Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Coordinator

Performs professional-level program coordination, public education, community outreach, water conservation, regulatory protection, and communication including social media activities for the Department. Implements the County’s Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) and related water-resource programs to promote efficient water use, responsible landscape practices, groundwater protection, and compliance with water-resource regulatory objectives. Serves as the primary liaison between HCUD and UF/IFAS Extension, residents, businesses, schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders. Works independently and exercises good judgement in coordinating programs, managing multiple priorities, communicating with the public, and organizing crucial environmental reporting.The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but shall not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

Educational Programming

• Design, develop, coordinate, and deliver countywide educational initiatives promoting Florida-Friendly landscaping principles and responsible water use.
• Promote practices that reduce unnecessary water consumption and help protect groundwater, springs, surface waters, and other environmentally sensitive resources.
• Assist HCUD in addressing water conservation objectives through targeted education of high-water-use customers and other priority audiences.
• Prepare the annual FFL program report and document the program's community and environmental impacts.

Community Outreach and Public Representation 

• Design, coordinate, and deliver educational material and presentations to property owner associations, garden clubs, condominium associations, civic organizations, businesses, schools, professional organizations, and the public.
• Coordinate and secure presentations and qualified speakers for the monthly Hernando County Water Awareness Series.
• Organize and produce the annual Springs Protection and Water Conservation Student Calendar.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with community partners and stakeholders whose activities directly or indirectly affect local water conservation and environmental protection.

Public Information and Digital Communication 

• Manage updates, edits, announcements, and special notices for the Hernando County Utilities Department website and social media platforms.
• Develop and coordinate social media content and advertising supporting water conservation, public education, community events, and FFL initiatives.
• Maintain the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program webpage and social media presence. 
• Develop brochures, flyers, advertisements, educational materials, and other public information resources, including graphic design, editing, and content development.

Regulatory and Permit Support

• Prepare and maintain activity reports associated with the County's NPDES permit requirements and the HCUD Water Use Permit.
• Maintain documentation necessary to demonstrate completion of water conservation and public education activities.
• Reviews all applications for water restrictions variances, closely working with the applicants to resolve any issues or revisions necessary to make a successful outcome for the applicant. Submits recommendations to the water resource manager and utilities director for final approval.
• Collect, organize, and maintain information regarding reported wateringrestriction violations received through public email reporting systems.
• Track reported violations and assist with verification of compliance and outcomes.
• Assist with the review and updating of applicable sections of Chapter 28 of the Hernando County Ordinances relating to water conservation and related requirements.

• Performs other reasonable related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or other management personnel.

Emergency Response 
County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description. Employees may request an exemption from this requirement by submitting the appropriate exemption form, subject to review and approval.Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED). 
• Bachelor's degree in horticulture, environmental science, natural resources, water resources, communications, education, public administration, or a related field is preferred.

A combination of education, training and experience may be substituted at the County's discretion.

Licenses, Certifications, or Registrations

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License or must obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida and be insurable by current insurance carrier, or valid Florida Identification Card is acceptable only for positions not required to drive a county vehicle.
• Must have or be able to obtain certification within three (3) months of employment in FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses:
  • IS-100.c: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)
  • IS-200.b: ICS for Single Resources & Initial Action Incidents
  • IS-700.b: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

Required Competencies

• Experience with Florida landscaping practices, horticulture, water conservation, environmental education, natural-resource management, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate community-based educational programs.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate environmental and water-resource concepts to both technical and general audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver professional presentations to small and large groups.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs, deadlines, stakeholders, and reporting requirements simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare professional written reports, educational materials, public communications, and program documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment while operating within County policies, procedures, ordinances, permits, and regulatory requirements.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Requires sitting most of the day.
• The job involves frequent lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds, and occasionally up to 20 pounds.
• The job requires frequent bending, twisting, and occasional squatting, climbing, kneeling, and balancing.
• The job requires the completion of tasks that involve simple grasping, pushing, pulling, fine manual manipulation, and typing.
• The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, depth perception and color vision, hearing, and speaking.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel Requirement

• Occasional to moderate travel may be required, sometimes involving personal vehicles or overnight stays for meetings, training, or to visit other office locations.

Pay Grade: 6
Salary Disclosure: Pay rates are based on policy, education, skill, experience level and internal equity.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Hernando County BOCC provides to veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.

PLEASE REVIEW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND COMMUNICATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION/RESUME. MINIMUM REQUIEMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED.
All applications will be carefully reviewed to evaluate qualifications and overall suitability for the position. The relevance, scope, and length of related work experience, training, and education outlined in the application and resume will be considered during the screening process. Selected applicants will be contacted to participate in interviews. Candidates are encouraged to clearly document all pertinent experience, including relevant knowledge, skills, or abilities gained outside of traditional employment, in the additional information section of the application.

Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.

Hernando County is a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with Federal and Florida State Law. 

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must provide notification to the BOCC in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.