Environmental Ecology Jobs in Sarasota, FL (NOW HIRING)

Land And Environmental Programs Manager

The Land and Environmental Programs Manager joins a team of intellectually curious, scientifically rigorous, hard-working, and interdisciplinary professionals who support the unique mission and vision of the Elling Eide Center, located in Sarasota, Florida.

This position is responsible for executing a comprehensive land management plan that protects, preserves, maintains, and restores the 72-acre nature preserve surrounding the Elling O. Eide Library, as well as supporting the Center's broader environmental programs. Significant program areas include environmental land management, restoration and enhancement, as well as horticulture of native, ornamental, and edible plants. The Eide Preserve contains at least eleven land cover types, including Florida scrub and scrubby flatwoods that require prescribed burning. Leading a prescribed fire program at the Eide Center is an essential job duty.

Additionally, because the Eide Center exists at the intersection of conservation science and humanities scholarship, this position engages meaningfully with visiting national and international scholars, as well as diverse archaeological, historical, and cultural resources within the preserve.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Work is typically related to land management at the Eide Preserve or performing environmental programs in support of the Elling Eide Center, under the direction of the program Director. In general, work assignments include but are not limited to:

• Daily preserve management and maintenance oversight
• Plan, coordinate, and implement prescribed burns as Certified Burn Manager in urban interface context
• Native plant nursery and arboretum maintenance, landscape management • Habitat monitoring and invasive species control
• Contractor and volunteer coordination
• Equipment operation including tractors, UTVs, mowers, and hand tools
• Coordinate land management activities with visiting scholars and research programs
• Protect and maintain archaeological features during all preserve operations
• Occasionally support facilities and structures repair

Technical/Scientific Work:

• Documentation and data management
• GIS mapping and analysis
• Biotic surveys and monitoring
• Report preparation and data analysis
• Grant support and reporting

Strategic/Administrative:

• Management plan updates
• Public outreach and education
• Partnership development, including County, State, Federal and NGOs
• Budgeting
• Visitor researcher coordination
• Infrastructure planning

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or related field, with 4 years of progressive land/preserve management experience, including prescribed fire operations; OR associate's degree with 6+ years progressive experience in land/preserve management; OR 8+ years demonstrated experience in habitat restoration and land stewardship.
• Valid Florida driver's license with clean driving record
• Ability to operate tractors, UTVs, and trailers
• Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager; OR ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• CPR/First Aid certification within 6 months of hire; Wilderness First Aid certification preferred.
• FDACS pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain within 12 months of employment. (We can help)
• Native plant identification and Florida ecosystems knowledge

Technical Competencies:

• Computer use, including Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office

Field Requirements:

• Physical ability to work outdoors 50-80% of time in heat, rain, and around wildlife
• Ability to lift 50 lbs occasionally, 20 lbs frequently
• Ability to pass moderate or arduous pack test and to pass on an annual basis.
• Comfortable working in/around water, climbing equipment, bending, stooping, crawling

Professional Skills:

• Written and verbal communication for reports, grants, and public education
• Project planning, prioritization, and timeline management
• Contractor and volunteer coordination
• Team management, support and training
• Independent judgment and problem-solving in field situations

Desirable Qualifications:

• Agricultural, horticultural, or landscape design skills
• Invasive species management using integrated pest management
• Experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro
• Understanding of environmental regulations and permitting
• Data collection, analysis, and technical report writing
• Completion of Basic Wildland Firefighting (S-130/190), Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290), Wildland Fire Chainsaws (S-112 or S-212) and completion of ICS 100-200 or the ability to obtain.
• Ability to collect/evaluate scientific or technical data and create reports
• Spanish language skills
• Familiarity with East Asian cultures, history, languages, or humanities scholarship
• Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration bridging environmental science and humanities
• Experience with archaeological site preservation or cultural resource management
• Ability to engage meaningfully with visiting scholars from diverse academic disciplines

Schedule:

• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• Generally, Monday-Friday, 7:30 am- 3:30 pm
• Occasionally may be required to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as requested.
• Attend special events (as needed)

Working Conditions:

Generally, outdoor field environment (50-80%) and indoor office work (20-50%). 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

To Apply:

1) Please send the following materials to careers@ellingoeide.org: a. Resume b. Cover Letter 2) Please include the job title in the subject line. 3) Please indicate in the email body where you saw this job opportunity.