DescriptionEnvironmental Specialist – Recreation Program Educator
This is a Career Ladder position, includes I, II, and III
Parks and Natural Resources
*~* Current Polk County BoCC employees must apply via the ME tab in Polk One! *~*
Polk County Parks and Natural Resources has more than 60 parks that include athletic facilities, picnic areas, a historical-oriented park, resource centers, five campgrounds, 40 boat launching sites, and an ATV park for you to enjoy.
Starting Pay Grades:
PG 13: $21.51 Hourly, Non-Exempt
PG 14: $22.58 Hourly, Non-Exempt
PG 16: $24.90 Hourly, Non-Exempt
Physical Location: Bartow, FL
Employee Benefits
Direct Deposit, Bi-Weekly Pay Checks
Medical, Dental, Vision
Life Insurance
Florida Retirement System Participation
10 Paid Holidays
Paid Time Off
Tuition Reimbursement
Education Incentives
Deferred Compensation Plan
Wellness Incentives
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Free Employee Gym
Free Employee Health Clinic
We are a Certified Age-Friendly Employer
Drug-Free Workplace
Must have the physical, developmental, and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated below:
MAJOR FUNCTION
Skilled professional to perform technical scientific duties for various aspects of environmental land management and environmental education, including field and office work related to natural resources and nature-based recreation.
Revise and write land management plans, conduct plant and animal surveys, conduct annual monitoring protocols, and write annual stewardship reports.
Assist with general land management duties and stewardship tasks.
Provide environmental education to visitors at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center, Circle B Bar Reserve and on other environmental land sites.
Responsible for assisting in staffing the Polk’s Nature Discovery Center.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
• Responsible for assisting with management of activities, plant surveys, rare species monitoring and environmental education on County owned environmental lands property.
• Specifically assists with land management activities and nature-based recreation activities at the environmental land sites with special emphasis at the Circle B Bar Reserve site.
• Activities to be performed include but are not limited to the following: plant inventories, listed species surveys, monitoring; vegetation mapping; mechanical and chemical control of invasive species; participating in all aspects of the prescribed fire program; and restoration activities.
• Provides support for nature-base recreation activities and assists the visiting public on the environmental lands.
• Supports the environmental education program at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center.
• Provides a positive experience for the visitors at the Discovery Center.
• Assists with the staffing and operating of the Discovery Center.
• Coordinates activities with the public, County staff, and related agencies on issues pertaining to conservation, nature-based recreation and environmental education.
• Performs environmental education programs including guided hikes, ranger stations, tram tours, and group activities.
• Provides programs on natural resources for all ages.
• Assists with teacher trainings and conservation development classes.
• Recruits presenters for conservation programs.
• Conducts learn-n-serve projects and service club and scout projects. Recruits and works with volunteers and interns at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center and environmental land sites.
• Assists with preparing and updating management plans and land stewardship reports.
• Assists with the preparation and implementation of grants to enhance Polk County’s Environmental Lands Program.
• Assists with design of exhibits, trail signage, trail brochures and other publications.
• Assists with calendar of events and manages e-mail notices to interested parties of the Environmental Lands Program.
• Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS:
• Knowledge in one or more of the following areas as pertains to natural resources management: biology, ecology, botany, wildlife management or similar related science field.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and theories related to natural habitats.
• Knowledge of environmental lands management methods.
• Knowledge of natural community habitats.
• Knowledge of local flora.
• Knowledge of and ability to operate a personal computer using software as utilized by the work unit such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and ArcView GIS.
• Ability to operate GPS units and mapping computer tablets.
• Ability to work independently in the field in all conditions.
• Ability to identify central Florida flora.
• Ability to conduct plant and animal inventories.
• Ability to become knowledgeable of County goals, procedures, practices, regulations, policies and ordinances.
• Ability to analyze, advise, assist, and solve citizen/customer problems or concerns.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral formats and with public speaking.
• Skills in interpreting and presenting factual data.
• Ability to use good judgment and make independent decisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with employees, officials, and the public.
• Ability to see, differentiate colors, talk, ambulate independently, walk, bend, stoop, sit, stand, drive, and operate motorized vehicles including all- terrain vehicles.
• Ability to work in the field under all types of conditions.
• Ability to lift 40-50 pounds regularly and up to 80 pounds occasionally, and hike over 2 miles while providing an interpretation presentation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduate of an accredited four (4) year college/university with a bachelor’s degree in Sciences, such as Natural Sciences, Biology, Environmental Studies, Botany, Ecology, or Wildlife Management.
Must possess a valid driver’s license or be able to secure a valid Florida driver’s license at the time of employment. Must not have had a preventable crash or a moving violation within twelve (12) months prior to making application.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I – RECRATION PROGRAM EDUCATOR:
Minimum of six (6) months of experience in natural areas management or education related field, or, a minimum of four (4) years of experience in natural areas management or education related field maybe substituted for a degree.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II – RECRATION PROGRAM EDUCATOR:
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in natural areas management or education related field, or, a minimum of six (6) years of experience in natural areas management or education related field maybe substituted for a degree.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III – RECRATION PROGRAM EDUCATOR:
A minimum of four (4) years of experience in natural areas management or education related field, or, a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in natural areas management or education related field maybe substituted for a degree.
SPECIAL PREFERENCES APPLIED TO ALL CAREER LADDER LEVELS:
Preference will be given to individuals with the following:
• Experience with knowledge of Central Florida flora and fauna.
• Experience with keying plants to genus species identification.
• Experience in public speaking and environmental education.
• Experience with ArcView GIS and mapping computer tablets.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite applications, Illustrator, and PageMaker.
• Experience with monitoring species.
• S130, S190 Wildland Fire Training and Florida Prescribed Fire Burn Manager Certification (Burn Boss).
• Public Applicator License in Aquatic Pest Control and/or Natural Areas Weed Management
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to work flexible schedule as needed. This position will work a rotation with our team; the position will work at least two Sundays a month and work frequent Saturdays to cover special events.
This position may be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.
About Polk County, FL
Seventeen municipalities, ranging from a tiny village to a metropolitan city, are located in Polk County, along with twenty-four unincorporated, populated areas.
Incorporated Polk County: City of Auburndale, City of Bartow, City of Davenport, Town of Dundee, City of Eagle Lake, City of Fort Meade, City of Frostproof, City of Haines City, Village of Highland Park, Town of Hillcrest Heights, City of Lake Alfred, Town of Lake Hamilton, City of Lakeland, City of Lake Wales, City of Mulberry, City of Polk City, City of Winter Haven
Unincorporated Polk County: Babson Park, "Ghost Town" of Brewster, Combee Settlement, Citrus Ridge, Crooked Lake Park, Crystal Lake, Cypress Gardens, Fussels Corner, Gibsonia, Highland City, Homeland, Inwood, Jan Phyl Village, Kathleen, Lakeland Highlands, Loughman, Medulla, Nalcrest, Pittsburg, Poinciana, Wahneta, Waverly, Willow Oak, Winston
