Environmental Lands Management Specialist (Tier 1)

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners • Ruskin, FL

3d

About The Position

Performs professional and technical duties to implement restoration projects on ELAPP and County lands.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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 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.
• Ability to walk, climb, run, stoop, bend, stand, push, pull, lift 40 lbs. and carry heavy items.
• Ability to work outdoors year-round in typical Florida conditions.
• Weekend and evening work may be required.
• Work involves being around flames and smoke.
• This position may be required to report for work, and work long hours, when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Hillsborough County.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED