General Information

Natural Resources
Resource Management
1704 99th St NW, Bradenton, FL (Robinson Preserve)
7:00 am – 5:30 pm, Wednesday - Saturday

Providing quality customer service to our citizens, business owners and visitors is Manatee County Government’s top priority, and that starts with our employees. We value Accountability, Civility, and Ethics in everything we do, and we look for friendly, innovative employees who share those values.

The Resource Management Division was established to conserve and protect natural and cultural resources under the ownership and/or management of Manatee County while maintaining and restoring the ecological integrity of the historic native ecosystems. This program manages and maintains over 30,000 acres contained in 16 public preserves in the county. The Resource Management staff continually work to restore or enhance disturbed and degraded areas of our county conservation lands to their native condition by using natural processes of prescribed burns in combination with mechanical cutting and clearing. Invasive, non-native plant species which negatively alter natural plant communities are removed by select application of herbicide. Water resource protection is a primary factor in land management and land use decisions.

A unique thing that this Ranger I position offers is that every day is different, and the duties are very diverse. This position will spend a lot of time working outdoors in our west county preserves controlling exotic species, interacting with visitors, and providing maintenance to our various facilities. This position involves both independent work and group projects.

Manatee County strives to be an employer of choice and most of our employees turn jobs into long term careers with great benefits.

• Comprehensive benefits package – Your Choice Manatee Health Plan
• Generous vacation/sick leave, 11 paid holidays
• Florida Retirement System (FRS)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Autonomy to grow and find your career path with supportive leadership

Job Description

What You Will Do

• 
  Participates in all aspects of land management activities, including prescribed fire, mechanical treatment, restoration efforts, and herbicide applications.
• Politely interacts with the public to provide education, answer questions or complaints, and enforce rules when needed.
• Assists in landscaping, trail trimming, and debris removal.
• Uses GPS technology to survey for invasive plants.
• Operates equipment such as tractors for land management work.

Who You Are

• Ability to identify or willingness to learn how to identify invasive plants of Florida for treatment.
• Good customer service skills exhibiting patience and understanding.
• Highly collaborative and willing to work with a team.
• Very flexible with daily tasks
• Ability to withstand long days working outside in the Florida heat.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1 or more years of experience in conservation, land management, natural resource management, or a related field.
• Valid Florida Pesticide Applicator License with Natural Areas Endorsement required or must obtain within 1 year of hire.
• Must complete Arduous or Moderate Pack Test within one year of hire and annually prior to June 1st each fiscal year.
• Must successfully complete the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Curricula within one year of hire, including Firefighter Training (S-130), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), and ICS 100/200.
• Valid driver license required, with valid Florida driver license required within 30 days of hire.

Desired Skills

• Ability and willingness to work outside in the heat and other strenuous conditions.
• Excellent customer service skills for interacting with preserve visitors.
• Ability to follow daily instructions with great attention for detail.
• Experience in invasive plant management including spraying and mapping.
• Experience working with volunteers and visitors in natural settings.
• Ability to lead projects for other staff or volunteers.

A comparable combination of education, training, and work experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.