Section Leader – Land Management Full Time

The Land Stewardship Section within the District’s Land Resources Bureau oversees the administration of land management functions and public recreational use activities on District land resources including conservation lands and water resource project lands.  The Land Management Unit Section Leader within Land Stewardship is an Administrator level position and is responsible for the administration of all land and lease management functions on over 415,000 acres of District managed conservation and interim project lands.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Directly supervise six land management scientist positions and provide administrative and supervisory oversight for all staff assigned to the Land Management Unit consisting of 22 full-time employees.

Oversee the planning and implementation of all land management functions including, but not limited to, prescribed burning, contracted exotic plant control activities, mechanical vegetation management, and restoration activities on District conservation and project lands.

Ensure that all land management functions are performed in an effective and efficient manner.

Assist with the development and implementation of the Land Stewardship annual operational budget in accordance with District protocols.

Ensure the Land Management Unit interacts professionally and collaboratively with other District Divisions, partner Agencies, and outside stakeholder groups.

Provide field staff support and routinely assist on prescribed fires, operate myriad field equipment, conduct aerial surveys and contractor field inspections.

Assist with the development and preparation of statutorily required reports and other budgetary or operational accomplishment reports as may be required by the agency.

Coordinate with partner Agencies on concerted efforts to manage natural resources across political boundaries.

Recommend process improvements, where appropriate, and procedural changes to effectively implement guidance from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or statutory changes adopted by the Florida Legislature.

Periodically represent the Section and/or Bureau on District taskforces, at interagency meetings, and in public forums.

Incumbent shall develop annual operational plans and budgets, prioritize and provide oversight for section level land management functions, monitor budgets and track expenditures, participate in the recruitment process for the hiring of new employees, and prepare land management activity and related reports.  Incumbent shall possess strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work productively in a group setting with co-workers and outside agencies.  Prior supervisory experience is preferred.  Assignments may include some work that is typical of a higher supervisory or management level. 

Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrates knowledge of and skills in:

South Florida ecology and ecological restoration principles

Practical natural resources management

Leadership and personnel management

Process improvement and organizational change

Diplomacy, relationship building, and customer relations 

Oral and written communication and strategic thinking

Consensus and confidence-building

Effective organizational skills

Licenses

Valid State of Florida Driver’s License.  Possession or ability to acquire a State of Florida Forest Service Prescribed Burn Manager Certification within 180 days of hire date.

Education/Experience Guide

Bachelor’s degree in biology, wildlife, agriculture, forestry, or a related natural science discipline with 10+ years of experience that demonstrates measurable career progression within the field of natural resources management.  Master’s of Science is preferred.  Previous experience with a county, state or federal natural resource management agency or a comparable organization whose mission includes the conservation and management of natural resources is preferred.  Florida Forest Service Certified Prescribed Burn Manager certification preferred.

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Physical Requirements/Working Environment

This position is a composition of office work with periodic professional or business meetings, and field work with regular exposure to hot, humid, and smoky environments in remote and/or heavily vegetated areas.

Due to the District’s response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position will, at times, be required to provide support before, during, and after major storm events and in emergency situations such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies depending on the assigned emergency response role.