Natural Resources Associate 1

Naples Botanical Garden; Naples (FL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Retirement matching

Disability insurance

PTO

Paid Holidays

Garden perks

Job summary

Naples Botanical Garden in Naples, Florida, seeks a Natural Resources Associate to support on-site management of tropical habitats and conservation areas. You will assist the Natural Resources team with fieldwork, trail maintenance, habitat improvement, and data collection to inform conservation efforts.

Responsibilities include invasive species control, herbicide application, and coordinating with volunteers and researchers while maintaining equipment and adhering to safety certifications.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in natural resources, conservation, ecological restoration, land management, environmental science, or related field preferred.
• Willingness to complete and maintain certifications/licenses (Florida Pesticide Applicator, Wildland Firefighter, Wilderness First Aid, Interpretive Guide).
• Preferred experience with power tools and machinery (tractors, implements, excavators, skid steer, mowers, trimmers).
• Experience with geospatial data collection, ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123 preferred.
• Basic computer skills (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel).
• Knowledge of horticultural practices and native/invasive species; willingness to learn.
• Good verbal and written communication; able to work outdoors in heat/humidity.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily activities in the Garden's natural areas, stormwater gardens, and off-site conservation areas.
• Perform landscaping, trail maintenance, herbicide application, and invasive species control; support prescribed fire activities.
• Provide guidance to volunteers and assist visiting researchers; help collect environmental data for natural resource management.
• Ensure departmental equipment is cleaned, maintained, and stored properly.

Skills

Communication skills

Outdoor work endurance

Team collaboration

Willingness to learn

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Organization Description

Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre world-class botanical garden, featuring plants from around the tropical and subtropical world. The Garden’s mission is to connect people and plants through display, education, conservation, and applied science. The Garden has beautifully restored native habitats, cultivated gardens, walking trails, and public programming that offer education and enjoyment for people of all ages. Naples Botanical Garden is a 501(c)3 organization.

Description

Salary Requirements: $17.74 hourly

Classification: Non-exempt

Organization Description

Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre world-class botanical garden, featuring plants from around the tropical and subtropical world. The Garden’s mission is to connect people and plants through display, education, conservation, and applied science. The Garden has beautifully restored native habitats, cultivated gardens, walking trails, and public programming that offer education and enjoyment for people of all ages. Naples Botanical Garden is a 501(c)3 organization.

Position Summary

The Natural Resources Associate position will act as a member of the Garden’s Natural Resources team, under the direction of the Natural Resources Manager, supporting the Garden’s mission to conserve plants and habitats of the tropics and inspire the protection of nature. The Natural Resources Associate will support the management of all on-site natural and created ecosystem areas through direct field work.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

The Natural Resources Associate will work in the daily management activities of the Garden’s natural areas, stormwater gardens, urban forest display gardens, and off-site conservation areas; duties include landscaping tasks, trail maintenance, herbicide application, invasive species management & prescribed fire activities. In addition:

• Support training, interpretation, and educational outreach on plant conservation, natural resource management, prescribed fire, and native and nuisance wildlife to a wide range of staff, students, professionals, and other audiences.
• Support efforts to collect and manage environmental data toward a goal of bringing science to natural resource management.
• Provide direction to volunteers and collaborative support to visiting scientific investigators.
• Ensure all departmental equipment and resources are regularly cleaned, maintained, and stored properly.

Requirements/Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in natural resources, conservation, ecological restoration, land management, environmental science, or a related field preferred.
• Willingness to complete and maintain relevant certifications and licenses, including Florida Pesticide Applicator’s licenses, Basic Wildland Firefighter Certification, Wilderness First Aid Training, and Certified Interpretive Guide Training.
• Preferred minimum 1-year experience proficiently operating and maintaining power tools and machinery, including tractors and implements, excavators, skid steer, high-brush mower, lawn mower, string trimmer, and hand or power tools.
• Experience with geospatial data collection, preferably in ArcGIS applications including FieldMaps and Survey123 is preferred.
• Basic computer skills using Microsoft Office – Outlook, Teams, Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of common horticultural techniques, common native and invasive plant species, and a variety of south Florida habitats or a willingness to learn.
• Good verbal and written communication skills, enthusiasm, and a desire to learn.
• Willingness and ability to work outdoors in a hot and humid environment.
• Possess a commitment to the Garden’s mission of connecting people with plants.
• Organized and motivated with a strong work ethic.
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.
• Pre-employment background check required.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan with matching
• Short-Long Term Disability
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Garden Perks

Naples Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Garden has a long-standing policy of employment and advancement based solely upon qualifications to perform the essential elements of a position without regard to age, creed, gender, national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, HIV status, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, handicap or mental or physical disability.