Stormwater Inspection and Maintenance (SWIM) Technician I or II (Career Pathing)

Stormwater Inspection and Maintenance (SWIM) Technician I

JOB SUMMARY

Utilizes horticulture skills to perform vegetation management and stormwater control measure operation, and maintenance skills to perform general maintenance activities at Sewer District Green Infrastructure (GI) sites, stormwater project sites and along the Regional Stormwater System (RSS). Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Horticulture Site Maintenance at all District GI and Stormwater Project Sites

• Assists with tree and shrub horticulture activities, including assessment of trees and shrubs for overall health and function.
• Performs tree/vegetation staking and tying, weeding, pruning, trimming, watering, edging/mulching, mowing, and protective material placement to protect trees from wildlife, human activity, equipment and harsh weather conditions.
• Performs tree and vegetation remediation and replacement as necessary.
• Plants trees, shrubs, perennial plants and live stake plant material as necessary.
• Assists with invasive species management using pesticides and herbicides by following proper application procedures.
• Performs general landscape maintenance including, mowing, trimming, weeding and raking.

Green Infrastructure/Stormwater Site Management

• Assists in site management at green infrastructure and stormwater facilities by assessing sites for overall vegetation and stormwater management function, picking up trash, emptying trash receptacles at sites and removing sediment and/or woody debris impacting site function or RSS conveyance.
• Maintains site furnishings and hardscape areas through cleaning, sweeping and leaf blowing.
• Assists with in-house GI and stormwater maintenance projects as needed.
• Organizes and maintains field equipment.

Work Order and Asset Management Assistance for GI and Stormwater Project Sites

• Assists with conducting dry and wet weather field inspections, field maintenance projects utilizing field equipment and completing field inspection forms.
• Assists with preparing, finalizing and organizing field inspection and field maintenance work orders and project inspection photos using asset management software.
• Utilizes geographic information system (GIS) and asset management applications to conduct data entry which includes asset inventory, field notes and timekeeping.

Internal and External Coordination

• Attends Watershed Programs Department and other general office meetings.
• Maintains good public relations and professionalism in interactions with internal and external stakeholders and customers.
• Undergoes safety training and other Sewer District training as required.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

Stormwater Inspection and Maintenance (SWIM) Technician II

JOB SUMMARY

Utilizes horticulture and arboriculture skills to perform vegetation management and stormwater control measure operation, and maintenance skills to perform both site and general maintenance activities at Sewer District Green Infrastructure (GI) sites, stormwater project sites and along the Regional Stormwater System (RSS). Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Horticulture & Arboriculture Site Management at all Sewer District GI and Stormwater Project Sites

• Performs arboriculture activities, including assessment of trees and shrubs for overall health and function.
• Performs tree/vegetation staking and tying, weeding, pruning, trimming, watering, edging / mulching, mowing and protective material placement to protect trees from wildlife, human activity, equipment and harsh weather conditions.
• Performs tree and vegetation remediation and replacement as necessary.
• Plants trees, shrubs and perennial plants as necessary.
• Harvests, prepares, stores and installs live stake material for streambank stabilization.
• Recommends treatments and performs invasive species management using pesticides and herbicides by following proper application procedures and best horticulture practices.
• Recommends best management practices and additional equipment necessary to improve plant health and function.
• Performs general landscape maintenance including, mowing, trimming, weeding and raking.

Green Infrastructure/Stormwater Site Management

• Plans and performs site management activities at green infrastructure and stormwater facilities by assessing sites for overall vegetation and stormwater management function, removing trash, emptying trash receptacles at sites and removing sediment and/or woody debris impacting site function or impacting RSS conveyance.
• Maintains site furnishings and hardscape areas through cleaning, sweeping, leaf blowing and minor repairs as necessary.
• Recommends best management practices and additional equipment necessary to improve horticulture, arboriculture and general site maintenance efficiency and quality.
• Organizes and maintains field equipment.

Work Order and Asset Management Assistance for GI and Stormwater Project Sites

• Conducts dry and wet weather field inspections, field maintenance projects utilizing field equipment and completion of tablet-based field inspection forms.
• Assists with preparing, finalizing and organizing field inspection and field maintenance close out forms and project inspection photos using asset management software.
• Assists with contract scope and specification development as well as oversight of contractor work.
• Assists with development of vegetation enhancement and improvement plans for GI and Stormwater Project sites.
• Utilizes geographic information system (GIS) and asset management applications to conduct data entry which includes asset inventory, field notes and timekeeping.

Internal and External Coordination

• Attends Watershed Programs Department and other general office meetings.
• Maintains good public relations and professionalism in interactions with internal and external stakeholders and customers.
• Educates internal and external stakeholders and customers on the function of the green infrastructure sites.
• Provides field education and training to internal stakeholders on proper plant installation and maintenance.
• Undergoes safety training and other Sewer District training as required.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

Candidate must possess a high school diploma, GED or state recognized equivalent.

EXPERIENCE

• No prior experience required.
• One (1) year of horticultural, landscaping and/or stormwater control measure operation and maintenance knowledge of methods, materials and tools to perform general maintenance work preferred.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Candidate must possess a valid drivers license with a driving record in accordance with the Sewer District's acceptable guidelines.
• Candidate must obtain National Green Infrastructure Program Certification and/or Inspection & Maintenance Certification for Stormwater Control Measures in Ohio within one (1) year of being hired.
• Candidate must obtain knowledge of herbicide safety, use, and application or gain knowledge within one (1) year of being hired.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Candidate must possess knowledge in broad range of horticulture skills such as tree pruning, basic tree and plant health assessment, tree and shrub staking and tree trunk protection, plant thinning methods.
• Candidate must possess knowledge in the use of basic hand tools and other field equipment such as lawn mowers, chain saws and power edgers.
• Candidate must possess effective written and verbal communication, organizational skills and decision-making abilities.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

During the course of performing the essential functions of this position, the employee must be able to analyze, communicate, comprehend, coordinate, possess general intelligence, interact, interpret, organize, problem solve, have resilience and perform tasks. Physical work will need to be performed, such as balancing, bending, climbing, crawling, crouching, driving, feeling, operating heavy equipment, kneeling/squatting, reaching, sitting, standing, talking, typing and walking. Repetitive movements will need to be performed such as simple grasping, power grasping and fine manipulation with both hands. Ability to push, pull and lift from floor to waist, waist to shoulder or floor to shoulder up to 60 lbs. on an occasional basis may be necessary. Position will require visual demand of depth perception. Ability to withstand extremely loud noise exposure for fifteen minutes or longer on an intermittent basis is required. Exposure to environmental conditions such as respiratory hazards, outdoor work, vibrations, wet/humid conditions, work around large machinery, work at heights and work inside confined spaces is encountered in this position.