Environmental Specialist I - Parks and Natural Areas

Department:

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Do you enjoy working outdoors and have a passion for nature and improving the environment? We are currently in need of a Land Management Support role to help maintain our natural parks, preserves, and reserves. This role is crucial for supporting, developing, implementing, consulting, assisting, and/or leading the Environmental/Scientific program, projects, and team. Benefits begin within 60 days of hire, and there are numerous opportunities for advancement. Apply today and take the first step to impacting our community and building a lasting career!

About the Position

In this role, you will assist with habitat restoration, listed species monitoring, and management of nuisance species . The position is responsible for positive visitor experiences, volunteer training, coordination, and assistance with special events. Examples of job duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Manage Natural Areas:

• Protected species monitoring and habitat restoration.

• Documentation of nuisance species and nuisance vegetation management (either self, through teamwork days, with volunteers, Sheriff’s Work Offender Program teams, or contractual).

• Implementation of nuisance and feral animal control measures and assists with ensuring archaeological and cultural resources are protected.

• Document, monitor, and treat exotic plant occurrences on county-owned and/or managed lands.

• Work in Maximo to submit appropriate service requests for Integrated Pest Management activities (IPM).

• Assist Emergency Services with planning, organizing, preparing, and conducting prescribed burns under the direction of the Fire Mitigation Specialists and Manager.

• Ensure compliance with all policies, guidelines, procedures, Federal/State regulations, and standards.

• Work in support of other units and other duties as assigned.

Support and Maintain Public Access on Natural Area Lands:

• Provide access and use oversight of associated infrastructure.

• Ensure site maintenance and upkeep of public events.

• Maintain public use infrastructure to include trails, amenities, and signage.

• Evaluate needs for projects and repairs; work in Maximo to submit appropriate service requests and maintenance and management of assigned parks, including grounds, facilities, and amenities.

• All other types of work necessary to lead and/or support public use and access goals.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.

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

• Occasional weekend work for events and special projects.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two (2) year degree with two (2) years of professional experience in a related field.

• -OR- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological or physical sciences, Environmental Engineering, or related fields.

• Progressively responsible professional experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree. (Examples of related experience can include Ecological fieldwork in Florida upland and wetland ecosystems; coursework in ecological field methods; public speaking; Florida Native Ecosystems; public access implementation and/or infrastructure maintenance).

• Valid Florida Driver's License by date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with and mixing herbicides and pesticides.

• Knowledge of Florida’s flora, fauna, and habitats.

• Herbicide applicator’s license, Core, Natural Areas, and Aquatics classifications. (_ -OR- able to attain within 12 months, we can help with this! _)

• Interagency Basic Prescribed Fire Training, S130, S190, L180, ICS 100, and ICS 200. (_ -OR- able to attain within 18 months, we can help with this! _)

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 position must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 lbs. If more than 50 lbs is required, transporting supplies or equipment will be provided, along with a coworker present to assist.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $24.74-$25.00/hr, depending 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:

• 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 View phone number on swooped.co.

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.