Job Type: Permanent
Salary Details: $18/hr to $19/hr
Deadline: Aug 09, 2021
Required Experience: 2 – 6 years
See full details at https://environment.uw.edu/career-opportunities/85976/
ACT is seeking a Land Management Specialist to join our nationally accredited land trust’s natural resource management team. The Land Management Specialist is expected to perform conservation and operational duties on Alachua Conservation Trust conservation lands. This position will participate in conservation projects related to prescribed burning, exotic-invasive species control, habitat restoration, and basic recreation management duties such as trail, trailhead, and equipment maintenance. This position may occasionally participate in the supervision of interns interested in building skills in conservation and management activities. An employee in this position should expect to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. This position will serve as a staff member of Alachua Conservation Trust and will be expected to work in a team environment in a leadership role as well as carrying out instructions and projects with minimal supervision.
Essential Functions – Including but not limited to:
Land Stewardship/Management Duties (50%)
• Work independently and jointly with other ACT staff on conservation projects that will primarily involve natural resource management projects (habitat restoration, fire management, exotic invasive species control), and recreation management projects (building and maintaining recreation infrastructure).
• Serve as a fire crew member in Alachua Conservation Trust’s fire management program on prescribed fires and wildfires for the purpose of natural resource enhancement, restoration, fuel reduction, and training.
• Participate in fire mop-up activities that may require working a non-normal work schedule (infrequent).
• At the discretion of supervisor, may be expected to serve in leadership position.
• Assist with pre and post fire operation needs including preparing fire breaks, burn unit fuel treatments, and post-burn monitoring.
• Assist in maintaining fire equipment and fire cache in ready status; maintain clean and organized
trucks, UTVs, ATVs and work areas.
• Work alongside cooperators and contractors when needed
• Work with other ACT staff in scouting, documenting, and controlling of exotic-invasive species on
ACT properties. • Collect data on identified conservation projects and serves as a backup data collector on selected
projects. Monitors natural communities for management needs and effects of management activities
• Assist in generation of work plans by identifying needs, projects and activities.
Recreation and Operations Management Duties (40%)
• Participate with other ACT staff in maintaining equipment and building facilities.
• Assist on outreach and education events and tours. Some events may also occur on weekends.
Administrative/Project Management Duties (10%)
• Collect GPS data related to resource management and other identified needs.
• Participate in mapping exotic-invasive species, insect/disease outbreaks, fire effects, timber harvesting, restoration, etc. and transfer into GIS.
• Enter data into spreadsheets, databases, and word documents.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree with a natural resource major (forestry, natural resource conservation, etc.) AND a minimum of 1-year related experience, OR a bachelor’s degree AND 2-3 years’ experience in natural resource management.
• Experience with supervising volunteers, students, or other leadership positions.
• Completed NWCG I100/S130/S190 wildland fire courses.
• Experience with participation on prescribed burns.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ID of southeastern flora and fauna as well as exotic/invasive plant species common to North Florida.
• Experience with collecting GPS data.
• Experience in the use of off-road vehicles and equipment, including heavy equipment (tractors, tractor attachments, trailers, ATVs, UTVs).
• Experience in operating and maintaining small equipment such as mowers, pumps, and chainsaws.
• Ability to walk, climb, run, stoop, bend, stand, push, pull, lift 40 lbs. and carry heavy items and/or equipment.
• Must be able to work in variable, sometimes difficult, weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Ability to interact pleasantly and knowledgeably with the public and to convey basic information about the organization.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment to meet established goals and deadlines.
• Must be committed to the organization’s conservation mission and be able to maintain strong, positive, collegial working relationships with staff and Board, as well as outside partners, professional advisors and consultants.
• Must have enthusiasm for the mission of the organization and experience working with diverse groups of people in an educational and outreach capacity.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
Benefits of the Position:
• This is a full-time position.
• Starting pay is $18-19/hour depending on experience.
• Three weeks (120 hours) paid personal leave (vacation and sick leave combined)
• Health insurance stipend
• Enrollment in ACT’s retirement plan
• Training and professional development opportunities as budgets allow
About Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT):
Since 1988, Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) has played an integral role in important acquisitions, land conservation initiatives, and watershed protection. ACT’s mission is to protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and around North Central Florida. As an accredited nonprofit land trust, ACT works in primarily 16 counties and protects land through purchase, donation, and conservation easements. Since ACT’s incorporation, ACT has facilitated the preservation of over 54,000 acres of land in North Central Florida and directly acquired 20,500 acres. ACT was the 2013 recipient of the National Land Trust Excellence Award – the highest honor a land trust can be awarded on a national level. For the past 33 years ACT’s work has been integrally tied to the water health of North Central Florida and the Santa Fe and Suwannee Rivers as permanent land protection is a critical component for preventing future land use intensification and providing ecosystem services to spring sheds and watersheds.
Equity & Inclusion:
ACT is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to increasing equity, representation and inclusion in all elements of our work to support the intersection of land conservation and people in a diverse North Central Florida. ACT hires, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, marital status, religion, age, mental or physical disability, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, in addition to any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
No person shall, on the grounds of the above-mentioned categories, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of ACT. ACT recognizes that diversity on the staff and board strengthens the organization. ACT will seek qualified applicants for staff and board positions from members of under-represented groups in the nonprofit and natural resources fields.
Candidates are invited to learn more about ACT’s commitment to keeping Florida wild for all
at https://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org/flwild-for-all .
To Apply:
Please note that the job description and requirements are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, therefore if you have 70% of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply. Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and three references in a single PDF document labeled with your name and the job title, by email, by August 9, 2021 to: info@alachuaconservationtrust.org. Failure to follow these instructions may result in disqualification.
If you require assistance or accommodation with our application process, please tell us how we can help by calling us at 352-373-1078. Candidates will be notified regarding the status of their applications by email or phone call. For further information about the organization, please visit ACT’s website:
www.alachuaconservationtrust.org
If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.