Environmental Specialist II

Department:
Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Do you have a love for Florida's natural areas and enjoy working outdoors with a motivated and dedicated team? The Natural Areas and Trails division of PRNR is currently recruiting for an Environmental Specialist II who can support land managers with assistance in the development, implementation, and coordination of land management projects and activities, including exotic plant treatment and prescribed fire.

In this role, you will also monitor habitat conditions and assist with the coordination of maintenance for public use infrastructure. We are looking for a self-motivated, organized person with good communication skills. Apply today and know that your role benefits both the environment and Sarasota County overall.
About the Position

In this role you will...

• Participate in coordinating activities necessary to properly manage County owned natural lands and support public use.
• Document, monitor and treat exotic plant occurrences on natural area lands.
• Develop contract specifications and perform contractor oversight for land management activities.
• Assist in collection, analysis and evaluation of land management activities and projects.
• Conduct report and document preparation (management plans, interoffice reports, grant reports).
• Work with Emergency Services on prescribed burns.
• Provide site maintenance and upkeep of trails, preserve amenities and signage.
• Develop and conduct environmental/educational programs.
• Ensure equipment maintenance and upkeep.

Work Hours:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.
• Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• On rare occurrence, days and hours can vary based on prescribed fires including extending days beyond 8 hours.

About You


Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological or physical sciences or related field and two (2) years of professional experience.
• -OR
  - Master's degree may substitute for one year of professional experience.
• -OR
  - Professional responsible professional experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree.
• Ability to pass moderate or arduous pack test within one (1) year of employment and to pass on an annual basis.
• Ability to obtain FACS pesticide applicator license within ten (10) months of employment. (We can help with this!)
• Valid Florida Driver's License by date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in land management activities such as prescribed burning, exotic control, habitat maintenance, and restoration.
• Herbicide applicator's license.
• Basic Fire Training S130, S190, L180, ICS 100 and ICS 200.
• Certified NATA Natural Areas Manager.

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: Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.


About Everything Else


Starting Pay: $56,139.20

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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-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,…