Vegetation Management Specialist (0306)

Work for Our Water Resources.

Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Operations Bureau

Support the District’s Operations Bureau in this fun and rewarding role. As the Vegetation Management Specialist, you will locate, identify, and treat invasive plant infestations on District managed waterbodies and properties to fulfill the District's Natural System Management Area of Responsibility. This opportunity offers an ability to make an impact on the organization and provides flexibility and a true work-life balance. You’ll have the chance to work with a wide range of teams in this promising position, each of which plays a vital role in our efforts to preserve our most valuable natural resources. Using your expertise, you’ll play an important role in enhancing the results to ensure a brighter future for the environment of Florida.

District employees are offered an excellent total rewards package that includes:

Florida Retirement System (FRS) (employer 13% contribution + employee 3%) 9 paid holidays (+ 1 floating holiday)Generous vacation and sick leaveMedical and dental insurance (91- 97% District paid)Vision insurance Deferred compensation ProgramBasic and voluntary life and AD&D insuranceLong-term disability (District Paid) Prescription drug coverage & mail order program Health savings & flexible spending accountsFlexible schedule for Work-life balanceLegal and Identity Theft protectionWellness programPublic service loan forgiveness qualified employerTuition reimbursement ($5,250/year)State adoption benefit qualified employerEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) Transfer in years of service for other public sector work – towards the FRS program and sick time

Compensation

Maintenance and Trades Technician 2: $15.20 - $19.38

Maintenance and Trades Technician 3: $16.19 - $20.64

The starting hourly range is included for the Maintenance and Trades Technician profile which reflects the minimum to approximately 50% of the respective pay grade. The starting salary will be based on the education and experience of the successful candidate. The District conducts annual performance evaluations that may award applicable pay increases based on positive employee performance.

Essential Functions

Identify and utilize herbicides to treat invasive plant infestations on District managed waterbodies, canal systems and properties using airboat, truck, UTV and backpack sprayers.Utilize Survey 1 2 3 Mobile App, GPS and ArcMap devices and software to document survey status and condition class of established land management units and to document plant infestation levels, species and treatment data.Locate sites requiring treatment using contracted labor.Develop project scope of work.Conduct pre-quote site visits with contractors.Function as project site manager.Communicating with staff/contractors/other governmental agenciesCoordinating treatment timing/efforts with assigned land managerOperate computers and be familiar with Microsoft Products (Outlook, Word and Excel)Develop written property-specific, invasive plant control prioritization plans.Establish prioritized lists of invasive plants to be controlled.Safely operate and maintain assigned field equipment including airboats, UTV, spray equipment and vehicles.Complete required equipment/safety training and attend professional training classes to earn required continuing education unit credits to renew pesticide applicator license.Assist with controlled burns.

Working Conditions

Physical, Visual Acuity Requirements: Medium to Heavy Work, Vehicle, Climbing, Balancing, Stooping, Kneeling, Crouching, Crawling, Reaching, Standing, Walking, Pushing, Pulling, Lifting, Fingering, Grasping, Talking, Hearing

Working Environmental Conditions: Both Inside and Outside, Noise, Vibration, Hazards, Hiking, Herbicides, Bites, Remote, Weather, Power Tools, Wading, Boat, Feral

Work is performed in the field (85% field / 15% office), often in remote and undeveloped areas of the District and on managed waterbodies. May be exposed to extremely hot, humid weather conditions, mosquitoes and other pests. Work activity consists of continuous repetitive tasks using hands and feet (such as operating a handheld spray gun, chopping trails with a machete, dragging up to 300’ of spray hose through various terrain, wading in water while wearing chest/hip waders, loading/unloading an airboat and UTV, walking long distances, and operating a backpack sprayer). Must be able to lift and carry 30-pound objects such as backpack sprayer, with an occasional requirement to lift and carry objects weighing up to 60 pounds. Work may be conducted independently or as a crew.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee may be subject to call-in outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including on nights, weekends or holidays, to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.

Required Credentials For Vegetation Management Specialist Opportunities

Maintenance and Trades Technician 2

High School Diploma or EquivalentTwo (2) years related work experienceWillingness and ability to obtain Florida Pesticide Applicator License in the Aquatics or Natural Areas Weed Management category within six (6) months of date of hireValid driver’s license

Maintenance and Trades Technician 3

High School Diploma or EquivalentThree (3) years related work experienceWillingness and ability to obtain Florida Pesticide Applicator License in the Aquatics or Natural Areas Weed Management category within six (6) months of date of hireValid driver’s license

Preferred Credentials For Vegetation Management Specialist Opportunities

Florida Pesticide Applicator License in either Aquatics or Natural Areas Weed Management categoryAirboat Operator CertificationArcMapFirefighter S-190, S-130, S-131 Type 1, S-131 Advanced FirefighterFirst Aid & CPRDefensive drivingAdvanced ChainsawATV certificationFire Extinguisher certification

Application Process

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, the District employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the required District application for the purpose of qualification. Applicants who are within 30 days of graduation, if selected are not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met.

Additional Details

This position is typically scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, out of the Brooksville, FL office. This position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime for hours worked over 40 hours, in a week.

Travel Required

Yes. Some travel, using District vehicle, within District's coverage area.

Accepting applications until May 1, 2024 at 4:00 PM

About Us

Managing the water resources for west-central Florida, our district includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.

Apply Now

The District prides itself on providing a positive work flexible environment that engages and supports our employees. This could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Click on the link to apply and put yourself to work for our water resources.

#WorkForOurWater

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses.

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only), ext. 4747; or email ADACoordinator@WaterMatters.org. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA.

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.