Conservation Sci/Forester III

The Land Manager (Conservation Sci/Forester III) is expected to perform conservation and operational duties at the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station (OSBS) in Melrose, FL, a research and education unit of the University of Florida. This position will participate in conservation projects related to prescribed burning, geospatial mapping, exotic-invasive species control, habitat restoration, groundcover harvesting, and basic operational duties such as road, equipment, fence maintenance and security patrolling. The Land Manager is expected to plan and implement prescribed burns as part of the Station’s fire management program. This position supervises a Land Management Specialist (Conservation Sci/Forester II) and may supervise Student Conservation Association interns. The Land Manager also coordinates the Station’s volunteer program and will supervise volunteers, including but not limited to: Conservation Work Campers and Land Management interns. They may 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 OSBS and expected to both work in a team environment and to be capable of carrying out instructions and projects with minimal supervision. 

Conservation Management Duties. Including but not limited to: 

• Assists Ast Director in generation of budgets and work plans by identifying needs, projects and activities.
• Assists Ast Director with development and implementation of Station’s Land Management plan
• Plans and implements conservation projects primarily involving habitat restoration, groundcover harvesting, fire management, exotic invasive species control, and monitoring.
• Ensures proper implementation of restoration projects, forestry operations, and other activities through supervision of contractors, volunteers, and direct participation.
• Serves as a fire crew member in the Station’s wildland fire management program on controlled fires and wildfires.
• Serves in leadership positions on controlled burns, wildfires (based on qualifications ex: RXB2, line boss, engine boss, firing boss, ICT 5).
• Assists with off-site controlled burns with cooperators (ex, FL Park Service, SJRWMD, etc.).
• Oversee preparation of management units for prescribed burning;
• Prepare maps and prescriptions for controlled burns
• Serve in leadership roles on prescribed fires including as a Florida State Certified Burn Manager.
• Coordinates pre and post fire operation needs including preparing fire breaks, burn unit fuel treatments, post-burn monitoring.
• Maintain fire equipment and fire cache in ready status; maintain, clean and organized trucks, UTVs, ATVs and work areas.
• Collects pre & post fire effects monitoring data
• May assist with training opportunities at OSBS and other locations within Florida.
• Coordinates OSBS staff scouting and control of exotic-invasive species on OSBS.
• Supervise contractors on land management projects such as timber harvests, vegetation management, and habitat restoration.
• Collects data on identified conservation projects and may serve as a backup data collector to Conservation Steward Position.

Manages OSBS Volunteers and Interns. Including but not limited to: 

• Assist supervisor with recruitment of new volunteers to meet identified volunteer position needs for OSBS.
• Manages Conservation Work Camper volunteer program.
• Manages local volunteers/interns interested in participating in conservation and management activities.
• Manages Student Conservation Association (SCA) interns
• Confirms that volunteers and interns are following OSBS and UF policies and are working safely.
• Provides instructions and training for volunteers as well as needed resources to achieve their approved tasks/projects
• Coordinates with other OSBS staff members to their need of volunteer help.

Supervises Land Management Specialist (Conservation Scientist/Forester II #00014893): 

• Provides administrative oversight for Land Management Specialist.
• Provides supervision on conservation, operations and geospatial projects to achieve identified goals
• Provides instructions and training to Land Management Specialist as well as needed resources to achieve their approved tasks/projects
• Coordinates with other OSBS staff members to their need of Land Management Specialist to assist with projects.

Operations Management Duties. Including but not limited to: 

• Participates in maintaining Station roads and fire breaks through mowing, trimming, disking, rolling, and grading.
• Participates in maintaining Station equipment and building facilities.
• Participates in enforcing OSBS and UF policies, including natural resources protection, in a tactful manner on the lands comprising OSBS. This part of the job requires regular patrol driving of Station. Contact with local law enforcement representatives may be required when dealing with trespassers. Scheduled patrolling on weekends will be required: 2-6 hrs./month. (See NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE section).
• Prepares purchase requests and work order requests.
• Assist on outreach and education events and tours. Some events may also occur on weekends.

Geospatial Duties. Including but not limited to:

• Work with supervisor to update geospatial covers such as vegetation, fire breaks, fuels, insect/disease outbreaks, fire effects, etc.
• Collects GPS data related to resource management and supports mapping of research sites.
• Assists Station users in use of Trimble GPS equipment and downloading GPS data when needed.

$46,000 - $56,000 or commensurate with education and experience

Doctoral degree in forestry, agricultural science, rangeland management, environmental science, or a closely related field and two years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree in forestry, agricultural science, rangeland management, environmental science, or a closely related field and five years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in forestry, agricultural science, rangeland management, environmental science, or a closely related field and seven years of relevant experience.

• NWCG qualified as a Firefighter Type I Wildland Fire Fighter
• NWCG qualified as a Sawyer/Faller 3 or higher (2 or 1) preferred
• Qualified as a Florida State certified prescribed burn manager
• NWCG qualified for Engine Boss and/or Firing Boss preferred
• Experience with supervising volunteers and interns preferred
• Experience with collecting GPS data and working on GIS projects with ESRI ArcMap.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite and Microsoft Outlook
• Knowledge and ID of southeastern flora and fauna.
• Familiar in the use of off-road vehicles and equipment, including heavy equipment (tractors, loaders, tractor attachments), ATVs, UTVs, pumps, and chainsaws. Must have familiarity with the safe operation of equipment and must follow recommended safety guidelines and precautions specified for said work.
• Experience with the maintenance and repair of small motors, pumps, and chainsaws.
• Certified First Responder and/or wilderness first aid (Preferred).
• Position involves work in variable, sometimes difficult, weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. The successful applicant will be required to annually meet the NWCG Pack Test for wildland fires at the arduous level (3-mile walk with a 45-pound pack with a time of 45-minutes or less). 
• Ability to interact pleasantly and knowledgeably with researchers and classes and to convey basic station information. 

• Valid Florida driver’s license and safe driving record 
• Holds a Florida Public Pesticide (herbicide) Applicator License with certification in Natural Areas Weed Management (required within 12 months after hire).
• Holds a Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manger Certification
• NWCG Red Card qualified as a Firefighter Type I Wildland Fire Fighter

Completed the following NWCG suppression courses (courses not already completed are required within 24 months after hire):

• S-212 Wildfire Chainsaws
• S-230 Crew Boss
• S-231 Engine Boss
• Southern Engine Academy

In order to be considered, you must upload your resume, cover letter, and a list of 3 references.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Yes