The City of Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department has an opportunity for a Nature Operations Supervisor to join their Management team. This is a supervisory position responsible for the overall vision and stewardship of City of Gainesville’s 3,200 acres of Nature Parks. This includes duties related to: Habitat management and monitoring; prescribed burning; GIS; ecological forestry; knowledge of local flora and fauna; land acquisition; park development; staff supervision; planning and monitoring budgets; identifying, pursuing, and monitoring funding, identifying and allocating functional needs, equipment, materials, and supplies; communicating with the public including speaking before groups and media, and developing written materials such as press releases, brochures, and interpretive materials.
The Nature Operations Supervisor Plans, organizes, and schedules the activities and operations of assigned work section and/or nature education center within the Nature Operations Division. Performs timely, fair and non-discriminatory evaluations of performance of employees under his/her supervision. Recommends selection, promotion, discharge, and other appropriate personnel actions. Represents the City at public meetings, onsite meetings and at other venues to provide information and obtain community input and support for divisional programs and services. This may include, and is not limited to, leading tours, being interviewed by the media, reviewing special use requests, speaking at schools and other higher learning institutions and delivering subject matter expert presentations. Manages assigned projects to include contacting contractors, soliciting bids and quotes, developing scopes of work, participating in onsite planning or project review meetings, orienting and overseeing staff or contractors working on said projects. Prioritizes projects using best available science, facility and natural resource conditions, and with input from staff, stakeholders, and management. Assists Nature Operations Division Manager with preparing the annual division budgets. Prepares grant applications, tracks grant expenditures and hours, and completes required reports. Develops, revises or assists in developing and revising department, division, section, and nature center/park level policies and operating procedures. Uses GIS technology to integrate data, identify site location and prepare maps. Coordinates and/or participates in activities associated with prescribed burn programs in nature parks. Performs field work, including but not limited to natural resource sampling and environmental evaluations. Responds to emergency calls on nights and weekends. Responsible for ensuring the safety of staff, natural areas and facilities in nature operations. Supervises the maintenance of assigned nature center and/or facilities.
To be considered for this position, you must have:
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, ecology, ecological restoration, forestry, environmental education, natural resource management, wildlife ecology or other closely related field; and
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible natural resource program administration experience to include one (1) year of leading or supervising experience.
o A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, ecology, ecological restoration, forestry, environmental education, natural resource management, wildlife ecology or other closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the non-supervisory work experience.
• Valid driver license required upon start date. Valid Florida driver license required within 30 days of appointment and at all times while employed in this position.
Required Certifications:
• Florida Prescribed Burn Manager Certification is required upon start date.
• Completion of S-130 Firefighter Training and S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior is required upon start date.
• American Red Cross certification (or equivalent) in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid is required upon start date.
NOTES:
• National Recreation and Parks Association certification as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is required within 12 months of start date.
• May establish an eligibility list
• May fill multiple positions
• May require assessment(s)
Join a team who serve a stewards to protect and interpret the importance of natural and cultural resources to engage and inspire our community now and for generations to come.
Job Description
SUMMARY
This is supervisory and administrative work planning and directing the activities of a designated work section or nature center within the Nature Operations Division.
The single position allocated to this classification reports to the Nature Operations Division Manager and works under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its knowledge of biology, forestry, and natural science, as well as, supervisory responsibility for nature parks and trails to include facility and park development, programs, operations and maintenance.
EXAMPLES OF WORK*
*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job. Performance of lower level duties may be required.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Plans, organizes, and schedules the activities and operations of assigned work section and/or nature education center within the Nature Operations Division.
Performs timely, fair and non-discriminatory evaluations of performance of employees under his/her supervision.
Recommends selection, promotion, discharge, and other appropriate personnel actions.
Represents the City at public meetings, onsite meetings and at other venues to provide information and obtain community input and support for divisional programs and services.
This may include, and is not limited to, leading tours, being interviewed by the media, reviewing special use requests, speaking at schools and other higher learning institutions and delivering subject matter expert presentations.
Manages assigned projects to include contacting contractors, soliciting bids and quotes, developing scopes of work, participating in onsite planning or project review meetings, orienting and overseeing staff or contractors working on said projects.
Prioritizes projects using best available science, facility and natural resource conditions, and with input from staff, stakeholders, and management.
Assists Nature Operations Division Manager with preparing the annual division budgets.
Reviews expenses and monitors budget throughout the fiscal year.
Prepares grant applications, tracks grant expenditures and hours, and completes required reports.
Develops, revises or assists in developing and revising department, division, section, and nature center/park level policies and operating procedures.
Uses GIS technology to integrate data, identify site location and prepare maps.
Coordinates and/or participates in activities associated with prescribed burn programs in nature parks.
Performs field work, including but not limited to natural resource sampling and environmental evaluations.
Responds to emergency calls on nights and weekends.
Responsible for ensuring the safety of staff, natural areas and facilities in nature operations.
Supervises the maintenance of assigned nature center and/or facilities.
Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.
NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
May act in absence of supervisor.
Provides assistance to other nature parks and/or nature education center in the absence of the other supervisor.
Recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers who assist in the activities of the nature parks.
Advises other City departments and divisions on natural resource-related matters.
Attends meetings and trainings held by professional associations and organizations to keep current in field and maintain certifications.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, ecology, ecological restoration, forestry, environmental education, natural resource management, wildlife ecology or other closely related field; and three (3) years of progressively responsible natural resource program administration experience to include one (1) year of leading or supervising experience.
A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, ecology, ecological restoration, forestry, environmental education, natural resource management, wildlife ecology or other closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the non-supervisory work experience.
CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES
Licenses
Valid driver license required upon start date. Valid Florida driver license required within 30 days of appointment and at all times while employed in this position.
Certifications
Florida Prescribed Burn Manager Certification is required upon start date.
Completion of S-130 Firefighter Training and S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior is required upon start date.
American Red Cross certification (or equivalent) in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid is required upon start date.
National Recreation and Parks Association certification as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is required within 12 months of start date.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of Florida plants, animals, and natural communities.
Knowledge of the principles, theory, and practices of nature park administration and maintenance.
Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methods of natural resource management including wetlands, wildlife, forestry and ecology.
Demonstrated knowledge of personal computers and related departmental software.
Working knowledge and skill in use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and global positioning system tools.
Knowledge of grant sources and application procedures.
Knowledge of governmental budget procedures.
Knowledge of real estate transaction procedures.
Ability to prepare reports.
Ability to plan, assign, delegate and direct work of administrative and supervisory personnel.
Ability to administer and manage a city-wide system of nature parks.
Ability to develop short-term plans and programs and to evaluate work accomplishments.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by emotional intelligence and the ability to interact collaboratively and productively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds including elected and appointed government officials, Charter Officers, City employees, representatives of other agencies, and the general public.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit for prolonged periods of time.
Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential job functions, including the ability to walk on uneven terrain and to lift, carry, push or pull 50 pounds without assistance.
Requires the ability to use personal protection equipment including hearing, eye, foot, hand and head protection.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Requires the performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions including heat, humidity, biting insects, invertebrates, and vertebrates, as well as stinging and poisonous plants.
Requires local travel and may include out-of-state, as well as overnight travel.
Requires working and attending meetings outside of normally scheduled hours, including nights, weekend and holidays.
Requires the ability to work safely with hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to: incendiary fluids, gasoline, motor oil, herbicides, and maintenance chemicals.