Environmental Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

NOW HIRING: Environmental Specialist

Camp Blanding Joint Training Center - Starke, Florida

Make a Difference in Conservation, Wildlife Management, and Environmental Stewardship!

Pay: $23.00 - $27.00 / hour - Depending on Experience
Schedule: Tuesday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Hours: 40 hours per week

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About the Opportunity :

Are you passionate about wildlife conservation, natural resource management, and protecting Florida’s diverse ecosystems? KeyStaff is seeking a dedicated Environmental Specialist to support the Environmental Section at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center in Starke, Florida.

Spanning approximately 73,000 acres in southwest Clay County, Camp Blanding is a Florida Army National Guard training installation encompassing diverse upland habitats, wetlands, and natural communities. Its Environmental Section plays a critical role in protecting imperiled species, restoring habitats, managing forest resources, conducting prescribed burns, supporting wildfire suppression, and maintaining environmental regulatory compliance.

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside a multidisciplinary team of biologists, foresters, natural resource management specialists, wildland firefighters, and GIS professionals. Your work will directly contribute to conservation efforts, responsible land stewardship, and the installation’s military training mission.

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Key Responsibilities

Wildlife and Imperiled Species Management :

• Assist with red-cockaded woodpecker habitat management and cavity tree maintenance.

• Conduct gopher tortoise surveys using Line Transect Distance Sampling (LTDS) methodology and burrow-scoping equipment.

• Participate in Black Creek crayfish sampling and at-risk snake camera-trapping projects.

• Support bat acoustic surveys and wildlife data collection.

• Monitor and assist with the management of federally endangered Chapman’s rhododendron and Etoniah rosemary.

• Perform related fieldwork, documentation, and administrative duties.

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Habitat Restoration and Natural Resource Management :

• Conduct annual upland habitat surveys, including plant identification and classification.

• Perform tree surveys to assess vegetation density and habitat suitability.

• Participate in scrub community surveys and habitat assessments.

• Assist with mechanical site preparation for understory and overstory restoration projects.

• Collect and analyze photo-point data and groundcover composition measurements to evaluate habitat conditions.

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Prescribed Fire and Wildland Fire Management :

• Serve as a crew member during prescribed burns and associated fire-management operations.

• Operate water-handling equipment and related apparatus.

• Conduct post-burn monitoring and document results.

• Provide support for wildfire suppression activities.

• Participate in required physical conditioning and training to maintain wildland fire readiness.

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Water Quality and Invasive Species Management :

• Conduct technical water quality monitoring at approximately 20 sites throughout the installation.

• Assist with invasive plant and species management through herbicide application and mechanical control projects, as needed.

• Support environmental compliance and responsible natural resource management practices.

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Data Collection and Reporting :

• Maintain accurate, organized, and consistent environmental records.

• Enter, consolidate, and manage field data.

• Use GPS technology and mapping applications to navigate field sites and document findings.

• Communicate observations, progress, and project information to team members and partners.

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Minimum Qualifications :

Candidates must meet the following requirements :

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology, biology, forestry, or another natural resource-related field. Relevant field experience may substitute for formal education on a year-for-year basis.

• Valid Driver’s License: A valid U.S. driver’s license is required.

• Outdoor Readiness: Ability to work safely in challenging outdoor environments.

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Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate will demonstrate :

• A strong interest in wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, forestry, and environmental stewardship.

• The ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a professional team.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to plan and complete assignments efficiently.

• Basic familiarity with land management practices, prescribed burning, and herbicide use for vegetation control.

• Experience using GPS units and/or Field Maps for field navigation and data collection.

• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

• The ability to safely operate four-wheel-drive (4x4) vehicles and vehicle-mounted recovery winches.

• Effective communication skills and a strong work ethic.

• A commitment to safety, accurate documentation, and achieving environmental program objectives.

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Four-Day Workweek :

• Tuesday through Friday, 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.