Conservationist I (Energy), California Conservation Corps
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: BZ99
Class Code: 9557
Established: 04/18/1995
Revised: 07/02/2014
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under direction, incumbents perform technical duties involving operations associated with energy conservation; more specifically, environmental energy saving principles, alternative energy measures, and energy audits which include supervising and working with a crew of corpsmembers involved in a range of routine to the most difficult daily work projects. Incumbents also perform administrative functions involving the recruitment, supervision, counseling, discipline, training, and education of corpsmembers.
Typical Tasks
Under direction, incumbents provide the technical expertise to oversee work projects which include: energy and water use audits; weatherization; installation of energy efficient lighting and controls; installation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controls and preventive maintenance measures; installation of other energy and water conservation measures; installation of solar water heating and photovoltaic systems; earthquake proof fixtures in public buildings and prisons; affordable housing rehabilitation, including rough and finish carpentry, electrical wiring, plumbing, drywall, and painting. Incumbents may meet with sponsors to discuss scope and status of projects; and may confer with an Energy Resource Specialist to identify project materials and cost estimates for projects.
Incumbents assist new corpsmembers to adjust to and understand center life; teach technical elements of electricity, plumbing, and other crafts needed to perform the work; teach basic hand tool and equipment care and usage specific to energy project work; direct and counsel corpsmembers; facilitate work/learn activities into daily work projects; ensure corpsmembers are aware of and abide by special rules while working inside prison facilities or inside school facilities; prepare reports; responsible for the care, maintenance, and security of assigned property; responsible for discipline, safety, and work habits of corpsmembers; conduct and document investigations of corpsmember discipline; perform substance abuse interventions; track corpsmember participation in programs of recovery from substance abuse; safely move and direct corpsmember crews on disaster relief operations such as wildland fires and floods; assist in instructing corpsmembers in the protection and conservation and restoration of natural resources, facilities maintenance, landscaping, restoration of historic monuments/buildings, and preventive vehicle maintenance; assist in the development of corpsmembers; may supervise satellite programs, spikes, and internships; may be responsible for the recruitment of corpsmembers; may occasionally meet with community-based organizations; and coordinate publicity with local media. Incumbents may supervise an entire center on evenings and weekends.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid commercial driver license, Class B, with a Passenger Transport Vehicle special endorsement. (Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination, but must secure and provide evidence of a Class B license with a Passenger Transport Vehicle special endorsement prior to appointment.)
and
Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.
and
Either I
Experience: One year of experience in the California state civil service performing the duties of a Conservationist I, Range A, supervising corpsmember energy crews and performing technical duties involving energy conservation.
Or II
Experience: Twelve months' experience as a corpsmember, which must include six months as an Energy Specialist, California Conservation Corps, and an additional six months as a Crewleader or Crewleader II.
Or III
Experience: Two years of experience as a skilled crafts person on a crew involved in electrical or plumbing work or involved in crafts/trades work (carpentry, masonry, general building, landscape installation and maintenance, or comparable skilled work), one year of which must include organizing, instructing, supervising, and evaluating six or more people. Such experience must include direct responsibility for the discipline, direction, and welfare of the persons involved.
Or IV
Experience: One year of experience as a licensed electrical or plumbing contractor, including at least six months as a supervisor of a craft/trades crew.
Or V
Experience: Two years of experience organizing, instructing, supervising, and evaluating six or more people, ages 16-25, in an organization which required specific accomplishments or completion of specific tasks. Such experience must include direct responsibility for discipline, direction, and welfare of the persons involved. Qualifying experience can be gained through work in the following types of businesses/activities: labor crews in the public or private sector; organized outdoor adventure programs; service- oriented organizations employing young adults (fast food chains or park and recreation facilities); seasonal labor; or educational programs. This work experience must include or be supplemented by 12 months' experience performing technical duties involving energy conservation.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Basic principles of energy and water conservation; energy and water conservation methods and techniques; construction- related codes and requirements, including the Uniform Building Code, the Uniform Electrical Code, the Uniform Plumbing Code, and Title 24 energy conservation regulations; basic principles of safety and fall protection, first aid and CPR, personnel supervision, organization of work activity, methods of group instruction and training, techniques used in teaching and counseling youth, and problem solving; recreational and social activities appropriate for youth from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds; effective communication skills; youth leadership development.
Ability to: Work independently; explain and demonstrate safe work methods and practices; demonstrate skill in teaching young adults, including communication skills, and in motivating and inspiring them to establish and achieve personal goals; effectively organize and direct a technical work crew; establish and maintain effective working relationships with governmental agencies, private sector organizations, and with corpsmembers; keep records and prepare reports; analyze situations and take effective action; deal effectively with constructive criticism; conduct inspections of technical housing rehabilitation, and energy and water conservation work projects; work at heights and on ladders; read and understand blue prints; communicate effectively; recognize alcohol and drug issues and counsel young adults at risk, including substance abuse prevention; supervise and coordinate volunteers, internship programs, and/or satellite operations; effectively balance the goals of corpsmember training and development with reimbursable project development and completion.
Special Personal Characteristics
Willingness to work for extended periods occasionally in primitive facilities, and sometimes isolated from communities; willingness to work odd and irregular hours; willingness to travel statewide; demonstrated aptitude for, and willingness to teach and work with young people in regard to their personal and social development; willingness to do manual labor including landscaping, gardening, trail construction, emergency response work, carpentry, and other physically demanding activities; willingness to work inside a prison facility; willingness to set an example for young people through attitude, ability, knowledge, attention to detail, and pride of work.
Additional Desirable Qualifications
Knowledge of principles of and developing trends regarding energy conservation; principles of home and commercial building construction; methods of group work; gang awareness; teaching and counseling techniques; familiarity with education programs; basic guidelines and standards for conducting effective group meetings; substance abuse intervention techniques; and basic plant and wildlife ecology.
