Provides technical assistance to private forest landowners in management of timberland to maximize profits and sustained yield; provides advice on timber marking and volume estimation and the sale of forest products.  Provides technical assistance in implementation of federal cost-share programs, site preparation and tree planting procedures, investment analysis, timber stand improvement methods, diagnosis of forest insect and disease outbreaks and other related forest factors.  Responds to homeowners’ requests for analysis of shade tree and ornamental tree diseases and provides information on methods of prevention and control. 

Provides technical assistance to county commissions, municipalities and other county and city agencies for forestry related issues as requested. 

Provides wildfire and emergency response support as directed.  Assists in the development of smoke management, wildfire prevention, prescribed fire, pre-suppression burning plans and hazardous fuels mitigation.  Assists in the enforcement of Florida’s open burning laws and regulations.  Provides administrative maintenance of case records, correspondence, work plans, expense accounts and other office records.

Utilizes mass media systems such as newspapers, radio and television to keep the public informed of developments in the forestry and conservation fields.  Provides forest landowners and local schools with information and assistance pertinent to environmental education through workshops and instruction at environmental education centers.

This position may be required to assist with Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) work.

Performs other duties as assigned.

The Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Program (https://talltimbers.org/fire-ecology-program/) is looking to hire a full-time position for a one-year appointment beginning as soon as possible. The position is on-site as the duties will involve both local field work in the Red Hills Region of northern Florida and southern Georgia and travel to other states the southeastern U.S. The position provides the field work component of a remote sensing project aimed at improving methods of mapping fire-maintained native pine communities in the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain in locations ranging from North Carolina to Louisiana. Field work will involve determining the on-the-ground conditions at point locations to train and validate remote sensing analyses. Work will also involve management and analysis of GPS and GIS data in collaboration with a Tall Timbers geospatial analyst and will include other field, lab, and office work as needed. The position provides the opportunity to co-author peer-reviewed publications stemming from the research. The selected applicant will be employed by Tall Timbers Research, Inc. and based out of Tall Timbers Research Station in Tallahassee, FL. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. There is the possibility of extending the position beyond one year upon obtaining further funding. 

Salary and benefits

Salary for the position will be $55,000 annually. Health care and dental insurance are mostly covered. 

Supervision

The position will be supervised by Dr. Kevin Robertson, Fire Ecology Program Director, krobertson@talltimbers.org.  

Position responsibilities

·       Conduct field work in the Red Hills Region of northern Florida and southern Georgia and in multiple states from North Carolina to Louisiana to observe on-the-ground conditions to validate remote sensing analyses. Work will require learning plant identification and having a basic understanding of southeastern U.S. natural communities and their fire ecology. 

·       Assist with data management and analysis. 

·       Assist with composition and editing of papers for peer-reviewed publication. 

·       Assist with related research projects in the Fire Ecology Program, which may include vegetation mapping, GIS analysis, prescribed burning, and other duties as assigned. 

·       Assist with mentorship, training, and supervision of undergraduate student researchers.

·       Participate in occasional Tall Timbers service and outreach activities. 

Desired qualifications

·       Masters degree (preferred) in biology, ecology, forestry, wildlife, environmental studies, or related field 

·       Work experience in field research and willingness to work under strenuous outdoor conditions of the southeastern U.S. 

·       Willingness to travel independently to remote field sites including overnight trips 

·       Technical writing skills 

·       Proficiency in basic data management and word processing software, with R programming skills desired 

·       Experience in mentoring and supervising undergraduate student researchers. 

To Apply:

Email a cover letter expressing your interest in the position, curriculum vitae, college transcripts, and contact information for three professional references to krobertson@talltimbers.org. The deadline to apply is July 31, although we will consider extending the deadline as needed to hire an appropriate candidate. Any questions about the position or application process should be directed to Kevin Robertson at krobertson@talltimbers.org. 

About Tall Timbers 

The mission of Tall Timbers is to foster exemplary land stewardship through research, conservation, and education. Our primary research focus is the ecology and management of fire-dependent ecosystems and wildlife with a focus on the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain. Tall Timbers Research Station has 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) of land as well as 9,000 acres (3,600 acres) at Livingston Place an hour's drive away from the main station where field studies can be conducted. Tall Timbers Research Station is located approximately equidistant among the cities of Tallahassee, FL (pop. 200,000), Thomasville, GA (pop. 19,000), and Cairo, GA (pop. 10,000). Tallahassee is home to the Florida state government, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College. 

Tall Timbers is a committed equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and rejects racism, prejudice, discrimination or hate toward any race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, national origin, veteran status, socioeconomic class, religion, or professional status. We strongly encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups and those that add to and engage the local communities.

Organizational Overview

The mission of the Indian River Land Trust (IRLT) is to protect, improve, provide access to, and promote the preservation of waterways, open spaces, and green places in Indian River County for the benefit of all today and tomorrow. First established in 1990 to save McKee Botanical Garden, in 2009 the Indian River Land Trust began working to Protect the Land that Protects the Lagoon. Since that time, IRLT has protected 1,300 acres and 12 miles of Indian River Lagoon shoreline. IRLT continues to promote the conservation of the Indian River Lagoon and other areas throughout Indian River County by preserving habitat, protecting the scenic waterfront and providing access for public recreation and education. Protected land provides important benefits including the opportunity for residents to learn about and enjoy the natural environment to take advantage of protected lands and waterways to enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, and observing an abundance of fish and wildlife.

Position Summary

The Land Acquisition Coordinator is a new, full-time position created to help increase the rate of conservation within Indian River County with a focus on strategic conservation of priority lands identified in IRLT’s Strategic Conservation Planning Tool (2023). Under the guidance of the Executive Director, the Land Acquisition Coordinator supports the permanent protection of the County’s high-value natural resources, including important waterways, wildlife habitat, lands critical for ecological services, public drinking water resources and lands important for public access.

The Land Acquisition Coordinator will work as part of an internal land acquisition team, including the Executive Director, Land Stewardship staff and outside counsel. The Land Acquisition Coordinator will assist with engaging other non-profits and county, state and federal agencies to develop effective working relationships and conservation projects. The Land Acquisition Coordinator assists with contacting and meeting with landowners within priority areas of the IRLT Strategic Conservation Plan, builds and maintains relationships with community partners, and helps prepare local, state and federal grants and foundation proposals. The Land Acquisition Coordinator is central to the land acquisition process, grant administration, due diligence and closing of projects.

Position Responsibilities

Land Acquisition

·         Coordinate conservation transactions from start to finish, including facilitation with field evaluations, project assessments, legal counsel, and coordination with partners.

·         Coordinate effective working relationships with private landowners and, together with the internal land acquisition team, participate in the negotiation of gifts or purchases of land and conservation easements.

·         Conduct preliminary evaluations of potential conservation projects; coordinate communications with targeted landowners within priority focus areas through mailings, phone calls, programs, and other means.

·         Coordinate drafting of conservation easements to meet requirements of landowner, funding partner, and easement holder; handles outside services with surveyors, appraisers, engineers and lawyers.

·         Assist with management of grants for selected conservation projects from a variety of local, state, and federal funding programs, and private foundations; help establish and manage project budgets.

Land Acquisition Coordinator

Indian River Land Trust

Vero Beach, FL

Position Responsibilities (continued)

Community Relations

·         Attend meetings of the County’s Environmental Land Program Panel and related County meetings.

·         Work cooperatively with communities, government agencies and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

General and Administrative

·         Maintains records consistent with IRLT’s internal policies, practices, and activities.

·         Participates in organization-wide events and IRLT committees as assigned.

Position Qualifications

·         Preferred, but not required - Bachelor’s degree in natural resources (wildlife, ecology, forestry, conservation biology, environmental/land use planning, land use law or related fields), together with internship or summer experience in related field of study.

·         In lieu of Bachelor’s degree - Minimum of AA degree (or other comparable formal education-training program) and some experience in conservation or natural resource work. 

·         Preference for individuals with some experience in negotiating and managing land acquisitions, other land conservation techniques, or similar real estate transactions.

·         Familiarity with or the ability to learn about and interpret, legal documents, maps, boundary surveys, natural

resource inventories, and other related materials.

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills and careful attention to detail.

·         Ability to manage multiple projects that require varying processes and the requirement of collaborating  with partners and governmental agencies.

·         Proficient with Microsoft Office suite; familiarity with or the ability to quickly learn and use ArcGIS and related mapping tools.

This position offers an attractive compensation package that includes a competitive base salary, an excellent

employee benefits plan, a business casual workplace and relocation assistance for out-of-market candidates.

For immediate confidential consideration, please contact:

Katie Zahn | Senior Search Consultant

Mobile: 904 – 434 - 1790 | Email: Katie@SterlingSearchJax.com