Environmental Specialist III

RiseMe; Nokomis (FL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life Insurance

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Flexible Spending Accounts

Florida Retirement System (FRS)

11 paid holidays

3 personal days

16 paid vacation days in first year

Job summary

Sarasota County Government seeks an Environmental Specialist III to lead environmental resource management in coastal areas and supervise landscape contractors, ensuring safe, clean, and visually appealing park spaces.

You will manage land and waterway projects, coordinate with agencies, and support vegetation control and education efforts, contributing to community resilience and conservation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field and 3 years of professional experience.
• Master’s degree may substitute for one year of professional experience.
• State of Florida pesticide applicator license with Natural Areas endorsement or ability to obtain within 6 months after hire.
• Pre-employment substance screening required.

Responsibilities

• Lead habitat improvement projects, invasive species control, ecological surveys, park improvements, derelict vessel removal, and artificial reef initiatives.
• Serve as liaison with internal departments and external agencies regarding derelict vessels, waterway access, and navigation issues and improvements.
• Maintain field equipment (boats, GPS, small equipment) and assist in prescribed fire operations as needed.
• Develop and distribute environmental education materials and provide public outreach and technical assistance.
• Inspect landscape maintenance work performed by contractors at Siesta Beach Park for quality, safety, and contract compliance.
• Submit or verify work orders, review payment justifications, and assist in landscape-related project planning.

Skills

Environmental science experience

Field survey & habitat management

Contract oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental sciences, or related field

Master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience

Tools

Florida pesticide license (Natural Areas endorsement)

Coast Guard boater safety certifications

Lawn and Ornamental applicator endorsement

Wildland fire S-130/S-190 certifications

Scuba diving certification

Job description

Department: Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Are you passionate about the environment and looking to make a difference in the community? The Environmental Specialist III role is responsible for leading environmental resource management initiatives within coastal environments while also overseeing contracted landscape maintenance services. This role supports both environmental stewardship and operational excellence by leading land and waterway management projects and providing oversight of landscape contractors to maintain safe, clean, and visually appealing park spaces. Benefits begin within 60 days of hire, and there are opportunities for advancement. and know that your work impacts generations to come!

About the Position

In this role, you will...

• Lead habitat improvement projects, invasive species control, ecological surveys, park improvements, derelict vessel removal, and artificial reef initiatives.


• Serve as liaison with internal departments and external agencies regarding derelict vessels, waterway access, and navigation issues and improvements.


• Maintain field equipment (boats, GPS, small equipment, etc.) and assist in prescribed fire operations as needed.


• Develop and distribute environmental education materials and provide public outreach and technical assistance.


• Inspect landscape maintenance work performed by contractors at Siesta Beach Park to ensure quality, safety, and contract compliance.


• Maintain accurate inspection reports, provide contractor feedback, and collaborate with Contract Managers on performance reviews.


• Submit or verify work orders, review payment justifications, and assist in landscape-related project planning.


• Support vegetation control, minor planting oversight, and herbicide application tracking within assigned areas.


• Perform outdoor fieldwork using small equipment such as chainsaws, trimmers, and sprayers to support land/vegetation management and maintenance tasks in varying site and weather conditions.


• Conduct public outreach by providing education on coastal natural resources, responding to community inquiries, supporting civic and agency partnerships, and coordinating with media and volunteers to promote division goals.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.


• Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (no weekends!)


• As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field -AND- three (3) years of professional experience.


• -OR- A master’s degree may substitute for one year of professional experience.


• -OR- Progressively responsible professional experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree.


• State of Florida pesticide applicators license with an endorsement in Natural Areas or the ability to obtain within 6 months after hire (we can help with this!)

Preferred Qualifications:

• United States Coast Guard boater safety certifications.


• Limited Lawn and Ornamental applicator endorsement.


• Wildland fire certifications in S-130 and S-190.


• Scuba diving certification.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening:This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five years.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $58,947.00/annually

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!


• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.


• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.


• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.