Natural Resources Associate
Post Date: 05/11/23 Company: Naples Botanical Garden
Job Description:
Organization Description
Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre world-class paradise, featuring the flora and cultures of the tropics and sub-tropics including Brazil, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Florida. The Garden’s mission is to connect people and plants through display, education, conservation, and applied science. The Garden has beautifully restored native habitats, cultivated gardens, walking trails, and public programming that offer education and enjoyment for people of all ages. Naples Botanical Garden is a 501(c)3 organization.
Natural Resources Associate Position Summary: This position will be responsible for executing tasks for the management and stewardship of the Garden’s 90 acres of restored ecosystems, stormwater ponds and gardens and the urban forest. This candidate will strive to protect and improve these habitats for the benefit of the plants, soil, water, wildlife, and people. Work experience in related fields is preferred and scientific training/education is preferred. Natural Resource Associates will be tasked with direct field work including land management, garden maintenance tasks, identifying and treating invasive and nuisance plant species, assisting with prescribed burns, and working with volunteers and interns.
Requirements
Natural Resources Associate Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Execute the daily management efforts of the natural areas, stormwater gardens, stormwater ponds and gardens, and urban forest gardens.
Diligently follow safe work habits and procedures and regulate peers to do the same.
Identify and control invasive and nuisance plant species within the natural areas using IPM strategies – including the use of herbicides via backpack sprayer, electric pump sprayer, and other equipment.
Support efforts to conduct prescribed fires in the Garden’s natural areas to include burn unit preparations, firebreak maintenance, prescribed burning, and mopping up.
Aid in the management and restoration of assigned areas with tasks such as planting, pruning, hand weeding, mowing, mulching, and pesticide use.
Execute habitat restoration activities using mechanical tools such as tractors, skid steers, excavators, mowers, chainsaws, and weed eaters.
Support efforts pertaining to wildlife control and monitoring.
Support Conservation and Natural Resources Team’s efforts to conserve regional flora and habitats through working both on and offsite.
Work alongside and/or lead volunteers/interns in assigned duties.
Ensure all departmental equipment is cleaned regularly, maintained, and stored properly.
Natural Resources Associate Skill Requirements:
Demonstrate a strong interest in plant conservation and natural resource management – and the ability to learn native and invasive plant species in South Florida.
Ability to function effectively as a member of a team as well as work independently.
Ability to gain and maintain a FL Pesticide Applicator License, certifications in S130/S190 Fire Training, and Wilderness First Aid Training.
Basic computer skills using Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word and Excel.
Capable of working long hours in an austere environment including wetlands, harsh sun, biting insects, extreme heat, and severe storms. Walk and inspect property in difficult terrain – Lift and carry objects and equipment up to 40 pounds for extended periods.
Flexible availability, with an ability to work evenings and weekends as the job demands.
Preferred: Minimum 1-year experience proficiently operating and maintaining power tools and machinery to include tractors and implements, excavators, skid steer, high brush mower, lawnmower, weed eater, hand power tools.
A pre-employment background check required.
Benefits:
Medical
Vision
Dental
Life Insurance
Paid Holidays
Retirement Plan
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability
PTO
Garden Perks.
Compensation: $16.00 hourly
Naples Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Garden has a long-standing policy of employment and advancement based solely upon qualifications to perform the essential elements of a position without regard to age, creed, gender, national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, HIV status, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, handicap or mental or physical disability.
