Job Type: Full-time, on-site
Location: Elling Eide Center - Sarasota, Florida
Pay: Negotiable based on experience
Description:
The Land and Environmental Programs Manager joins a team of intellectually curious, scientifically rigorous, hard-working, and interdisciplinary professionals who support the unique mission and vision of the Elling Eide Center, located in Sarasota, Florida.
This position is responsible for executing a comprehensive land management plan that protects, preserves, maintains, and restores the 72-acre nature preserve surrounding the Elling O. Eide Library, as well as supporting the Center's broader environmental programs. Significant program areas include environmental land management, restoration and enhancement, as well as horticulture of native, ornamental, and edible plants. The Eide Preserve contains at least eleven land cover types, including Florida scrub and scrubby flatwoods that require prescribed burning. Leading a prescribed fire program at the Eide Center is an essential job duty.
Additionally, because the Eide Center exists at the intersection of conservation science and humanities scholarship, this position engages meaningfully with visiting national and international scholars, as well as diverse archaeological, historical, and cultural resources within the preserve.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Work is typically related to land management at the Eide Preserve or performing environmental programs in support of the Elling Eide Center, under the direction of the program Director. In general, work assignments include but are not limited to:
Primary Responsibilities (60-70% of time):
Daily preserve management and maintenance oversight
Plan, coordinate, and implement prescribed burns as Certified Burn Manager in urban interface context
Native plant nursery and arboretum maintenance, landscape management • Habitat monitoring and invasive species control
Contractor and volunteer coordination
Equipment operation including tractors, UTVs, mowers, and hand tools
Coordinate land management activities with visiting scholars and research programs
Protect and maintain archaeological features during all preserve operations
Occasionally support facilities and structures repair
Technical/Scientific Work (20-30%):
Documentation and data management
GIS mapping and analysis
Biotic surveys and monitoring
Report preparation and data analysis
Grant support and reporting
Strategic/Administrative (10-20%):
Management plan updates
Public outreach and education
Partnership development, including County, State, Federal and NGOs
Budgeting
Visitor researcher coordination
Infrastructure planning
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in environmental science, ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or related field, with 4 years of progressive land/preserve management experience, including prescribed fire operations; OR associate’s degree with 6+ years progressive experience in land/preserve management; OR 8+ years demonstrated experience in habitat restoration and land stewardship.
Valid Florida driver's license with clean driving record
Ability to operate tractors, UTVs, and trailers
Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager; OR ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
CPR/First Aid certification within 6 months of hire; Wilderness First Aid certification preferred.
FDACS pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain within 12 months of employment. (We can help)
Native plant identification and Florida ecosystems knowledge
Technical Competencies
Computer use, including Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office
Field Requirements
Physical ability to work outdoors 50-80% of time in heat, rain, and around wildlife
Ability to lift 50 lbs occasionally, 20 lbs frequently
Ability to pass moderate or arduous pack test and to pass on an annual basis.
Comfortable working in/around water, climbing equipment, bending, stooping, crawling
Professional Skills
Written and verbal communication for reports, grants, and public education
Project planning, prioritization, and timeline management
Contractor and volunteer coordination
Team management, support and training
Independent judgment and problem-solving in field situations
Desirable Qualifications:
Agricultural, horticultural, or landscape design skills
Invasive species management using integrated pest management
Experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro
Understanding of environmental regulations and permitting
Data collection, analysis, and technical report writing
Completion of Basic Wildland Firefighting (S-130/190), Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290), Wildland Fire Chainsaws (S-112 or S-212) and completion of ICS 100-200 or the ability to obtain.
Ability to collect/evaluate scientific or technical data and create reports
Spanish language skills
Familiarity with East Asian cultures, history, languages, or humanities scholarship
Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration bridging environmental science and humanities
Experience with archaeological site preservation or cultural resource management
Ability to engage meaningfully with visiting scholars from diverse academic disciplines
Schedule:
Full Time, 40 hours per week
Generally, Monday-Friday, 7:30 am- 3:30 pm
Occasionally may be required to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as requested.
Attend special events (as needed)
Working Conditions:
Generally, outdoor field environment (50-80%) and indoor office work (20-50%). Performs strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions. Able to lift 50 pounds occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently. Required to drive vehicles as part of the duties of the job, e.g. tractor, golf cart, truck. Able to climb and descend equipment and ladders. Able to bend, stoop, crawl, and reach. The position requires visual acuity and depth perception as well as the ability to hear and identify sounds. Work in and around water
To Apply:
1) Please send the following materials to careers@ellingoeide.org: a. Resume b. Cover Letter 2) Please include the job title in the subject line. 3) Please indicate in the email body where you saw this job opportunity.
