The Sr. Specialist is a staff member of the Stewardship and Field Programs Department (SAF) of The Nature Conservancy’s Florida Chapter. SAF is responsible for implementing and managing field conservation work (e.g., wildland fire management, invasive species management, and wetland restoration) across Florida and for stewardship of the Florida Chapter’s network of preserves. TNC’s Central Florida preserves are part of the statewide Center for Conservation Initiatives (CCI) and include Tiger Creek (TCP), Disney Wilderness (DWP), Saddleblanket Scrub (SBSP), Venus Flatwoods (VFP). The position is based out of Tiger Creek Preserve. These preserves and this position are integral to CCI and its mission. The Sr. Specialist performs and participates in land management efforts with an emphasis on TNC preserves and with conservation partners in the surrounding landscape. They are responsible for ensuring that all stewardship related activities comply with TNC’s, local, state, and federal requirements. They serve as part of SAF’s Central Florida Program (CFL) team and are supervised by the CFL Land Conservation Manager.

 

The Sr. Land Conservation Specialist provides technical leadership and support to the Florida Chapter and participates in fire management and other stewardship activities. The Sr. Specialist addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning among conservation community, and supplies conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process. They develop and implement conservation strategies and strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities.  The Sr. Specialist engages in community support, ensures the maintenance of preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and coordinates multiple projects, serves as a training cadre member in CCI and partner stewardship courses, sets deadlines, and manages completion.

 

• Participates in the development and implementation of land management and monitoring projects on TNC’s Central Florida Preserves- based out of Tiger Creek Preserve with an emphasis on ecological land management programs. Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context. Supervises designated stewardship staff, interns, and volunteers. This includes the following functions:

Natural Resource Management (40%)

• Participates in a leadership capacity as a fire crew member during prescribed burns and wildfires. Requires minimum TNC training and health standards for prescribed burning at the arduous level.  For Florida: annual 45-pound pack test result of 45 minutes or less. Requires NWCG 310-1 training for Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1). Works toward Engine Boss (ENGB) This requires the regular use of ignition devices, fire control hand tools, and operation of engines or tractor/tanker equipment.
• Implements invasive species control techniques toward goals aligned with land management plans
• Performs a lead role as a member of Central Florida’s Ecosystem Support Team- assisting partners with prescribed fire operations, collection of monitoring data and records in accordance with grant deliverables for reporting.
• Leads work teams (stewardship staff, interns and volunteer groups) on stewardship implementation projects on preserves and Hatchineha Ranch workdays
• Assists with rare species and biological monitoring
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

Preserve Operations (40%)

• Maintains tools and equipment- including a fleet of vehicles, tractors and all-terrain vehicles.
• Maintains preserve infrastructure; roads, trails, firebreaks, signage, boundary posting etc.
• Operates heavy machinery
• Conducts public outreach, including leading field trips and volunteer workday
• Leads and assists with resource management training (invasives/fire) in support of CCI
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Administers grants and contracts
• Supervises contractors.
• Opens and closes preserve to the visiting public
• Works with other stewardship staff to provide site security across TNC lands in central Florida
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Staff & Volunteer Supervision (10%)

• Supervises preserve stewardship staff and interns with responsibility for performance management, training, and development.
• Recruits and hires staff and interns

TNC partnerships and engagement development (10%)

• Participates in regional land management partnerships such as;
  • LWREWG- Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Working Group
  • FLEPPC- Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council
  • CFLPFC- Central Florida Prescribed Fire Council
  • HLIT – Heartland Local Implementation Team