Job Overview

This position 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. Maintains trails and facilities, controlling invasive species, supporting prescribed fire operations, conducting habitat restoration, and assisting with environmental monitoring and public outreach. 

Ideal Candidate

The candidate will have 1 year of land management or landscaping experience, including experience treating invasive plants with chemicals, experience participating on prescribed burns as a line crew member, and experience operating farm tractors and gas-powered tools.  The individual would also be fluent in Word and Outlook, and applications such as Solocator, Avenza Maps and Teams. Google Earth, GIS and GPS knowledge, and ability to read and interpret aerial photography, would also be beneficial. General knowledge of and ability to identify native flora and fauna, and invasive exotic species also desirable. Finally, possession of a State of Florida Restricted Pesticide license, with a Natural Areas and/or Aquatic Category and completion of S130/S190 Basic Wildland Fire training course. 

Salary

Minimum: $34,320.00- $44,616.00/yearly

Core Competencies

• 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.

Job Distinctions

Performs entry-level routine fieldwork and maintenance duties under close supervision.  Assists with trail, facility, and preserve upkeep, exotic species control, habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and public outreach activities.  Supports prescribed burn operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Performs maintenance of existing and future access points, trails, and park sites across all ELAPP preserves.

• Conducts exotic and invasive plant control using herbicides and other approved methods.

• Assists with the removal of exotic, invasive, and nuisance animal species.

• Supports prescribed burn operations by preparing fire lanes and participating in burn activities.

• Assists with or conduct guided field trips and educational tours on various nature preserves.

• Participates in water quality monitoring and related environmental assessments.

• Assists with habitat restoration projects, including site preparation and planting of native vegetation.

• Maintains preserve infrastructure such as signs, restroom facilities, and parking areas to ensure safe and accessible public use.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Specifications

• General knowledge of native and invasive plant and animal species.

• Standard techniques for trail, facility, and preserve maintenance.

• Basic safety procedures for field work, including use of hand tools, herbicides, and personal protective equipment.

• Ability to perform physical, outdoor work under varying weather conditions.

• Basic skills in using hand tools, small equipment, and herbicide applications (with supervision).

• Ability to collect environmental data and assist with monitoring programs.

• Effective oral communication for interacting with the public and volunteers.

• Learn and apply proper land management and restoration techniques.

• Follow instructions and safety procedures.

• Work collaboratively as part of a field crew.

• Assist with educational programs and guided tours.

Physical Requirements

• Requires performing physical labor on consistent basis.
• Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions in a subtropical climate.
• Work involves being around flames and smoke.

Work Category

• Heavy work - Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds or force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED certificate; AND
• One year of field experience related to 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 maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License; 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.

Emergency Management Responsibilities

In the event of an emergency or disaster, an employee may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by the employee’s department, the County’s Office of Emergency Management, or County Administration. Such assignments may be for before, during or after the emergency/disaster.

Career Progression

Employees in this classification that acquire the competencies and minimum qualifications for the next tier will be able to apply for promotional opportunities through a competitive selection process. Employees will not automatically be upgraded to the next tier. Reclassifying a position is based on business need and financial impact and is not based solely on the job competencies or qualifications of the incumbent.

Additional Job Requirements

A department, depending on the nature of its mission and operations, may require that employees in all or certain positions in this job classification:

1. 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)

1. 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)