Job Summary: This position will manage, operate, maintain and improve a variety of parks, trails and recreational facilities, programs and projects as defined in the Vilas County Outdoor Recreation Plan. (VCORP) and the Vilas County 15-year Comprehensive Forest Plan under direction of the Forest Administrator. The priority for this position will be establishment, management, operation, maintenance and improvement of recreational trails and countywide trail systems through direct operation and through operation and maintenance agreements with established alliances, groups, clubs and organizations. Additional duties will include proposing and establishing projects and programs to meet goals within the VCORP utilizing various State, Federal, and County resources to assist with funding and completion of the projects and programs. The position will also establish countywide educational programs including but not limited to Snowmobile Safety, ATV/UTV Safety, Boating Safety and Hunter Safety will also be the responsibility of this position.
Work duties are performed in all types of weather. The position will be responsible for supervision of projects, staffing and contracts as assigned. All other duties as assigned or as necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the department as determined by the Forest Administrator.
SECTION II: ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for the establishment and safe management, operation, maintenance and improvement of countywide recreational trails and trail systems including but not limited to snowmobile, ATV/UTV, hiking, biking, equestrian and water trails.
- Responsible for the planning, development, identification of funding sources and completion of grants to establish trails, facilities and improvements as recommended in the VCORP and as needed to support recreation programs, recreational trails and the Countywide trail system.
- Ability prepare contracts and agreements with outside agencies, groups, clubs and organizations as appropriate and required. Additional duties will include advertising for bids and administering contracts. This work will be in coordination with the Forest Administrator with approval of Corporation Counsel and Committee, as appropriate.
- Maintains and recommends changes to the Outdoor Recreation Plan and the Recreation portions of the 15-year management plan. Assists with approval process of changes in coordination with the Forest Administrator.
- Identifies and recommends changes to the recreation related County ordinances including but not limited to the Chapter 7- Traffic Code, Chapter 19- Parks and Recreation, and Chapter 26- ATV Ordinance. Assists with approval process of changes in coordination with the Forest Administrator.
- Provides oversight of trails and recreation projects. Responsible for the supervision of contractors, technicians, interns, and limited term employees as assigned.
- Works directly with alliances, groups, trail clubs and organizations in fulfillment of grant and maintenance agreements.
- Ensures timely and proper inspections of the trail systems and recreational facilities to insure public safety and public access in accordance with DNR guidelines and Vilas County policies. Provides proper notices of trail closures and opening dates in coordination with the Forest Administrator and as approved by the Forestry, Recreation and Land Committee.
- Conducts signing seminars at the County level to insure safety and uniformity of signing and maintenance of trails, parks, and landings within the County and coordinate these activities between adjacent counties when applicable.
- Coordinates with the Vilas County Mapping Department to develop GIS mapping records, and update records of trail and recreational facilities. Develops and maintains inventories of field equipment and trail positions. Work with clubs and organizations to secure land use agreements when necessary.
- Ability to meet qualifications and obtain certifications to become a certified DNR safety instructor for Snowmobile Safety, ATV/UTV Safety, Boating Safety and Hunter Safety. Willingness to provide safety training to a variety of age classes in a variety of places throughout Vilas County.
- Ability to safely operate various types of heavy and light equipment with proficiency and provide training to various employees on this equipment. This includes but is not limited to: trucks, pickups, tractor with commercial mowing attachments, UTV, snowmobile, brush chipper, and small hand tools such as chainsaws, brush saws, shovel, pickaxe, and weed eaters.
- Responsible for scheduling of maintenance and repairs of equipment used by the employee and employees under supervision.
- Serves on the Vilas County Trail Safety Committee, an ad hoc committee of the Vilas County Forestry, Recreation and Land Committee, to develop policies and procedures to enhance safe trails and provide communication between law enforcement, emergency services and recreational user groups. In coordination with the Forest Administrator provides reports and proposed actions from the Trail Safety Committee meeting for consideration and approval of the Forestry, Recreation and Land Committee.
- Works with local communities to develop and enhance multi-use recreational County trails and recreational facilities.
- Works to resolve conflicts between various user groups. Informs user groups to be aware of conflicts that may exist with various activities on the land.
- Provides information to the public pertaining to trails and recreational opportunities.
- Assists with program budgets to ensure trails and recreation needs are met.
- Assists with park and facilities projects, management and maintenance as assigned.
- All other duties as assigned or as necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the Forestry, Recreation and Land Department.
SECTION III: WORK REQUIREMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS:
A. Education/Knowledge:
Major Field of study or emphasis:
2 year college degree in Forest Recreation, Recreation and Parks administration or similar field or 3 years demonstrated experience in Trails, Parks and Recreation management
High School Diploma or Equivalent
B. Licensure/Certification:
Required Preferred An applicant’s driving record for the five (5) years prior to date of hire will be reviewed. A revocation, suspension, or the accumulation of six (6) or more demerit point in that period may be grounds for disqualification.
C. Required Work Experience:
In addition to Education
- Demonstrated experience working with grant processes
- Demonstrated experience working with government organizations and committees
- Demonstrated experience working with external groups and clubs
- Demonstrated ability to correctly utilize and operate GPS units of various types and ArcGIS mapping systems, experience with the Wisconsin Snowmobile Automated Reporting System (SNARS) Groomer Tracking system will be a plus.
SECTION IV: ESSENTIAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO PERFORM POSITION:
- Knowledge of Multiple Use Concepts in Public Land Management.
- Knowledge of and the ability to operate and maintain a variety of recreation equipment including but not limited to trucks, tractors, mowers, and a variety of power hand tools, snowmobiles.
- Ability to understand and follow specific processes for approval of projects and activities.
- Ability to learn process for completion of grants and project establishment.
- Ability to learn process to obtain trail funding through various agencies including the Wisconsin DNR and Federal Agencies.
- Ability to maintain accurate field inventories of equipment, signing and structure of fiscal and annual reporting.
- Ability to supervise others, including technicians, interns and seasonal personnel, as well as be able to work independently.
- Demonstrated knowledge of methods, practices, and equipment used in recreation management and administration.
- Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather.
- Demonstrated personal and professional integrity and ability to work well with others.
- Ability to objectively and effectively supervise and resolve complex problems when required.
- Considerable ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to organize and set own and subordinates’ work priorities.
- Ability to work independently, possess and utilize strategic planning skills, exercise judgment and effectively utilize authority.
- Knowledge and use of contemporary office equipment, including department-specific programs.
- Knowledge of and the ability to operate and maintain a variety of recreation and forestry management equipment including but not limited to trucks, tractors, mowers, snowmobiles and a variety of power hand tools.
- Knowledge and ability to utilize and interpret GPS data and process into ArcGIS systems for mapping.
- The ability to maintain equipment, signing and structures and documentation of activity for fiscal and annual reporting.
- Ability to supervise others, including seasonal park personnel, as well as be able to work independently.
- Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with forest and recreation users, departmental employees, clubs and organizations, other County Departments, the general public and elected officials.
- High level of record keeping ability.
SECTION V: PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works both indoor and outdoor in all weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and exposure to loud noises from operating equipment. The employee may occasionally work in high, precarious places, steep slopes and on ladders. The employee is occasionally exposed to extreme hot and cold as well as other types of inclement weather conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.
The employee is required to wear personal protective equipment under appropriate circumstances. The following physical abilities are required:
- Ability to work outside in all weather conditions including seasonally hot or cold temperatures and in climate weather.
- Ability to lift, carry, or shovel objects weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and carry objects weighing up to 100 pounds.
- Ability to perform physical labor requiring continual and repetitive use of large motor skills to stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, crawl, crouch, shovel, push, pull, twist, turn, stretch, reach, and continual and repetitive use of fine motor skills and manual dexterity.
- Ability to maintain balance, work safely on steep slopes, and work from ladders of various heights, not exceeding 10 feet.
- Ability to work around equipment that generates noise, vibration and heat.
- Ability to hear, see, taste, touch and smell. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and different shades of color.
SECTION VI: RESPONSBILITY FOR SUPERVISION OVER THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:
Titles of Positions Supervised:
# of Employees: Summer LTE’s, technicians and interns as assigned
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $59,800.00 - $76,897.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
