Weekend Prescribed Fire Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Park Ranger

PAY RATE: $23.15/HR.

Plant City, FL

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, the incumbent performs semi-skilled and manual work in developing and maintaining an environmentally protected property and occasionally answering questions or providing information on nature preserve topics. Serves as Park Security during after-hours operations. Work is reviewed through oral and written reports, discussion, and results obtained.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. 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.

• Provides maintenance of existing and future access points, trails, and park amenity sites.
• Conducts exotic plant control using herbicide and other methods.
• Assists with exotic, invasive, and nuisance animal removal.
• Assists with prescribed burns by preparing fire lanes and prescribed burn activities.
• Assists with or gives guided field trips.
• Assists with water quality monitoring.
• Assists with restoration activities, including planting of native species.
• Maintains signs, restroom facilities, and parking areas at nature preserve properties.
• Document wildlife observed in nature preserve properties.
• Photographically and otherwise monitor nature preserve properties.
• Assist with security by conducting patrols, installing signs and fencing.
• Attend and assist at public meetings concerning the nature preserve properties.
• Prepare and present public information to school, community groups, and special events.
• Maintain equipment used during site management activities or report problems to appropriate staff.
• Assist other agencies and organizations with environmental projects.
• Work with the Youth Environmental Services program, AmeriCorps, community service workers or volunteers in managing land.
• Other duties related to the administration of the nature preserve properties.
• For declared disasters, position is considered “essential’; works with City crews during preparation and recovery operations (road clearing, debris removal from rights of way and city properties, inspection of facilities, etc.).
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of nature preserve properties and access points.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Skill in operation of tractors and similar heavy equipment.
• Ability to operate power tools such as chain saws, trimmers, mowers, etc.
• Skill and knowledge of GPS/GIS equipment and associated software and technology.
• Knowledge of prescribed fire operations and wildfire suppression techniques/tactics.
• Knowledge of fire behavior, fire equipment, importance of prescribed burns, and safety issues concerning wildland fire operations.Must attend and pass the Interagency Basic Prescribed Fire Training Course given by the Florida Forest Service.
• Knowledge of common herbicides, their safe use, and environmental regulations; must obtain Restricted Use Pesticide license/Natural Areas category from the State of Florida and maintain this license through the course of employment in this position.
• Skill in using digital or hard copy aerial photographs to identify natural habitats.
• Skilled in using various four-wheel drive vehicles including trucks, wildland engines, ATVs/UTVs, and heavy equipment.
• Skilled in the operation of miscellaneous hand and power equipment, such as mowers, chain saws, pole saw, and trimmers.
• High degree of adaptability, problem-solving ability, and ability to work without close supervision yet maintain contact with supervisor.
• Ability to identify common, nuisance, rare, and listed plant and animal species.
• Ability to follow technical instructions.
• Ability to use a computer and word processing programs such as Word, Access, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to complete accurate and timely reports such as vehicle logs, resource management logs, timesheets, prescribed fire prescriptions and others as needed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others - has good interpersonal relations skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to supervise the work of others as needed.
• Ability to work outdoors all year, sometimes in unfavorable conditions, including either evening hours or weekends.
• Ability to push, pull, stoop, bend andcarry a 40-lb backpack sprayer and other equipment of similar weight
• Ability to use a camera, binoculars, dissecting microscope and other common technical equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot/solve minor mechanical problems related to gasoline and diesel engines.
• Ability to drive a pickup and trailer combination.
• Maintain full ability to walk, climb, run, stoop, bend, stand, push, pull, lift 40 pounds and carry heavy items.

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from high school or possession of a qualified GED certificate; and
• Two years of field experience in a position related to Ecology, Environmental Science or Natural Resource Management, or
• A combination of education, training, and experience may be substituted at the City Manager’s discretion.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Must obtain within 1 year of employment valid Restricted Use Pesticide License-Natural Areas Category and maintain throughout employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license and must be insurable by the City’s current insurance provider.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) training will be required according to the job duties and responsibilities within one (1) year of employment.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• N/A