Environmental Lands Prescribed Fire Program Manager (CELM)

Job Overview

• Responsible for implementing all aspects of prescribed fire across the department’s 80,000+ acres of managed lands, with the primary focus being the 64,000 acres of preserved land acquired through the County’s Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP). Supervises Environmental Lands Management Section staff who perform a variety of ELAPP land management services including prescribed burning, exotic plant control, ecological monitoring, site security, trails maintenance, and GIS services.

Salary Minimum: $77,001.60- $100,102.08 Core Competencies Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of the customers and provide the highest standards of service. Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.

Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations. Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Establish goals, objectives and policies for the Wildland Fire Team as well as convey the management philosophy of the County and Department to nine (9) permanent staff members. Implement and monitor bi-annual operating budget for the Wildland Fire Team.
• Oversee the recruitment, selection, and ongoing support of management staff at all organizational levels. Direct and mentor specialized personnel, including environmental specialists and technicians, on diverse operational and technical matters. Monitor and evaluate work schedules and program performance, ensuring quality and efficiency. Implement and enforce employee discipline in accordance with organizational policies.

Receive, evaluate and respond to input from the general public and staff; incorporate same in improving public service and management of conservation lands. Conduct public meetings and presentations upon request.

• Develop and implement multiple capital restoration and management projects on department lands that meet program objectives. Provide guidance and recommendations for related CIP and R3M projects.
• Conduct monthly meetings and prepare agenda with senior Environmental Lands Management Section staff.
• Conduct weekly meetings with all Wildland Fire Team staff.
• Conduct site visits to evaluate prescribed fire needs and success.
• Assist in the coordination of special events and projects on ELAPP lands to include local sponsors and volunteers.
• Coordinates with other agencies, organizations, groups and businesses to develop or enhance partnerships, identify funding sources, and exchange information.
• Prepares and presents oral and written reports to County staff and operational work units, other agency staff, students, teachers, consultants, and the public.

Meets with the public, both in the office and in the field to explain County procedures, and the various aspects of the ELAPP.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications Knowledge of prescribed fire and Ability to attend prescribed fire training, become a Florida Certified Prescribed Burner, lead burns, and maintain certification. Knowledge of preserve locations and access points. Knowledge of safe and proficient operation of tractors and similar heavy equipment.

Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of others. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to follow safety procedures and technical directions. Ability to safely operate power tools such as power saws, trimmers, mowers, etc. Good interpersonal relations skills with public and co-workers

Critical Thinking: A high degree of analytic ability and inductive thinking is required to devise new, non-standard approaches to highly intricate, technically complex problems. Policy, procedure, or precedents are typically created by this position. Decision Making: Highly Complex: Manager is available to review established departmental and/or County objectives. Independent judgment is required to recommend departmental or sectional objectives, evaluate new approaches to problem solving, and assess changing facts or conditions.

Communication: Requires regular contacts with internal and external people of importance and influence. Involves considerable tact, discretion and persuasion in obtaining the cooperation of others. Requires the handling of delicate relationships and complex situations. Strategic Planning: Involves planning at both the department and section level. The scope of planning is typically complex and involves multiple financial, operational, and programmatic issues. The focus is on both short and long-term planning.

• Managerial/Operational Skills: Responsible for making recommendations within a section in the areas of staff selection, disciplinary action, complaints, staff performance appraisal, and similar managerial duties. Plans, assigns, and evaluates the work of subordinates for effective operation and results.
• Leadership: Involves departmental and countywide leadership on issues that routinely affect the surrounding community in a demonstrable way from both a short and long-term perspective.

Physical Requirements This is an outdoor position that involves heat (prescribed fire), flames, smoke, noisy equipment and inclement weather on occasion. Ability to walk, climb, run, stoop, bend, stand, push, pull, and carry heavy items. Ability to work outdoors year-round in typical Florida conditions.

Weekend and evening work may be required. Work involves being around flames and smoke. This position may be required to report for work and work long hours during an emergency. Work Category Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Natural Science, or related field; AND Five years of field experience in in a position related to Ecology, Environmental Science or Natural Resource Management; OR An equivalent combination of education (not less than a high school diploma/GED), training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND

Must obtain within 6 months of employment valid Restricted Use Pesticide License-Natural Areas Category, and maintain throughout employment; AND Must pass basic firefighting training courses (s130, S190, L180) within 6 months of employment; AND Must obtain Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager certification within 1 year of employment, as directed, and lead prescribed burns.

​​​​​​​Emergency Management Responsibilities In the event of an emergency or disaster, an employee may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by the employee’s department, the County’s Office of Emergency Management, or County Administration. Such assignments may be for before, during or after the emergency/disaster.