Gopher Tortoise Program Lead

Lykes Bros. Inc; Town of Florida (NY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Lykes Ranch in Florida seeks a Senior Wildlife Program Manager to lead the gopher tortoise recipient site program, drive business development, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The role requires managing staff, forecasting sales targets, and maintaining client relationships while upholding SOPs and a strong safety culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Business Administration, or related field.
• Preferred 3–5 years of progressive program management, environmental consulting, or business operations experience.
• Valid driver’s license with insurability; Gopher Tortoise Agent License within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of the gopher tortoise recipient site program and own operational ownership.
• Issue contracts and reservation letters to new and existing clients; develop business relationships.
• Set annual sales targets, forecast demand, and determine pricing structures.
• Oversee tortoise pickup/delivery, habitat management and enclosure compliance.
• Supervise field staff, ensure safety SOPs, and act as SME for FWC’s Relocation Program.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Active listening

Time management

Professionalism

MS Office (Access & Excel)

Written & verbal communication

GIS mapping knowledge

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

Related field

Tools

GIS mapping

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Lykes Ranch located in Okeechobee, Florida

REPORTS TO

Senior Wildlife Biologist

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

JOB PURPOSE:

Perform functions to manage all aspects of the gopher tortoise recipient site program. Holds operational ownership and accountability for the program. This position manages personnel, drives business development, formulates revenue strategies, and executes regulatory compliance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible to acquire, learn and practice all LBI Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) and comply with these standards as well as safety regulations pertinent to the department and job functions.
• Serve as main point of contact for issuing contracts and reservation letters to all new and existing gopher tortoise clients.
• Develop and maintain relationships with both new and existing clients. Find and follow up on leads for potential customers. Formulate and implement business development strategies to generate revenue and manage costs.
• Oversee the financial health of the gopher tortoise program by establishing annual sales targets, generating market forecasts, and determining optimal pricing structures.
• Manage gopher tortoise pick up, deliveries, and release of tortoises. Manage soft enclosure compliance, construction, and maintenance.
• Manage data from all gopher tortoise deliveries and forecast sales targets. Invoice clients for tortoises received and manage accounts receivable.
• Plan, direct, and oversee gopher tortoise habitat management including prescribed burn planning and mechanical land management treatments.
• Manage, direct, and supervise the daily operational assignments of the technical field staff.
• Serve as the organization’s primary Subject Matter Expert for the FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Relocation Program.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Perform or assist with operations, as required to maintain workflow and to meet schedules and quality requirements.
• Participate in a variety of meetings and work groups to integrate activities, communicate issues, obtain approvals, resolve problems, and maintain specified level of knowledge pertaining to new developments, requirements, and policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Certificates, licenses, and registrations: Valid driver’s license with insurability.

• Have or obtain Gopher Tortoise Agent License within 6 months of hire.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills to build lasting business relationships.
• Excellent listening skills to ensure both internal and external customers’ needs are fully understood.
• Time management skills to prioritize and follow up with customers effectively.
• Represent Lykes with professionalism and courtesy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Access and Excel, and other specialty software.
• Excellent written, verbal, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of GIS mapping systems preferred.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Maintain open and positive communications with team members and supervisors.

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Business Administration, or a related field required. Preferred 3–5 years of progressive program management, environmental consulting, or business operations experience.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: Regularly required to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time. The individual must be able to effectively communicate and hear. Will be occasionally required to reach above shoulder level, step up on a small ladder or stool, walk on uneven surfaces, stoop, and kneel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision. Will occasionally require to lift up to 50 pounds.

The characteristics described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Management has the right to assign or reassign the description to this job at any time.