Job Description

Reports to: CEO

Supervises: Groundskeeping Staff; Land Maintenance Vendors, Volunteers, and Consultants

Location: Sarasota, Florida (on-site)

OUR MISSION

The Elling Eide Center is a private research library and cultural institution dedicated to Asian studies and environmental conservation, situated on a rare 72-acre coastal preserve. Our mission is to preserve both cultural and natural heritage through scholarship and land stewardship.

POSITION SUMMARY

The land manager/environmental specialist is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive land management plan that protects, preserves, maintains, and restores the 72-acre nature preserve surrounding the Elling Eide Center in Sarasota, Florida.

Although this rare coastal upland and tropical habitat is some of the last remaining of its kind in Florida, the property has not been maintained as a nature preserve and needs the leadership, ecological expertise, and experience of someone well-versed in resource management and land use best practices to guide its restoration and preservation from here.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, coordinate, and execute a land management plan for the Eide Center property
• Develop landscape management plans for horticultural collections and ornamental gardens
• Respectfully oversee and lead long tenured groundskeeping team
• Recruit, train, and supervise new team members and volunteers as needed
• Create an annual, quarterly, and monthly maintenance schedule
• Oversee contracted work
• Monitor species (flora and fauna), and evaluate habitats to formulate management strategies for their restoration and maintenance
• Manage water habitat (lagoon and bayfront)
• Establish and enforce safety protocols
• Create and manage departmental budget
• Provide contractor oversight for habitat management and wildfire fire mitigation projects
• Prepare, implement, document, monitor and develop management strategies for the removal of invasive plant and animal species using best-integrated pest management practices
• Develop partnerships: collaborate with other Sarasota County departments, State and Federal agencies, and other stakeholders
• Participate in public outreach and develop materials for public education/interpretation and events
• Coordinate, recruit, and manage volunteers and Arboretum tours
• Represent and promote the Center at offsite meetings and outreach events
• Identity and facilitate implantation of burn prep needs as applicable
• Develop and implement a wildfire mitigation strategy for the Center
• Document and monitor nuisance and exotic plant and wildlife populations
• Create and maintain a map of the property using GIS with past and current holdings

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences (Biology, Forestry, Botany, environmental studies, restoration ecology or related field). Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in stewardship and land protection, including plan development, assessing restoration needs, controlling exotic plant species, and restoring habitat
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with a diversity of people
• Ability and willingness to build and maintain good working relationships with a variety of local, state, regional, and national organizations to bring together people, projects, and resources
• Excellent problem-solving skills and organizational skills, with attention to detail and good records
• Self-starter, flexible, and able to work under pressure
• Ability to read maps and navigate outdoors using maps
• Competent with computer software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and GIS data
• Valid Florida driver’s license and proof of insurance
• Physical ability to be outdoors for considerable periods in the heat and interacting with wildlife

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with Florida native plants
• Herbicide Applicators certification
• First Aid certification
• Prescribed Fire certifications

SCHEDULE

• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• Monday-Friday, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Occasionally be required to work weekends/holidays as requested.
• Attend Special events (as needed)

WORKING CONDITIONS

Outdoor field environment (80%) and indoor office work (20%). Performs strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions. Able to lift 50 pounds occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently. Required to drive vehicles as part of the duties of the job, e.g. tractor, golf cart, truck. Able to climb and descend equipment and ladders. Able to bend, stoop, crawl, and reach. The position requires visual acuity and depth perception as well as the ability to hear and identify sounds. Work in and around water.

BENEFITS

• Health Insurance, Dental and Vision coverage (company pays 90% of the annual cost)
• 3% company contribution to a Fidelity Simple IRA account with employee participation.
• 14 paid holidays and two weeks additional PTO
• Annual performance pay bonus for achieving personal and organizational goals
• Opportunities for professional development and continued education

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#EnvironmentalStewardship

#HabitatRestoration

#EcologicalRestoration

#NaturalResourceManagement

#ConservationJobs

#EnvironmentalLeadership

#SarasotaJobs

#FloridaJobs

#WildfireMitigation

#NativePlants

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