Environmental Lands Management Specialist (Tier 1) (Lower Green Swamp)

Hillsborough County • Plant City, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This field supervisor role on the County’s northeast regional land management team provides a wide range of land management and restoration activities in support of the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP). This position is responsible for maintaining and improving the ecological health, public access, and long-term sustainability of natural preserves and conservation lands. The position involves working in the field daily and supervising a crew to ensure various land management tasks are completed, with heavy focus on invasive plant removal and prescribed fire. The ideal candidate for this position will be a strong land management-oriented leader with experience supervising a team, using herbicide to control invasive plants, participating in prescribed fires, and working with heavy equipment and power tools. They will be willing to work in the field daily, supporting their team and performing various land management tasks, especially invasive plant removal and prescribed fire.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED certificate
• Four years of experience in environmental lands management
• Ability to obtain within 6 months of employment valid Restricted Use Pesticide License-Natural Areas Category, and maintain throughout employment
• Must pass basic firefighting training courses (S130, S190, L180) within 6 months of employment
• 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
• 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.
• Maintain the ability to pass the background checks required for the position. These background checks may include but are not limited to: Criminal History Background Check using Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Level 1 and Level 2 Background screening (Ch. 435 Florida Statutes) Child Abuse, Abandonment and Neglect Record Check using the State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) Sex Offender and Sexual Predator record check using the list maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
• Possess the necessary job-related license(s) or certification(s) that may include possession of a Florida Driver License (Class E) or an applicable Commercial Driver License (CDL)

Nice To Haves

• Experience supervising a team
• Experience using herbicide to control invasive plants
• Experience participating in prescribed fires
• Experience working with heavy equipment and power tools
• Strong land management-oriented leadership skills

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.

Benefits

• Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of the customers and provide the highest standards of service.
• Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.
• Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations.
• Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

What This Job Offers

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