Natural Resources Coordinator

Assists with planning, coordination, and implementation of programs and projects related to the coastal and terrestrial environment such as sea turtle conservation, beach restoration, artificial reefs, beach and marine debris removal and reduction, tourism/recreation, sustainable marine fisheries, tourism outreach/education, environmental protection, sustainability and restoration initiatives. • Assists with the sea turtle conservation program such as nest surveys, educational outreach content, volunteer coordination assistance, beachfront lighting surveys, sea turtle stranding and salvage response, relevant research opportunities and partnerships, public awareness and engagement, and working with partners to enhance efforts. • Performs marine debris removal and reduction duties such as beach cleanups, underwater cleanups, and applying for grants or funding opportunities to assist with removal and reduction efforts. • Assists with planning, development, and implementation of programs to protect, enhance, and restore natural resources and foster ecotourism and related activities. • Plans and attends special projects and events aligned with natural resources initiatives, sea turtle conservation, marine debris removal and reduction efforts, and other related natural resources. • Establishes and nurtures productive working relationships with academic, non-government, non-profit organizations and regulatory and government agencies who have direct influence on County natural resource projects. • Collects pertinent environmental data to assess the overall status of resources. • Develops and presents educational and outreach programs for and in collaboration with various environmental resource related groups. • Researches and seeks opportunities to obtain grants related to environmental recreation, environmental protection and restoration, marine debris removal and reduction, sea turtle conservation and protection, beach restoration and environmental education; prepares grant applications and administers projects. • Applies knowledge of principles, practices, methods and terminology of natural and environmental resource management to areas of responsibility. • Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations and permitting requirements as related to County natural and environmental resource activities. • Assists with development of departmental budget, policies, and procedures and other data documenting activities. • Supports program operations outside of normal business hours, to include long days, occasional evenings, and some weekends. • Responsible for assisting with coastal system preparedness and recovery during natural and manmade disasters affecting coastal systems. • Collaborates on initiatives and programs with land and coastal resources teams, Keep Okaloosa Beautiful, and the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program. • Supports other natural resource initiatives which may include inshore/offshore water-based activities (lionfish monitoring and removals, artificial reef deployments, etc.), fish and wildlife surveys, habitat restoration, and topic-specific outreach and education. • Performs other duties as assigned. Education, Training, and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Environmental or Natural sciences or a closely related field, supplemented by two (2) years of environmental experience in planning, program evaluation, project management, and/or research/analysis; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Knowledge and experience of the unique Northwest Florida ecosystems is preferred. Experience with environmental protection and restoration initiatives is preferred. Experience operating all-terrain vehicles in off-road environments is preferred. Must have excellent writing, public speaking and organization skills. Licenses and/or Certifications: Requires a valid driver license. SCUBA diving certification is required.Physical Requirements: Requires the ability to operate office equipment, to include computers, copy/fax machines, and any related peripherals. This position requires long periods of walking and standing over rough and uneven surfaces, and ascending/descending ladders, stairs, ramps, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Requires full range of body motion, to include bending at the waist and full use of lower extremities and back muscles. Must be able to traverse irregular, uneven, and/or erratically moving surfaces frequently. Requires the ability to work for sustained periods of exposure to outside atmospheric conditions. Must be able to tolerate open water conditions on a vessel. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work. Language Ability: Requires the ability to communicate effectively in English, including the ability to convey, record and exchange information; requires the ability to explain procedures and to give, receive and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to read a variety of moderately complex technical data, policy and procedure manuals, codes, professional journals. Requires the ability to prepare forms and reports using prescribed formats, and adhering to all rules of grammar, spelling, diction and punctuation. Requires the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical and/or professional languages used within the parameters of the job. Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical and scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret a variety of technical instructions in written, mathematical or diagrammatic form; to make independent judgments; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Requires the application of moderate to long range planning principles and techniques. Requires the application of principles of influence systems and synthesis functions. Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, multiply and divide, use decimals and determine percentages; determine weight; compute discount, profit and loss, ratio and proportion; interpret graphs; perform statistical calculations. Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with frequent deadlines. Requires the ability to exercise consistent tact and courtesy in frequent contact with various professionals, county staff, and the general public.

Salary : $25 - $40