This is a new position that's just opened to coordinate a growing invasive
plant control program working on private and public lands. Please see
contact information below if you have questions or would like to apply.
Cheryl Millett
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE: Central Florida
Invasive Plant Coordinator
JOB FAMILY: Conservation
JOB NUMBER: 450004
JOB GRADE: 5
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SUPERVISOR: Invasive Species
Coordinator
LOCATION: Babson Park, FL
DATE PREPARED: April 12, 2007
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Central Florida Invasive Plant Coordinator will develop, manage, and
advance conservation programs, plans, and methods for small-scale and
large-scale ecoregions. Provides technical leadership and support to the
Florida Chapter and public and private land managers in central Florida,
with regards to invasive non-native plants. This may include the following
functions:
· Addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual
species
· Fosters cross-site learning among conservation community
· Develops and implements conservation strategies
· Employs a full range of protection tools to acquire varying
degrees of legal interest in land and implements a variety of strategies to
secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities.
· Coordinates community support
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
This position has currently identified financial support for two years from
date of hire, and no guarantees can be made that the position will extend
beyond that date. However, The Nature Conservancy is an employer at will and
the employment relationship may end at any time.
This position will take the lead role in The Nature Conservancys continued
implementation of the Central Florida Lygodium Strategy (CFLS), a
cooperative, comprehensive approach to stop the spread of Old World climbing
fern (Lygodium microphyllum) and Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum)
in central Florida.
· Coordinate the Florida Chapters Central Florida Lygodium Strategy
(CFLS), including the following duties:
- Write and support funding proposals to support the continued
implementation of CFLS
- Work with partner agency and organizations to identify priority
areas for control of Old World climbing fern in its northern Florida range.
Identify ownership of lands infested with climbing fern
- Maintain a database of private land control projects and
coordinate information with other databases such as the Florida Natural
Areas Inventory and the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Working Group
- Coordinate meetings with private landowners, requesting their
participation and obtaining legal authorization, conducting site assessments
of their properties, collecting GPS data, entering project data and
coordinating control work with contractors
- Conduct pre-treatment site assessments with the contractors and
the landowner in order to assure that all parties are aware of the area to
be treated, landowner granting permission, Conservancy representative, and
contractor representative
· Ensure the coordination of invasive plant control work on private
lands and other managed lands with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP) Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, Upland Invasive Plant
Regional Working groups and other regional invasive plant working groups,
including, but not limited to:
- FDEP East Central Working Group, Mosquito Coast Working Group,
West Central Working Group, Suncoast Working Group, Withlacoochee Working
Group
- Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Working Group
· Manage contract(s) for invasive plant control services
professional, licensed and insured contractor with proper licensing (e.g.,
FDACS Natural Areas Pesticide Applicator, Federal Technical Service
Provider).
· Working knowledge of invasive species prevention, early detection,
containment, and control techniques and an in-depth understanding of the
ecological impacts of invasives.
· Conduct site inspections to identify invasive plant infestations,
assess extent of problem and work with private landowner and appropriate
agency/organization to devise solution.
· Directly apply for (or work with government agencies to apply)
regional grants for invasive plant control
· Assist private landowners to apply for site-based grants for
invasive plant control.
· Work with agencies and university or agency cooperators to
facilitate the distribution of approved biological control agents onto
private lands.
· Develop collaborative working relationships among state and
federal agency partners that deal with invasive plant issues in central
Florida (FDEP, FDACS, FFWCC, USFWS, NCRS, local governments, etc.)
· Ability to safely implement integrated pest management methods for
control of invasive, non-native plants and other nuisance plants, including
chemical (herbicide) and manual treatments. Will be required to obtain
Florida Certified Pesticide Applicator license with category (21) for
licensing of Commercial applicators of herbicides in natural areas within 6
months of hire.
· Ability to maintain and safely operate equipment, hand and power
tools and demonstrate the ability to operate off-road 4x4 vehicles.
Experience with equipment and must have valid drivers license and safe
driving record.
· Assists with other activities of The Nature Conservancys Tiger
Creek Preserve office and with the duties of the Florida Chapter Invasive
Species Coordinator as time permits
· Familiarity and knowledge of central Florida conservation issues,
organizations, and programs preferred.
· Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
· Bachelors degree and 3-5 years experience in natural resource
management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
· Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and
guide activities.
· Ability to communicate and work closely with scientists.
· Work with media and influential officials, especially
governmental, to improve Conservancy programs outcomes.
· Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
· Demonstrated experience communicating effectively with the public
and/or media.
· Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
· Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while
delivering quality results.
· Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g. ArcGIS,
Word, Excel, Web browsers). Familiarity with GIS, including ability to
utilize data to create appropriate maps.
· Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical
means in English and other relevant languages.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
· Coordinates multiple projects with several variables, setting
realistic deadlines and managing timeframes.
· Interprets guidelines, evaluates information, and modifies
processes to adapt to changing circumstances.
· Compiles data, resolves disparities, and modifies processes to
generate plans.
· Resolves routine issues independently, consulting with supervisor
to develop plans for resolution of complex and unusual problems.
· Cultivates and develops creative ideas to improve conservation
strategies.
· Applies diversified knowledge of scientific principles and
practices to a variety of assignments.
· Negotiates complex agreements in political environments.
· Identifies and disseminates lessons learned, best practices and
methods, tools, consistencies and inconsistencies across plans.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
· Ability to make sound decisions for TNC is the following areas
(legal, financial, conservation, reputation).
· Makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and
judgment.
· Performs tasks with minimal supervision.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
· May supervise administrative and professional staff with
responsibility for performance management, training, and development.
· May lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns, and
volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
· Will need to gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish
program goals.
· Financial responsibility will include working within/managing a
budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors,
assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
· Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external
requirements.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
· Networks with diverse groups, including land owners, conservation
partners, government officials, donors, board members, and the general
public, to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy
efforts.
· Provide a variety of information to staff and others, contributing
to conservation projects and assisting workflow throughout the organization.
· Work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people,
including scientists, preserve staff, and others, providing and obtaining
needed information.
· Collaborates with a wide range of conservation partners to
identify research needs, present technical concepts at national or
international conferences, and support fieldwork.
· Provides training for internal and external colleagues on
ecological and conservational scientific principles
· Ability to simplify and explain the principles of conservation
science and practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
· Communicates strategic project goals and objectives.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult
and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
These conditions:
· require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain
· present frequent possibility of injury
· require long hours in isolated settings
TO APPLY, SEND COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO:
Catherine Farley, Science Administrative Assistant
222 S. Westmonte Drive, Suite 300
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Fax: (407) 682-3077
No phone calls please.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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Cheryl Millett
Biologist
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(863) 635-7506, ext. 205 (Office)
(863) 443-0263 (Cell)
(863) 635-6456 (Fax)
nature.org The Nature Conservancy
LWR Office
P. O. Box 630
Babson Park, FL 33827-0630
