Land Management Support Specialist

Department:

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Are you passionate about protecting the environment and knowledgeable about Florida’s native ecosystems and natural areas? Our Natural Areas and Trails Department is seeking a motivated, tech-savvy, and environmentally focused Land Manager to join our team.

In this position, you will split your time between Wildland Fire Operations and Neighborhood Natural Areas. Responsibilities include implementing resource management operations, monitoring ecological conditions, developing and overseeing contracts, and assisting with the coordination and training of staff responsible for managing County-owned natural area lands.

The pay starts between $53,456.00 - $56,000.00/ annually, based upon experience, and benefits begin within 60 days of hire. Apply today and see how your role impacts the community for generations to come!

About the Position

Wildland Fire Operations: 

• Assist County Fire Mitigation and ESIII with implementing prescribed fire operations on natural area lands

• Operate and assist in maintaining vehicles and equipment utilized in prescribed fire operations

• Prepare bid specifications in addition to contractor oversight for projects to be performed by outside contractors associated with fire mitigation and prescribed fire preparation vegetation management and IPM related projects 

• Gain full understanding of fire management processes and levels of coordination among all staff involved to include Site manager, fire mitigation, burn crew, management team

• Develop detailed understanding of all sites managed with fire to include knowledge of all trails, management zones, and boundaries

Neighborhood Natural Areas:

• Conduct monitoring, documentation and treatment of invasive plant occurrences. Maintain Florida pesticide applicators license
• Complete assigned resource management plans sections for sites and IPM priority plan
• Review sites for follow up treatment needed, in-house or contractual
• Coordinate with other divisions within PRNR to ensure completion of projects and plans
• Operation and maintenance of integrated pest management equipment and knowledge of techniques and effective processes
• Collection, analysis and evaluation of land management projects/ data including GPS/GIS information, evaluate effectiveness of land management and monitoring strategies for their restoration and maintenance  
• Participate in public outreach and develop material for public education on ecological burning and integrated pest management

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological or physical sciences or a related field AND Two (2) years of professional experience

• -OR- Masters degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological or physical sciences or a related field AND One (1) year of professional experience

• -OR- Progressively responsible professional experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree

• Must pass the Moderate or Arduous Pack Test within one (1) year at the time of hire (this also must be maintained on an annual basis to remain in the job classification)

• Must be NWCG Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualified at the time of hire.

• Valid Florida Driver's License at the time of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of the following: Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290), Wildland Fire Chainsaw (S-212), ICS 100-300 and NIMS 700 & 800

• Certified NATA Natural Areas Manager

• Willing to obtain FDACS Pesticide applicator license

• Knowledge of Florida native ecosystems and natural areas management

• Ability to operate 4 x 4 vehicle operations in back country rough conditions, ATV, UTV, brush truck operation

• Expereince with small engine operation and maintenance to include chainsaw, polesaw, pumps/sprayers, mowers and weed eaters

Subject to Passing Substance Screening:  This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.  An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five (5) years.

Physical Demands: This role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay Range: $53,456.00 - $56,000.00/ annually, based upon experience

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.