Department:

Parks Recreation & Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Sarasota County stands as a shining example of a place where life, work, and play effortlessly intersect. Renowned locally, regionally, and nationally, our parks, recreation, and natural resources experiences are the lifeblood of our community.

Join us as an Environmental Specialist with Beaches & Water Access. Do you excel at thinking creatively and generating innovative ideas? We value fresh perspectives and encourage imaginative ideas that shape our future. Compensation for this role starts at $23.56/hr. Plus, enjoy comprehensive benefits kicking in within 60 days of joining our remarkable team.

Sarasota County is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.About the Position

In this role, you will...

Invasive Species & Habitat Management: Manage invasive animals and plants, perform mechanical vegetation reduction, apply herbicides, and enhance native habitats.Environmental Protection: Ensure archaeological and cultural resource protection, and promote environmental standards for species and habitat conservation.Project Assistance & Management: Support waterway, marine, land and navigation improvement projects, and develop plans, scopes of service, and RFPs for contracted services.Data Management: Use GPS and collaborate with GIS to update environmental databases, maps, and track natural resource projects.IPM Leadership: Lead and assist with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) projects, including the creation of scopes of work, managing projects, overseeing contracted services, pesticide usage, and reporting.Herbicide Applicator Certification: Obtain a certified herbicide applicator license within six months of hire, manage chemical inventory, and report on pesticide usage.Volunteer Coordination: Lead and train volunteers for events, and assist with planning, development, and implementation of volunteer programs.Public Program Support: Assist with the planning and implementation of public programs and events, and contribute to customer service by producing promotional materials.Prescribed Burns: Participate in and maintain certifications for prescribed burns on public lands.General Maintenance: Assist with park grounds maintenance, including trash and debris removal, and support other duties as assigned.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

Two (2) year degree in one of the biological or physical sciences, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.

-OR- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the biological or physical sciences or related field.

Two (2) years of professional experience.

-OR- Progressively responsible professional experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree.

Valid Florida driver's License by date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in land management activities such as prescribed burning, invasive plant and animal control, and habitat maintenance or restoration.

Natural Areas and Limited Lawn & Ornamental Herbicide Applicator Licenses (or ability to obtain within six months).

Boating License (or ability to obtain within six months).

Subject to Passing Substance Screening:  This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.  An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for five (5) years.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay Range: $23.56 based upon experience.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.