Major Functions
The County of Volusia is seeking an Activity Project Manager/Chief of Land Management for the Resource Stewardship division. The Activity Project Manager/Chief of Land Management is responsible for planning, directing, and managing all activities involving operations of the land management program and recreational amenities on 11 county preserves. The incumbent will supervise and coach a team of professionals and lead management on over 38,000 acres which is expected to grow with new property acquisitions under the Volusia Forever program.
Note: Incumbents assigned to this classification are at-will and serve at the discretion of the county manager.
Illustrative Duties
(Note: These are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.)
-
Plans, directs, and coordinates staff in the completion of land management activities including recreation planning and facility maintenance.
-
Leads an exciting fire management program including prescribed fire and wildfire activities, developing and accomplishing annual burning goals.
-
Serves as the land management staff liaison for the Volusia Forever Advisory Committee and provides support and valuable input to the growing land acquisition program.
-
Coordinates all meetings associated with the land management program. Attends meetings representing the resources stewardship director as needed.
-
Administers and directs all resource management activities and functions of the land management program.
-
Develops and implements management plans on county managed conservation lands.
-
Makes presentations at community organizations, workshops, board meetings, and review committees.
-
Prepares, implements, and monitors annual activity budget. Makes recommendations, provides input, looks for efficiencies and administers overall land management budget.
-
Reviews and analyzes the programs’ financial data (i.e. track expenditures of all grants and coordinate reporting with the Finance Department) and use Lucity software and dashboards to inform decision-making.
-
Develops and implements ideas for revenue generation and enhancement.
-
Develops and implements management plans and procedures, and participates in the formulation of policy, creating new plans as new properties are acquired.
-
Assists and advises division with developing short and long-term goals, and objectives.
-
Ensures corrective actions are taken for audit findings and program deficiencies.
-
Focuses on providing superior internal and external customer service. Responds to citizen request and concerns.
-
Leads and contributes to the solutions-oriented culture of the activity, division, and department.
-
May be assigned to other county locations based upon operational needs.
-
Attends work on a regular and consistent basis.
-
Must adhere to Federal, State, County and Local ordinances.
-
Assists with emergency situations including wildfires, hurricanes, or other disasters.
-
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Forest Resource and Conservation (or related field such as Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, Forest Science, Wildlife Ecology, Ecological Restoration), Business Management, Agribusiness, Natural Resource Policy and Administration and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience.
A comparable amount of related education, training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.
The preferred candidate, having met the minimum qualifications, shall have seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience with natural resource management, two (2) of which must be a supervisory position as well as experience with all aspects of land management activities, including prescribed fire, mechanical treatment, restoration efforts, and herbicide applications; current forestry management practices; land stewardship and ecological restoration practices; National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) guidelines for wildfire and prescribed fire management; land/resource management planning; and fire management planning, trail development and construction, interpretive education, and possession of a current Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager certificate.
Must possess a valid driver’s license at time of hire.
Must obtain a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire and maintain thereafter.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Detailed Knowledge of Florida vegetation, wildlife, ecology and habitats.
-
Knowledge and experience with prescribed fire, wildland fire suppression and fire ecology.
-
Knowledge and experience with habitat restoration.
-
Knowledge and experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and other mapping related software.
-
Knowledge and experience with passive recreational public use such as trails, camping, educational kiosks and other outdoor recreational uses.
-
Possession of or ability to obtain certification as Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager.
-
Ability to supervise, coach, and mentor team members to promote high team morale, accountability and focus on results.
-
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
-
Knowledge of research techniques and availability of current information.
-
Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in establishing, applying, and interpreting policies and procedures.
-
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
associates, subordinates, public officials, other governmental agencies, and the general public. -
Ability to respond to emergency situations.
-
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
-
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
-
Ability to work under stressful conditions.
-
Ability to interact effectively with others.
-
Must be able to relocate to other county locations based upon operational needs.
ADA REQUIRMENTS:
Mental Demands: Ability to read and comprehend technical and professional journals, manuals, and reports. Ability to write clearly and concisely memos, letters, reports. Ability to speak publicly and extemporaneously on technical subjects. Ability to perform basic mathematical functions. Ability to analyze data and develop conclusions.
Physical Demands: Medium work. Lifting 50lbs. Carrying objects 25 lbs. or more. Ability to traverse uneven and/or wet ground. Ability to see, hear, talk, feel, kneel, reach, balance and climb. Visual acuity (peripheral vision, depth perception, color acuity) necessary to operate a motorized vehicle.
Environmental Demands: Both inside and outside work. Exposure to inclement weather including humidity, heat, rain, cold, dust, mildew, noise. May be exposed to smoke, herbicides, pesticides, odors and toxic fumes. Medical monitoring may be required.