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://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-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, 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 941-861-5353.

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.