Natural Resources Management Specialist I

The Natural Resource Management Specialist I is a multifaceted position within the Environmental Resources Department (ERD), Lands/Natural Resources Management Division, reporting to the Natural Resources/Lands Manager. The position supports land management and wildland fire management operations, including prescribed burning, wildfire response, habitat restoration, and stewardship of County-owned conservation lands, preserves, greenways, and trails. The role requires field-based work under physically demanding and environmentally challenging conditions and participation in emergency and non-emergency incident response.Land and Natural Resource Management

• Perform land management activities to preserve and protect County natural resources.
• Conduct habitat enhancement and restoration projects, including invasive plant removal and native replanting.
• Maintain property boundaries, fencing, signage, and conduct regular patrols.
• Collect ecological field data and maintain databases for monitoring and reporting.
• Assist with planning, development, and implementation of land management projects.
• Construct and maintain passive recreational and ecotourism infrastructure on conservation lands.
• Interpret natural and historic resources for public education and outreach.

Wildland Fire Management

• Participate as a member of a coordinated Wildland Fire Operations team.
• Conduct prescribed burns and assist with wildfire detection, prevention, suppression, and mitigation.
• Prepare sites and equipment to ensure fire readiness and maintain firebreaks.
• Perform mechanical vegetation treatments (e.g., forestry mowing, roller chopping).
• Educate and notify the public before and after fire operations and support fire prevention events.
• Operate within the Incident Command System (ICS) during fire and all-hazard incidents.

Equipment Operation and Maintenance

• Operate, coordinate, and maintain light and heavy equipment, including fire engines, bulldozers, tractors, ATVs, chippers, chainsaws, fire pumps, and herbicide applicators.
• Coordinate with helicopter contractors during fire operations (coordination only).
• Safely operate County vehicles, boats, machinery, and specialized field equipment.
• Perform routine inspections, maintenance, and troubleshooting of equipment and tools.

Project and Program Support

• Assist with project management, including scope development, contractor coordination, bid support, scheduling, and quality control.
• Prepare maps, charts, reports, and other work products using GIS and office software.
• Support volunteer, contractor, and inmate crew supervision.
• Respond to emergency incidents as required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:This position requires the ability to perform strenuous physical work, including heavy manual labor; frequent walking, standing, climbing, kneeling, bending, squatting, and reaching; and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing 30–50 pounds or more. The employee must have sufficient vision, hearing, and dexterity (with or without reasonable accommodation) to safely operate vehicles, machinery, tools, and equipment; read maps and instruments; communicate clearly; and prepare written documentation. The position requires successful completion of annual fitness/pack testing, pulmonary function testing, and respiratory fit testing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND WORK HAZARDS: Work is performed primarily outdoors year-round under variable and often hazardous conditions, including extreme heat, sun exposure, smoke, fire, and inclement weather. The position involves exposure to machinery, motorized equipment, herbicides, insects, wildlife, toxic plants, and other environmental hazards, as well as inherent risks associated with wildland fire operations and emergency response. Required personal protective equipment must be worn in accordance with ANSI, OSHA, NWCG, NFPA, and departmental safety standards.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT & PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE): Employees are required to use all personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the task and in accordance with ANSI, OSHA, NWCG, NFPA, and departmental safety standards. This includes seat belts when operating vehicles; required PPE for machinery and tool operation; chainsaw PPE such as chaps, helmet with face shield and hearing protection, safety goggles, and protective boots; and full wildland fire PPE including fire-resistant clothing, helmet, gloves, boots, fire shelter, and respiratory protection. When providing first aid or CPR, employees must use appropriate bloodborne pathogen (BSI) protective equipment, including medical gloves and breathing barriers.  Additional requirements include:

• Safety Training: All employees will receive training on the proper use and maintenance of safety equipment and PPE to minimize risks and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Inspection and Maintenance: Employees are responsible for regularly inspecting their PPE for wear and tear, and reporting any damaged equipment to their supervisor for replacement.
• Emergency Equipment: Familiarity with the location and use of emergency equipment, such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and eyewash stations, is required.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES: 
County employees are considered essential personnel in providing and continuing services to our community during and following a disaster, such as a hurricane, or in other emergency situations. As a requirement of County employment, County employees are subject to being required to remain at work during an event, respond to a recall immediately following an event and/or immediately reporting to work when an all clear is declared by the County Administrator.  During these types of events, County employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:  
This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. The County has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
St. Lucie County BOCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws.
St. Lucie County BOCC is a Drug-Free Workplace. The County requires all applicants who are provided with a conditional offer of employment to successfully complete pre-employment drug testing as a condition of hire. A positive test result or refusal to test will result in withdrawal of the employment offer.Candidates should possess a solid foundational background that demonstrates their ability to engage with the responsibilities of the role effectively.

• Associate degree in biology, botany, forestry, or a related natural resources field and two (2) years of experience in land management and wildland fire operations, including prescribed fire and wildfire response; comparable training may substitute; OR four (4) years of relevant land management and wildland fire operations experience in lieu of education.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record; Florida Class B Commercial Driver’s License required within one (1) year of hire.
• NWCG Wildland Firefighter Type 2 certifications (S-130/190, L-180, I-100, I-700, RT-130) and CPR/First Aid certification required within one (1) year of hire.
• Natural Area/Wetland Herbicide Applicator License preferred.
• Knowledge of land and natural resource management, wildland fire management and prescribed burning, Florida ecosystems, invasive plant control, and applicable environmental regulations.
• Knowledge of equipment operation, safety standards, maintenance practices, and Incident Command System (ICS/NIMS) operations.
• Proficiency with office software, GIS/GPS applications, and field data collection and reporting tools.
• Ability to safely operate County vehicles, boats, light and heavy equipment, machinery, and hand tools.
• Ability to work in physically demanding, high-stress environments, including extended hours, emergency response, and adverse weather conditions.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including public interaction and preparation of technical reports.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage projects; meet deadlines; work independently or collaboratively; and coordinate volunteers, contractors, and crews.

Pay Grade: G07

Driving Position – Operating County vehicles and/or equipment is a primary function of this position.
  
PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING: This position requires a physical, drug testing, driver's license verification and level 1 background screening.