Work for Our Water Resources.

Help protect one of Florida's most vital resources - water - with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public's water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Land Resources Bureau

Support the District's Land Resources Bureau in this exciting and challenging role. The primary purpose of the Land Manager position is to oversee the resource management and stewardship of District-owned conservation lands purchased by the Southwest Florida Water Management District to protect, preserve, and restore the state's water resources. As an Environmental Scientist supporting the Land Management section, you will provide subject matter expertise for all land management actions considered and implemented in the Land Management section, including but not limited to, drafting and implementing land management plans, monitoring natural communities for management needs, planning and conducting prescribed burns, overseeing and prioritizing maintenance of infrastructure on District conservation lands, developing and implementing restoration and enhancement projects, writing scopes of work and managing contractors, overseeing compatible recreational opportunities on assigned lands, leading tours, presenting to stakeholders, evaluating the feasibility of special use requests, monitoring easements and leases, and evaluating tracts of land proposed for acquisition. This opportunity offers an ability to make an impact on the organization and provides flexibility and a true work-life balance. You'll have the chance to work with a wide range of teams in this promising position, each of which plays a vital role in our efforts to preserve our most valuable natural resources. Using your expertise, you'll play an important role in enhancing the results to ensure a brighter future for the environment of Florida.

The District supports employees who prefer flexible schedule so that they can enjoy their time outside of the District through work-life balance. Come build a career that is challenging, fulfilling, and helps support the District's mission to protect Florida's water resources.

District employees are offered an excellent total rewards package that includes:

Florida Retirement System (FRS) District Total Contribution 13.63%
9 paid holidays (+ 1 floating holiday)
Generous vacation and sick leave
Paid Parental Leave, including Maternity, Bonding and Family Supportive Work Program
Medical and dental insurance (91- 97% District paid)
Vision insurance
Deferred compensation Program
Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
Long-term disability (District Paid)
Prescription drug coverage & mail order program
Health savings & flexible spending accounts

Flexible schedule for Work-life balance
Legal and Identity Theft protection
Wellness program
Public service loan forgiveness qualified employer
Tuition reimbursement ($5,250/year)
State adoption benefit qualified employer
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Transfer in years of service for other public sector work - towards the FRS program and sick time

Compensation: $46,134.40 - $52,470.29

The starting salary range for the Environmental Scientist position reflects the minimum to 25% of the compensation. The starting salary will be based on the education and experience of the successful candidate. The District conducts annual performance evaluations that may award applicable pay increases based on positive employee performance.

Essential Functions

Provide guidance for all land management actions considered on assigned lands
Assist in development and implementation of land management plans consistent with District goals, strategies, and objectives in compliance with Florida Statutes
Understand and apply environmental policies, regulations, and guidelines
Develop and implement annual burn plans for assigned properties
Monitor natural communities for management needs and effects of management activities
Evaluate District conservation lands for potential natural systems restoration and enhancement projects
Submit budget requests to support proposed projects, prepare contracts, develop scopes of work, and oversee contractors
Develop and provide oversight for compatible recreational activities on District conservation lands
Utilize GIS to track and monitor land management activities, generate metrics, and assist in planning within the land management geodatabase

Working Conditions

In-office: Standard office environment and equipment such as personal computer, copier, etc. Occasional travel may be required. Ability to perform continuous repetitive tasks (to include keyboarding and driving) with one or both hands and feet is required.

In-field: Work performed in the field may often be in remote and undeveloped areas of the District, under adverse weather conditions. Extensive travel and some outdoor labor may be required. May be exposed to extremes in elements, temperature and humidity and to a variety of pests, including mosquitoes and ticks. Must be able to able to bend, lift, carry, swim, and reach above shoulder level. May occasionally require the ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Must be able to operate a motorized vehicle for extended periods, some driving may be in off-road (4x4) conditions. Should be able to operate all terrain vehicles (ATV) and watercraft. Must be able to trailer equipment, load and unload relatively heavy and cumbersome field equipment. Must be able to hike relatively long distances carrying sampling equipment, cruising and marking timber, or conducting prescribed burns in remote and rugged terrain.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee may be subject to call-in outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including on nights, weekends or holidays, to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.

Required Credentials for Land Manager

Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Forestry, Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Conservation, Environmental Science, or related field
Valid driver's license

Preferred Credentials for Land Manager

Advanced degree in a related field
Experience in the public sector managing conservation lands
Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manger
Experience and knowledge of:
- Wildland Fire and its effects on Florida's natural communities
- Development of complex natural systems restoration and enhancement projects
- Drafting and implementation of land management plans
- Managing leases
- Leading work teams and projects
- Federal and state policies governing conservation lands

Application Process

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, a District employment application. Any application that is not complete will not receive consideration for the position. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the information requested on the application for purposes of qualification. Exceptions may be granted for those applicants who are within 30 days of graduation. If selected, candidate is not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met.

Additional Details

This position is typically scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Tuesday to Friday, out of the Brooksville or Tampa, FL office. This position is eligible for compensatory time for hours worked over 40 hours, in a week.

Travel Required

Yes. Some travel, using District vehicle, within District's coverage area.

Accepting applications until December 2, 2024 at 4:00 PM

About Us

Managing the water resources for west-central Florida, our District includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.

Apply Now

The District prides itself on providing a positive work flexible environment that engages and supports our employees. This could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Click on the link to apply and put yourself to work for our water resources.

#WorkForOurWater

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses.

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office Chief, at 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only); or email ADACoordinator@WaterMatters.org. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA.

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

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