Salary : $40,788.80 - $65,270.40 Annually Location : Baton Rouge, LA Job Type: Full Time Non-Exempt Job Number: CS2025 Department: Special Facility Opening Date: 01/03/2025 Closing Date: 1/17/2025 5:00 PM Central FLSA: Non-Exempt General Summary The Conservation Specialist is responsible for supporting care and use of BREC satellite conservation areas (SCA). This individual will work to aid in the research, management, and maintenance of SCAs. This work includes assisting in preparing reports, studies, field species inventories, interpreting (both oral and written), programming, working with volunteers, outreach, and ecological restoration and maintenance functions including eradication of exotic species. This individual will work closely with volunteer groups and the BREC Naturalist. This individual must be able to work successfully and interact with other BREC staff, contractors, and volunteers while working to improve the natural resources and the opportunities the public has to utilize those resources. Requirements and Job Specifications Education Required: Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental sciences, biological sciences, natural resource management, earth sciences, or a related field. Certification(s) Required: N/A License(s) Required: Valid LA driver's license. Years of Relevant Work Experience: Entry level position Other Job Specifications: Broad-based knowledge of natural sciences including botany, horticulture, geology, hydrology, and wetland functions, wildlife management, environmental ecology and invasive species control. Strong interpersonal and communications skills to communicate well with the public Strong writing skills and experience assimilating data into written reports and developing written interpretive materials. Experience interpreting information to public and leading tours and hikes. Comfortable in outdoor environments and working in difficult conditions. Knowledge of different habitat types and ecological principals. Functions and Duties Essential Functions and Duties: Assist in the development of interpretive materials and programs that facilitate the use of BREC Conservation areas. Contributes to the care and maintenance of Satellite Conservation Areas. Works in conjunction with park operations staff to help maintain conservation sites, nature trails and fishing ponds. Supervise activities of part-time staff and volunteers. Walks conservation area perimeters to insure site integrity. Ability to research and prepare information necessary for interpretive signage. Monitors natural systems and organizes data. Administrative office duties including filing, data management and organization. Secondary Job Duties: Assists with other conservation and outdoor recreation special events and activities. Other duties as assigned. Supplemental Information As assigned, within general framework of 5 days per week - within Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day with occasional overtime. Hours are generally between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Volunteer efforts and conservation programs will often occur on the weekends and approximately one weekend a month will be needed for these efforts. During summer, day camps will require additional hours. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. If you do not complete each section of this application (i.e. work experience, education, or etc.) to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy. An offer of employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment criminal background check, Motor Vehicle Records check, drug screen, and physical. Please download and complete the HireRight Disclosure and Authorization form within the next three days, or by the closing date of the posting, whichever is sooner, You may return the form by email to listing the position title as the "subject", by fax to (225) 273-6412, or by hand delivery to the BREC HR Office at 6201 Florida Blvd. 2024 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS HEALTH INSURANCE : Comprehensive medical benefits including HMO, PPO, and Blue Saver (Qualified High Deductible High Savings Account) and options are provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. Coverage is effective the first of the month, following two months of employment, a (2 month waiting period). Employee cost per month for HMO: $175.43 - employee only; $597.45 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $962.52 - family. Employee cost per month for PPO: $375.23 - employee only; $975.50 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent 162.68.57 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $290.49 - family. BREC also offers voluntary insurance plans: Dental, Vision, and Supplemental Insurance (Accident, Cancer/Critical Care, Long and Short-term Disability, Term and Whole Life). LIFE INSURANCE : All full-time employees are insured under a Group Term-Life Insurance policy through Equitable Life Insurance Company a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. Coverage is subject to decrease at age 65 and 70. There is no cost to the employee except for salaries more than $50,000 which are subject to the imputed income clause under the IRS regulations. Coverage is effective immediately. RETIREMENT SYSTEM : BREC contributions to the City-Parish Employees' Retirement System for each employee amount to 40.32% of salary. Employees contribute at the rate of 9.5%. Retirement contributions are tax deferred. Personal contributions are kept on account and refunded if employees leave BREC before their retirement. Additional benefit opportunities are available after 25 years through the DROP program. BREC also offers a Supplemental Retirement DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN through payroll deduction. HOLIDAYS : BREC employees receive twelve (12) paid holidays per year. SICK LEAVE : BREC employees accumulate sick leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increase based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 30 days of continuous employment. ANNUAL LEAVE : BREC employees earn annual leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increased based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 90 days of continuous employment. FULL-TIME STATUS : Upon completion of a six-month probationary periods and approval of supervisor, full-time status will be achieved. EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS : BREC full-time employees can take advantage of a generous discount. Some restrictions may apply. See the discount policy for more details. EAP : BREC's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered by Hidalgo Health Associates. They EAP helps employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems. CREDIT UNION : BREC employees are eligible to join the City Federal Credit Union and/or Pelican State Credit Union and enlist in payroll deduction plan. Direct deposit to the Credit Union is also available. FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS : BREC is a qualifying employer for public service loan forgiveness. Employees who have Federal Direct Loans and have made 120 payments on the Federal Direct Loans (after October 1, 2007) may be eligible for the remaining loan balance to be forgiven. LA START : This 529 Qualified Tuition savings plan may be open on behalf of a named Beneficiary by anyone, including legal entities, provided that the Account Owner or the Beneficiary is a resident of Louisiana. Account Owners may save at their own pace, in amounts they can afford. FSA : BREC offers an FSA that allows employees to contribute a portion of their regular earnings before taxes. Distributions from the account must be used to reimburse the employee for qualified expenses related to medical and dental services. SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS : BREC offers voluntary benefits through AFLAC or Colonial Life. Those benefits include accident insurance, critical care, life, LTD and STD. BREC reserves the right to at any time and from time to time to modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the benefit package. Commissioned Approved Benefits Effective January 1, 2024 01 Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license? Yes No 02 Have your graduated from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree? Yes No 03 Do you possess broad-based knowledge of natural sciences including botany, horticulture, geology, hydrology, and wetland functions, wildlife management, environmental ecology, and invasive species control? Please explain below. 04 What experience do you have interpreting information to the public and leading tours and hikes? Required Question
