Land and Environmental Programs Manager

Title: Land and Environmental Programs Manager

Reports to: Director of Land Management and Environmental Programs

Supervises: Assistant Land and Environmental Programs Manager, contractors, volunteers, and consultants

The Land and Environmental Programs Manager joins a team of intellectually curious, scientifically rigorous, hard-working, and interdisciplinary professionals who support the unique mission and vision of the Elling Eide Center, located in Sarasota, Florida.

This position is responsible for executing a comprehensive land management plan that protects, preserves, maintains, and restores the 72-acre nature preserve surrounding the Elling O. Eide Library, as well as supporting the Center's broader environmental programs. Significant program areas include environmental land management, restoration and enhancement, as well as horticulture of native, ornamental, and edible plants.

The Eide Preserve contains at least eleven land cover types, including Florida scrub and scrubby flatwoods that require prescribed burning. Leading a prescribed fire program at the Eide Center is an essential job duty.

Additionally, because the Eide Center exists at the intersection of conservation science and humanities scholarship, this position engages meaningfully with visiting national and international scholars, as well as diverse archaeological, historical, and cultural resources within the preserve.

ABOUT THE EIDE CENTER

The Elling Eide Center is a nonprofit research library, nature preserve, and cultural retreat located on 72 acres of rare coastal habitat in Sarasota, Florida. Named after scholar and preservationist, Elling Oliver Eide (1935–2012), the Center’s mission is to advance scholarly research in the humanities and environmental sciences with a particular emphasis on Asian studies. The Center houses one of the most significant private collections of East Asian literature in the United States, as well as one of the last remaining reserves of biodiversity in an increasingly urbanized Florida coastline. Their approach to scholarship, grounded in nature, provides students and scholars with a unique opportunity to address critical questions at the intersection of culture, climate, and conservation. More information about the Eide Center’s strategic initiatives may be found in the Case for Support.

At the heart of Elling’s vision for the Eide Center is the Eide Library, a private, independent, non-profit, non-circulating, research library. The Eide Preserve surrounds the library and grounds the collection, research, and operations in nature. Land management is guided by the Preserve Management Plan, v1.0.

Work is typically related to land management at the Eide Preserve or performing environmental programs in support of the Elling Eide Center, under the direction of the program Director. In general, work assignments include but are not limited to:

Primary Responsibilities (60-70% of time)

·      Daily preserve management and maintenance oversight

·      Plan, coordinate, and implement prescribed burns as Certified Burn Manager in urban interface context

·      Native plant nursery and arboretum maintenance, landscape management

·      Habitat monitoring and invasive species control

·      Contractor and volunteer coordination

·      Equipment operation including tractors, UTVs, mowers, and hand tools

·      Coordinate land management activities with visiting scholars and research programs

·      Protect and maintain archaeological features during all preserve operations

·      Occasionally support facilities and structures repair

Technical/Scientific Work (20-30%)

·      Documentation and data management

·      GIS mapping and analysis

·      Biotic surveys and monitoring

·      Report preparation and data analysis

·      Grant support and reporting

Strategic/Administrative (10-20%)

·      Management plan updates

·      Public outreach and education

·      Partnership development, including County, State, Federal and NGOs

·      Budgeting

·      Visitor researcher coordination

·      Infrastructure planning

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Education & Experience

·      Bachelor's degree in environmental science, ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or related field, with 4 years of progressive land/preserve management experience, including prescribed fire operations; OR associate’s degree with 6 years progressive experience in land/preserve management; OR 8 years demonstrated experience in habitat restoration and land stewardship.

·      Valid Florida driver's license with clean driving record

·      Ability to operate tractors, UTVs, and trailers

·      Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager; OR ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.

·      CPR/First Aid certification within 6 months of hire; Wilderness First Aid certification preferred.

·      FDACS pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain within 12 months of employment. (We can help)

·      Native plant identification and Florida ecosystems knowledge

Technical Competencies

·      Computer use, including Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office

Field Requirements

·      Physical ability to work outdoors 50-80% of time in heat, rain, and around wildlife

·      Ability to lift 50 lbs occasionally, 20 lbs frequently

·      Ability to pass moderate or arduous pack test and to pass on an annual basis.

·      Comfortable working in/around water, climbing equipment, bending, stooping, crawling

Professional Skills

·      Written and verbal communication for reports, grants, and public education

·      Project planning, prioritization, and timeline management

·      Contractor and volunteer coordination

·      Team management, support and training

·      Independent judgment and problem-solving in field situations

·      Agricultural, horticultural, or landscape design skills

·      Invasive species management using integrated pest management

·      Experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro

·      Understanding of environmental regulations and permitting

·      Data collection, analysis, and technical report writing

·      Completion of Basic Wildland Firefighting (S-130/190), Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290), Wildland Fire Chainsaws (S-112 or S-212) and completion of ICS 100-200 or the ability to obtain.

·      Ability to collect/evaluate scientific or technical data and create reports

·      Spanish language skills

·      Familiarity with East Asian cultures, history, languages, or humanities scholarship

·      Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration bridging environmental science and humanities

·      Experience with archaeological site preservation or cultural resource management

·      Ability to engage meaningfully with visiting scholars from diverse academic disciplines

·      Full Time, 40 hours per week

·      Generally, Monday-Friday, 7:30 am- 3:30 pm

·      Occasionally may be required to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as requested.

·      Attend special events (as needed)

Generally, outdoor field environment (50-80%) and indoor office work (20-50%). Performs strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions. Able to lift 50 pounds occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently. Required to drive vehicles as part of the duties of the job, e.g. tractor, golf cart, truck. Able to climb and descend equipment and ladders. Able to bend, stoop, crawl, and reach. The position requires visual acuity and depth perception as well as the ability to hear and identify sounds. Work in and around water.

·      Healthcare (company pays 90% of the annual cost), 100% Dental and Vision, and 3% company contribution to a Fidelity Simple IRA account with employee participation.

·      14 paid holidays and two weeks additional PTO after 90-day probationary period

·      Annual performance pay bonus for achieving personal and organizational goals

·      Opportunities for professional development and continued education

Negotiable based on experience