Appendix 2B: Roadside Vegetation Manager Position Description

‌Column 1 text goes here.‌Direct assigned staff in designing and implementing the county’s IRVM plan.

1. Control noxious weeds in road ROWs, particularly those species identified by the county IRVM committee, through the establishment of native vegetation, application of herbicides, and biological control via living organisms.
2. Control and remove brush and woody vegetation along county roadways through the application of chemicals, mechanical methods, and prescribed burning.
3. Plant and establish primarily native prairie vegetation in cleaned, regraded, and newly created ROWs.
4. Conduct prescribed burns in select county road ROWs.
5. Conduct safety training for assigned staff.
6. Perform all duties and responsibilities of the County Weed Commissioner (not applicable in all counties; in some counties, these are separate positions), including receiving and responding to all weed complaints, administering annual reports regarding destruction of noxious weeds in the county, conducting weed inspections, and taking leadership in the control and destruction of all noxious weeds.
7. Develop a public information and education program to promote public understanding of IRVM and wise land use practices that support IRVM objectives.
8. ‌Develop a public information and education program to promote public understanding of IRVM and wise land use practices that support IRVM objectives.

9. Inventory and document plant communities and related conditions along county ROWs.
10. Manage areas of native vegetation identified by the inventory process to improve vegetation diversity and overall health.
11. Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of the following activities: herbicide application, seeding and reseeding, prescribed burning, tree and brush removal, and timely handling of complaints from county residents and other government agencies.
12. Participate in scheduled and ad hoc routine equipment maintenance and arrange with supervisor for advanced work to be completed by private vendors. Document all maintenance conducted.
13. Direct and assist with the production, harvest, and processing of native seed for use in ROW seeding projects.
14. Complete monthly work activity reports for all tasks completed by IRVM staff.
15. Understand and follow all applicable local, state, and federal laws related to the management of noxious weeds, herbicide and pesticide application, endangered wildlife habitat, etc.
16. Assist supervisor with annual budget preparation and expense tracking for ROW management operations.
17. Submit grant applications to the Living Roadway Trust Fund and other funding opportunities.
18. Take advantage of professional development opportunities (e.g., Iowa Roadside Conference) to remain knowledgeable of current issues, trends, and management techniques.
19. Other duties as assigned.

1. Ability to operate and maintain the necessary tools and equipment.
2. Ability to identify native and introduced plant species, including noxious weeds.
3. Ability to organize and complete assigned work and tasks efficiently.
4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other county staff, the general public, and individuals from other government entities and organizations.
5. ‌Ability to use personal computers with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and web browsers.

6. Technical proficiency to make minor repairs on equipment and facilities that do not require a professional repair technician.
7. Ability to work a nonstandard work week, including nights and weekends, to accomplish the objectives of the position.
8. Ability to maintain accurate safety, work, and equipment maintenance records.

1. A bachelor’s degree in a natural resource-related field and a minimum of two years of professional experience in natural resource/vegetation management or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.

2. Knowledge of the tools and equipment required to perform the job.

1. ‌Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers to facilitate collaboration.
2. Ability to communicate with landowners and the general public in a tactful and courteous manner.

3. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

1. Ability to carry out written, verbal, or diagram instructions.
2. Ability to apply common sense to solve problems or achieve work objectives.

3. ‌Ability to solve problems involving several variables.

1. Valid Iowa Commercial Driver's License (within 60 days of hire date).

2. ‌Valid Iowa Pesticide Applicator Certification in Category 6 (right-of-way) and Category 1A (agriculture).

1. Ability to stand, walk, sit, operate hand tools, kneel, stoop, balance, and climb ladders and equipment. These activities may be required for two or more hours at a time during an 8–10 hour workday.
2. The employee must routinely lift 50-pound objects 40 inches high and carry them for 15 yards.

3. ‌The specific vision abilities required for this job include: close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

1. Ability to work around equipment with moving parts.
2. Ability to work outdoors in extremely hot, cold, rainy, snowy, and windy weather conditions.

3. ‌Exposure to dust, fumes, and loud noises.