Environmental Specialist - Land Conservation Program

Minimum Qualifications

This is a professional conservation land management position in the Environmental Protection Department - Land Conservation and Management Program. The position will conduct land stewardship activities on Alachua County preserves and natural areas under higher-level supervision, including: invasive plant control, prescribed burning, forestry, data collection, site development, maintenance and security, and other duties. Depending on the skills of the selected candidate, the position may also assist with land management plan development, establishing new public access, contractor oversight, and public outreach

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, biology, forestry, wildlife ecology, land/recreation management, natural science, or a related field and one year of related environmental experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.
Post-hire requirements for this classification include:

• Must successfully complete the Annual Fireline Refresher training (RT-130) within the first 6 months of hire in this classification, and annually prior to February 1st each calendar year.
• Must obtain and maintain CPR certification and First Aid and Safety certification within one year of employment in this classification.
• Must complete National Wildlife Coordinating Group (NWCG) Moderate (or Arduous) Work Capacity Test within one year of hire in this classification and annually prior to February 1st each calendar year.
• Must successfully complete National Wildlife Coordinating Group (NWCG) S-130/S-190 within eighteen months of hire in this classification.

Position Summary

This is entry-level professional work protecting, restoring, and managing Alachua County Nature Preserves and implementing land management activities for Alachua County.  
The employee assigned to this classification is responsible for conducting various field monitoring and land management activities, including prescribed burning, invasive species treatment and management, site evaluations, operating and maintaining equipment, engaging in public outreach activities, monitoring and maintaining public access infrastructure, collecting and reviewing data, and monitoring and managing natural areas.
Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level professional supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.
Implements land stewardship activities on Alachua County natural areas under higher-level supervision, including invasive plant control, prescribed burning, forestry, data collection, public access site development, monitoring, maintenance and security.
Actively participates in all aspects of prescribed fire operations including fire line preparation, burn unit scouting, prescription writing, day of burn operations, and extended mop-up in roles such as crew member or crew boss as appropriate.
Prepares data summaries and reports including tables, charts, spreadsheets, maps and databases for evaluation and tracking of environmental data.
Reviews project plans, specifications, and/or permit applications at the direction of supervisor for project implementation.
Assists with native plant restoration projects, including participating in or overseeing contractor tree plantings or other species.
Participates in boundary marking, imperiled species protection, timber marking and inventory, and cultural resource monitoring.
Operates environmental monitoring equipment according to standard operating procedures and documents data and field measurements.
Assists with drafting scopes of services and field maps and overseeing contractors.
Plans, coordinates, and oversees volunteer group work projects.
Evaluates natural areas for acquisition and management; performs conservation easement compliance inspections; documents site evaluations in reports; and completes activity logs.
Develops and participates in public outreach activities.
Assists with the development and implementation of land management plans.
Assists with planning the opening of new sites for public access and maintaining existing public access infrastructure.
Purchases operating supplies and manages inventory of tools, equipment, materials, and public facilities.
Operates and assists with basic maintenance on small equipment such as hand tools, power tools, chainsaws, pole saws, backpack sprayers, and pumps.
Operates, transports, and assists in basic maintenance of motor vehicles (including departmental motor vehicles), as well as multiple off-road vehicles including, but not limited to 4WD trucks, ATVs, UTVs, wildland fire engines, skid steers and tractors to prepare fire lines for prescribed burning, debris clean up, and/or restoration projects to carry out various Land Conservation Program operations as required.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. 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.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of codes, laws and environmental program rules and requirements related to area of environmental coverage.
Knowledge of environmental protection and land conservation.
Knowledge of environmental sampling techniques, sampling equipment and quality control procedures in field activities applicable to the Land Conservation Program within the Environmental Protection Department.
Knowledge of local, state and federal rules, regulations and ordinances related to environmental protection.
Knowledge of local natural communities, and native and invasive flora and fauna, as it relates to the Land Conservation Program within the Environmental Protection Department.
Knowledge of computer, word processing, and data management programs, and Geographic Information Systems software, as applicable. 
Skill in dealing effectively with community partners, governmental officials and citizens.
Skill in the safe operation of motor vehicles, trailers, tractors, and skid steers.
Skill in the safe operation of hand tools and small equipment such as power tools, chainsaws, pole saws, weed eaters, blowers, mowers, backpack sprayers and pumps.
Ability to follow standard operating procedures and compile routine reports and maintain accurate records.
Ability to carry out duties with environmental sensitivity in accordance with program mission, goals, and standards.
Ability to use hand-held GPS tracking technology in smart phone or tablet.
Ability to implement resource management techniques, utilize related equipment and follow safety procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees, other governmental agencies and the general public.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
Ability to work outdoors in overgrown brush and in adverse weather conditions.
Ability to interact with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for long periods and walk for considerable distances over uneven ground through trail-less natural areas while carrying field gear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; talk or hear; and smell. The employee occasionally is required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to use PPE (personal protective equipment) including a hard hat, boots, eyewear, gloves, and other equipment).  The employee is regularly required to perform tasks which require arduous exertion, and long, occasionally irregular hours. 
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally assist with lifting or moving up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The employee is regularly required to work independently and on small and large teams.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions and is regularly exposed to smoke, fumes, gas, herbicides, or airborne particles. The employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.
The employee may perform field work in inclement weather and harsh conditions such as rocky, loose, or muddy ground surface,  thick vegetation, down/standing trees, wet leaves/grasses, varied climates (cold, hot, wet, dry, humid, rain, wind, thunderstorms), wet areas and dense brush with biting insects, venomous animals, wildlife, and/or irritating plants and allergens.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occasionally loud.

Supplemental Information

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future. BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program  

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of Firefighters Pay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$50,116.98 Annually