Land Management Specialist – SW FL Water Management District (Tampa)

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) a leader in protecting Florida’s water resources is seeking a Land Management Specialist in support of the Operations and Land Management Bureau. The Land Management Specialist is responsible for all land management activities on approximately 30000 acres of District conservation lands and will support the Land Management Team. This position is also responsible for applying prescribed fire management of restoration efforts the planning and management of maintenance efforts and responding to wildfires per the request of the Florida Forest Service.

The District strives to hire and retain outstanding talent within an individual’s desired field to successfully fulfill the District’s mission. The District searches for those with extraordinary interpersonal communication (both written and verbal) and problem-solving skills as well as a passion for technical excellence. Based on a combination of education licenses/certifications and experience the ideal candidate will have:

• 5 years of experience in natural resources or conservation land management.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Natural Resource Conservation or related fields.
• Possession of a valid Florida Certified Prescribed Fire Burn Manager certification (burn number) issued through Florida Forest Service.
• Experience writing land management plans.
• Solid understanding of the dynamics of fire in Florida’s natural systems & a strong working knowledge of Florida’s natural communities.
• Proficient experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

The District prides itself in being a science and technology leader in the management of water resources for its sixteen-county coverage area. The District offers work-life balance collaborative work environment and competitive benefits; including medical insurance paid annual and sick leave Florida Retirement System benefits just to name a few.

Essential Functions

• Planning and conducting prescribed burns on assigned properties and assisting team members in meeting burn goals.
• Documenting land management activities in the Land Management Database.
• Participating in the District’s response to wildfires or other emergency management events.
• Planning and implementing restoration projects and conducting forest management activities.
• Coordinating infrastructure maintenance and coordinating management of exotic flora and fauna.
• Utilizing data and site observations to make informed resource management decisions.
• Encouraging public support for the Land Management Program by meeting with user groups responding to public inquiries conducting tours and making presentations.
• Writing land management plans and participating in the land management review process.
• Participating in District programs and initiatives including Land Use and Acquisition activities.
• Participating in professional organizations external groups and relevant steering committees.
• Independently planning managing and monitoring projects and contracts.
• Performing conservation easement inspections and overseeing contractors.

Working Conditions

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.

The position requires the ability to perform continuous repetitive tasks (to include keyboarding) with one or both hands. Frequently lifts and carries 10-pound objects with an occasional requirement to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Must be able to occasionally squat. Must be able to operate a District vehicle with attached equipment for two hours or more at a time. May be exposed to extremes in temperature and humidity as well as a variety of pests including mosquitos and ticks. Must be able to occasionally bend squat climb crawl and swim and frequently reach above shoulder level.

Satisfactory completion of a work capacity test is required within the first 6 months upon hire and every 2 years thereafter for employees to conduct fire management functions of Engine Crew Member and Line Crew Member. The test entails completing a one-mile timed walk in sixteen minutes.

The District plays a critical emergency management role before during and after EOC declared events and/or in conjunction with the overall emergency management strategy operations and recovery for the State of Florida. The employee therefore may be required to perform duties as assigned before during and after major storm events and emergency situations such as hurricanes wildfires or other declared emergencies. Such duties may include the employee’s normal work functions or other emergency support functions as determined necessary by the District. During major storm or wildfire events this position could travel for extended hours or days.

Additional Details

This position is typically scheduled to work 40 hours per week Tuesday to Friday 7:00 AM to 5:30 AM out of the Tampa or Lake Hancock FL office. Office location is contingent upon the decision of the hiring authority and the successful candidate. This position is eligible for overtime for hours worked over 40 hours in a week.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race color religion ancestry national origin age sex marital status familial status or medical condition. All recruitment hiring placements transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills knowledge and abilities and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The District will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Experience

Required

• 4 year(s): Experience in natural resources conservation land management or related field and must obtain a Florida Certified Prescribed Fire Burn Manager certification (burn number) issued through Florida Forest Service within one year of hire for the Staff Land Management Specialist level.
• 5 year(s): Experience in natural resources conservation land management or related field and possession of a valid Florida Certified Prescribed Fire Burn Manager certification (burn number) issued through Florida Forest Service for the Senior Land Management Specialist level.

Preferred

Education

Required

• Associates or better

Preferred

• Bachelors or better in Natural Resource Conservation or related field

Licenses & Certifications

Required

• Driver’s License

Preferred

• Cert Pscr Burn Mngrs

Skills

Required

• Map & Report Preparation
• Computer Skills
• Oral and Written Communications
• Resource Management
• Prescribed Burning

Preferred

• Interpersonal Relationships
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking
• Project Management
• Land Management

Behaviors

Required

• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group

Preferred

• Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Required

• Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help

Preferred

• Work-Life Balance: Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work
• Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility
• https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=property%20maintenance&l=Tampa%2C%20FL&ts=1543951079647&rs=1&fromage=last&vjk=b49e424e90910cb7