Natural Scientist

Pay Range: $28.84/hr - $37.49/hr ($59,984 - $77,979)

Job Posting Closing on: Friday, June 13, 2025

Workdays & Hours: The selected candidate will work 40 hours to include some weekends, holidays, and evening hours

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.

A Natural Scientist job is available with the Park & Recreation Department. The Parks & Recreation Department maintains approximately 320 parks, open space, and public spaces citywide as well as provides recreational activities and educational programming that makes Fort Worth a great place to live, work and play.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in natural or physical science, including biology, geology, botany, range management, environmental science, forestry, or a related field.
• Three years of experience working in a natural science field providing group instruction and/or developing and implementing natural resource management plans.
• Valid driver's license.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain a Pesticide Applicator's License within twelve (6) months of employment.
• Ability to identify native flora and fauna of the Cross Timbers and Prairies Ecoregion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in performing tasks pertinent to maintaining and constructing trails and facilities.
• First Aid and CPR certification within six (6) months of hire and maintain certification during the length of employment.
• Grant writing
• Contract management (natural resource activities)
• Concepts and application of natural history interpretation (signage, presenting, training)

The Natural Scientist job responsibilities include:

• Plan & implement natural resource surveys such as vegetation and fire effects, stream health assessments, and wildlife monitoring.
• Plan & implement natural resource management activities such as herbicide application, invasive species removal, tree felling, brush clearing, native vegetation management planning and implementation.
• Operate various types of equipment including mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, pole saws, power tools, trailers, tractors, skid steer, UTVs, welders, and other equipment as needed.
• Clean and maintain tools, vehicles, trailers, and equipment; complete and assist in strenuous repair, installation, or construction activities.
• Develop and advise on land management policies.
• Collaborate on resource projects with departmental staff, volunteers, and Friends groups. Make presentations to associated groups and agencies.
• Organize and implement public outreach events and programs.
• Recruit, train, and retain volunteers to assist as land stewards at designated parks, coordinate and manage large volunteer groups.
• Maintain data and submit weekly/monthly/annual reports. Provide written information/articles for newsletters and websites.
• Use programs/systems such as GIS, ArcGIS Field Maps, ArcGIS Survey123, GPS, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and VueWorks for data analysis and reporting.
• Adhere to the assigned work schedule as outlined in the Department and City attendance policies and procedures; ensures all behaviors comply with the City's Personnel Rules and Regulations.

Apply Now! Come be part of something special in Fort Worth.

Conditions of Employment

The City of Fort Worth is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is the policy and practice of the City to recruit, hire, train and promote a diverse workforce without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or another non-merit factor.

The City of Fort Worth is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.

Candidates who do not meet the Education requirement, may be considered if they have more relevant work experience than the position requires. Those selected for employment will be required to pass Pre-Employment checks depending on the position requirements. Those could include, but are not limited to: criminal background check, drug screen, education verification, etc. criminal convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Employees are paid by direct deposit only.