Natural Resource Specialist

Salary: $16.82 - $26.91 Hourly
Location : 6201 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA
Job Type: Full Time Non-Exempt
Job Number: NRSFT2026
Department: Planning and Engineering
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 5:00 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt


General Summary


The Natural Resource Specialist performs professional work within the Natural Resource Division including daily maintenance of primitive hiking trails and green infrastructure. Responsible for assisting in the planting of new green infrastructure amenities and building of trail structures in coordination with park goals. Overseeing contract workers, volunteers and coordinating with other departments within BREC and external partners.

Requirements and Job Specifications
Education Required: Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university.

Area of Study (major) Required: Natural Resources, Conservation Biology, Forestry, Environmental Science, Wildlife Management, Botany or closely related field

Certification(s) Required: First Aid and CPR/AED Certification within 30 days of hire
Preferred: Sustainable Trails Certification. Nationally Recognized Sawyer Training Certified.

License(s) Required: Valid LA Driver's License

Years of Relevant Work Experience: 1 year of related volunteer, internship, or work experience Combination of experience and/or education may be substituted.

Other Job Specifications:
Knowledge of South Louisiana ecosystems.
• Knowledge of care and cultivation of trees and shrubs and general gardening.
• Knowledge of sustainable trail design and maintenance.
• Knowledge of design and maintenance of green infrastructure such as rain garden, bioswales, and pollinator gardens.
• Knowledge of methods of trimming and felling trees including the necessary skills to use tools and equipment for pruning, maintenance, and removal of limbs and/or trees.
• Knowledge of GIS including data collection.
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to navigate using a map, compass and/or GPS.
• Ability to use proper tools and equipment to create and maintain trails and garden beds including but not limited to chainsaws, , weed eaters, brushcutters, etc.
• Ability to learn and conduct vegetation surveys.
• Ability to follow all BREC policies, operations, and programs.
• Ability to supervise and direct volunteers and develop a positive, productive working relationship is required.
• Ability to carry out instructions and see a project from start to completion effectively is required.
• Ability to communicate problems to direct supervisor.
• Ability to operate a BREC Vehicle and off-road vehicle to perform essential functions of the job.
• Ability to adjust to changing work demands, procedures, technology and or priorities.
• Ability to work in outdoor conditions which may include a variety of terrain and weather conditions such as extreme heat, rain, cold and nuisance of insects.
• Ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with supervisor, volunteers, coworkers, employees, and general public.
• Understanding of herbicide use and application including laws licenses and safety protocols.
• Must have a positive attitude with the willingness and desire to learn new skills.
Functions and Duties
Essential Functions and Duties:
• Applies knowledge of sustainable trail design to assist in carrying out trail projects.
• Performs necessary field work to create new trails and maintain existing trails in the system.
• Lead projects which utilize volunteers to carry out necessary work.
• Ensures primitive hiking trails stay usable during a majority of the year in a variety of conditions and following major storms.
• Collect GIS data in the field as instructed.
• Fell and clear trees impeding trail use as needed with chainsaws and other power tools.
• Assist in the construction and installation of trail features and amenities including but not limited to bridges, boardwalks, kiosks, and signage.
• Assists in conducting vegetation surveys and data collection to assess habitat types, health, biodiversity and unique features.
• Application of herbicide as needed for invasive species control and trail safety and maintenance.
• Responsible for maintenance and care of tools and equipment under the direction of the Natural Resource Manager and Natural Resources Foreman.

Secondary Job Duties:

• Assists other Natural Resource Management staff as needed.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.

Supplemental Information


Full-time position; schedule may vary within framework of 8 hours per day, 5 days per week; lunch break daily; Some evening and weekend hours as necessary; overtime as required.
2026 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
HEALTH INSURANCE : BREC provides comprehensive medical coverage through Louisiana Blue formerly BCBSLA , including HMO, PPO, and Blue Saver (Qualified High-Deductible Health Savings Account) options. Coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month following a two-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 children; $1,492.70 - family. Employee cost per month for Blue Saver: $39.08 - employee only; $162.68 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $290.49 - family. In addition to medical coverage, BREC offers voluntary insurance options, including Dental and Vision.
LIFE INSURANCE : All full-time employees are insured under a Group Term Life Insurance policy provided by Lincoln Financial . Coverage is subject to reduction at ages 65 and 70. There is no cost to the employee; however, coverage associated with salaries exceeding $50,000 is subject to imputed income in accordance with IRS regulations. Coverage is effective immediately upon eligibility.

RETIREMENT SYSTEM: BREC contributes 38.22% of each employee's salary to the City-Parish Employees' Retirement System. Employees contribute 9.5% of salary. All retirement contributions are tax-deferred. Employee contributions are maintained in individual accounts and are refunded if an employee leaves BREC prior to retirement eligibility. After 25 years of service, employees may be eligible for additional benefits through the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). BREC also offers a Supplemental Retirement Deferred Compensation Plan through Nationwide Retirement Solutions, available through convenient payroll deductions.
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 Lucet. 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, hospital indemnity, 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, 2026*
01


Have you ever volunteered for BREC? Yes or No. If so, in what capacity and what location?
02


Select the option that describes your highest level of education.

• High School Diploma/GED Certificate
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Vocational Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctor of Philosophy

03


Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you possess an active CPR/First Aid certification

• Yes
• No
• Yes, I am also AED certified

05


Do you have a at least one (1) year of work experience, including as a volunteer and/or intern, working in green infrastructure and hiking/nature trail construction and maintenance

• Yes
• No
• No, but I have combined education and practical experience which meets the minimum requirement

Required Question