solid waste, weed control and animal control violations as defined in state statutes and county ordinances; issues warning or citations as required; appears in court to testify regarding, but not limited to, related cases.
• Receives, investigates and resolves complaints concerning solid-waste, weed control and animal control problems or violations.
• Removes dead, decomposing, injured, ill or vicious animals from roadways or rural areas -- including residential properties -- as outlined in animal control ordinance and transports or disposes of same. May be required to euthanize animals and/or prepare biological samples of remains for laboratory testing.
• Maintains activity logs and enforcement records as required by law and by department policies and procedures.
• Required to have and maintain a telephone for 24-hour emergency contact.
• Employee may be required to work variable hours, shift work and overtime, including some evenings, early mornings and weekends. Employee is subject to on-call duties on a rotating basis.
• May be required to attend training classes and seminars, resulting in travel out-of-county or overnight.
• May be required to reside within area of county consistent with work assignment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Trade school or other post-secondary education/training in related fields preferred.

Experience:

• One year experience in a related field preferred.
• Some experience in animal restraint and care techniques preferred.

Certification, Skills and Licenses:

• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in English.
• Valid New Mexico driver's license.

Physical Functions/Requirements:

• The physical demands described here are representative and not necessarily exhaustive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Ability to sit for up to four hours at one time and up to eight hours total per day.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for up to four hours at a time and up to eight hours total per day.
• Ability to crouch, kneel, bend at the waist, twist/rotate at the waist, or remain in a prone position as needed to perform essential duties.
• Ability to work with arms bent or extended for up to four hours at one time and up to eight hours total per day.
• Ability to reach with arms away from body and overhead as needed to perform essential duties.
• Ability to push/pull with arms with a force of 5 lbs. frequently, and with more force as needed to move equipment, restrain animals, etc.
• Ability to drive a vehicle with automatic transmission on a daily basis, often for long distances and/or over rough terrain.
• Ability to lift files, maps, animal snares and traps, and other materials to waist level and carry within the workplace or to and from a vehicle frequently.
• Ability to lift items and/or animals weighing up to an estimated 60 pounds to waist level (vehicle tailgate level) frequently, and to lift items weighing from 20 to 40 pounds to shoulder level or overhead occasionally.
• Ability to grasp and manipulate objects in order to perform essential duties.
• Ability and willingness to undergo prophylactic vaccinations against communicable diseases if necessary.

Mental Functions/Requirements:

• Must be able to consult effectively with supervisors and understand and follow oral directions and instructions.
• Must be able to read, understand and follow written directions and instructions.
• Must be able to communicate adequately in order to explain environmental and animal control regulations and procedures to individuals with varied educational and socio-cultural backgrounds; must be able to explain work-related pgoress and problems to supervisors and others.
• Must be able to read and understand such items as forms, logs, policy and procedure manuals, signs, maps and equipment instruction manuals.
• Must be able to write such items as reports and citations using proper format and grammar.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment, performing duties that may include euthanizing animals and handling sick, injured or dead animals.
• Must be able to use tact and courtesy in working with a wide range of individuals, including the public, often under tense circumstances.
• Must be knowledgeable of relevant traffic laws and regulations.

Other:

• Ability to perform essential duties and adapt to working conditions.
• No history or pattern of reckless driving, DWI or irresponsible driving in the last five years.
• No history of felony or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, violence, distribution of controlled substances, or dishonesty.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative but not necessarily exhaustive of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Performs work both indoors and outdoors.
• May be exposed to temperature extremes, noise factors, vibrations and natural weather conditions when working in the field.
• Works indoors primarily on even carpeted or tiled surfaces which are normally dry. May on occasion be wet, slippery, or contaminated with human or animal waste or body fluids, other organic materials, hazardous chemicals and similar substances. Outdoor duties may be performed on asphalt, concrete or natural ground surfaces which may be dry, wet, slippery or contaminated. May also work on inclines, ramps, ladders, stairs, elevator or escalator.
• May be required to use stairs, elevator or escalator during performance of essential duties. Exposed to normal and off-road driving hazards.
• Work is primarily conducted during daylight hours, but may be conducted at any time during the 24-hour day if the need arises. Employee is subject to call-out at any time.
• May work alone with or without direction, or with other people in a select group.
• Worker will be exposed to dusts, pollens, grasses, weeds, mists, noxious odors, refuse, etc., while performing essential duties. Will also be exposed to wild and domesticated animals, insects, rodents, reptiles and other naturally existing hazards in rural areas.
• Some risk of verbal and physical abuse exists in relation to interaction with members of the public under sometimes tense conditions.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Interview
• Background check.
• General employment background check.
• Driving record check.
• Alcohol/drug screen; positive results are disqualifying.
• Physical and back x-ray in accordance with essential duties and physical and mental requirements.
• Job-related skills tests may be given.