Environmental Lands Management Technician (Tier 2)

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.

Salary

Minimum: $36,732.80- $47,752.64/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.

Tier 2

Job Distinctions

Provides advanced land management and restoration tasks with limited supervision. Plans and leads projects, including prescribed burns, invasive species control, and habitat restoration.

May provide supervision and guidance to staff and volunteers, ensure safety and compliance, and supports public outreach.

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.

• Plans, schedules, and perform maintenance of existing and future access points, fire lanes, trails, and park sites across all ELAPP preserves.

• Conducts routine maintenance of multi-use trails, including those designated for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and canoeing.

• Installs, removes, repairs, and maintains preserve infrastructure such as fences, gates, and locks.

• Plans, coordinates, and implement exotic and invasive plant control programs using appropriate mechanical and chemical methods.

• Develop prescribed burn plans and assist in prescribed fire operations, including preparation and maintenance of fire lanes.

• Participates in water quality monitoring and related environmental data collection efforts.

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

• Lead guided field trips and educational tours to promote public awareness and stewardship of ELAPP preserves.

• Coordinates community and volunteer initiatives, including Boy Scout and Eagle Scout service projects.

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

• May provide guidance and training, and review the work of others to ensure accuracy, completion, and timeliness; may supervise lower-level staff.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Specifications

• Advanced principles of ecology, habitat restoration, and land management.

• Techniques for invasive species control, prescribed burns, and environmental monitoring.

• Applicable environmental regulations, safety standards, and best management practices.

• Leadership and project management principles for coordinating crews and volunteers.

• Plan, coordinate, and lead complex land management and restoration projects.

• Apply herbicides and control invasive species safely and effectively.

• Conduct prescribed burns and implement fire management plans.

• Supervise and train staff and volunteers in field techniques and safety protocols.

• Communicate technical information effectively to staff, volunteers, and the public.

• Work independently and exercise judgment in field operations.

• Analyze environmental conditions and implement appropriate management actions.

• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.

• Lead public engagement activities, educational tours, and volunteer projects.

• Maintain accurate records, report, and monitor data for management purposes.

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
• Three years 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 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.

Additional Requirements for some positions

• Possession of a valid Florida Class "B" Commercial Driver's License with tanker endorsement may be required within 6 months of employment.
• Possession of a valid Florida Class "A" Commercial Driver's License with tanker endorsement may be required 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:

• 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)