Environmental Lands Management Specialist (Tier 1) - Prescribed Fire Assistant Crew Lead

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners•Plant City, FL

4h•Onsite

About The Position

This role supports Hillsborough County's Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Prescribed Fire Program by assisting in all wildland fire activities across properties acquired through ELAPP and other lands managed by HC-CELM. Working alongside the Prescribed Fire Crew Lead, this position provides direct leadership, supervision, and mentoring to the fire management crew with a primary focus on executing prescribed burns and fuel treatments.

Requirements

Knowledge of preserve locations, trails, and access points.
Knowledge of safe and proficient operation of tractors and similar heavy equipment.
Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of others.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to follow safety procedures and technical directions.
High degree of adaptability and problem-solving ability.
Ability to safely operate power tools such as power saws, trimmers, mowers, etc.
Ability to obtain and maintain Restricted Use Pesticide License/Natural Areas category.
Ability to attend prescribed fire training, become a Florida Certified Prescribed Burner, lead burns, and maintain certification
Good interpersonal relations skills with public and co-workers
Other skills and abilities related to land management.
Graduation from high school or possession of a GED certificate; AND Four years of experience in environmental lands management; OR An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND Must obtain within 6 months of employment valid Restricted Use Pesticide License-Natural Areas Category, and maintain throughout employment; AND Must pass basic firefighting training courses (S130, S190, L180) within 6 months of employment; AND Must obtain Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager certification within 1 year of employment, as directed, and lead prescribed burns.
Possession of a valid Florida Class “B” Commercial Driver’s License with tanker endorsement may be required within 6 months of employment and maintained throughout employment; OR Possession of a valid Florida Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License with tanker endorsement may be required within 6 months of employment and maintained throughout employment.

Responsibilities

Plans, coordinates, and implements site management plans, including trail development, monitoring, restoration projects, invasive plant and prescribed burning activities.
Schedules maintenance of access points, parking areas, kiosks, recreational trails, fire lanes, and park sites and assist as necessary
Assists Project Managers with projects on preserved lands.
Conducts pre- and post-treatment inspections for type and amount of invasive plants and effectiveness of control activities along with planning and scheduling of future control activities.
Monitors natural communities for management needs and effects of management activities.
Prepares prescribed burn units and participate on or lead prescribed burns, as directed.
Operates tractors, backhoes and other heavy machinery
Fastens and transport loads such as heavy equipment, UTV’s, mowers, etc. using trucks and trailers
Conducts mitigation monitoring including writing reports to government agencies to ensure compliance.
Leads prescribed burns and herbicide applications.
Maintains inventory and orders supplies.
Conducts preventative maintenance on tractors, UTV’s, mowers, power tools, and other equipment.
Maintains grounds, trails and fire lanes through mowing, disking, trimming, etc.
Trims limbs and brush using hand tools and power saws.
Opens and closes gates, as needed, for public access.
Conducts regular site security inspections.
Posts property boundaries and entrances with appropriate signage.
Performs guided field trips and volunteer events.
Assists with exotic/ invasive/ nuisance animal removal.
Assists with water quality monitoring.
Attends job skill training and applies new skills, as needed.
Documents daily activities in preserves, including plant & animal sightings.
May provide guidance and training, and review the work of others to ensure accuracy, completion, and timeliness; may supervise lower-level staff.
Performs other duties as related to land management.