Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.
Department:
GG_Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs: Natural Resource Management
Salary Range Minimum:
$52,000.00
Salary Range Maximum:
$84,052.14
Closing Date:
06/29/2026This is supervisory and administrative work planning and directing the activities of a designated work section or nature center within the Nature Operations Division.
The single position allocated to this classification reports to the Nature Operations Division Manager and works under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its knowledge of biology, forestry, and natural science, as well as, supervisory responsibility for nature parks and trails to include facility and park development, programs, operations and maintenance.
This is supervisory and administrative work planning and directing the activities of a designated work section or nature center within the Nature Operations Division.
The single position allocated to this classification reports to the Nature Operations Division Manager and works under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its knowledge of biology, forestry, and natural science, as well as, supervisory responsibility for nature parks and trails to include facility and park development, programs, operations and maintenance.
EXAMPLES OF WORK*
*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job. Performance of lower level duties may be required.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Plans, organizes, and schedules the activities and operations of assigned work section and/or nature education center within the Nature Operations Division.
Performs timely, fair and non-discriminatory evaluations of performance of employees under his/her supervision.
Recommends selection, promotion, discharge, and other appropriate personnel actions.
Represents the City at public meetings, onsite meetings and at other venues to provide information and obtain community input and support for divisional programs and services. This may include, and is not limited to, leading tours, being interviewed by the media, reviewing special use requests, speaking at schools and other higher learning institutions and delivering subject matter expert presentations.
Manages assigned projects to include contacting contractors, soliciting bids and quotes, developing scopes of work, participating in onsite planning or project review meetings, orienting and overseeing staff or contractors working on said projects.
Prioritizes projects using best available science, facility and natural resource conditions, and with input from staff, stakeholders, and management.
Assists Nature Operations Division Manager with preparing the annual division budgets.
Reviews expenses and monitors budget throughout the fiscal year.
Prepares grant applications, tracks grant expenditures and hours, and completes required reports.
Develops, revises or assists in developing and revising department, division, section, and nature center/park level policies and operating procedures.
Uses GIS technology to integrate data, identify site location and prepare maps.
Coordinates and/or participates in activities associated with prescribed burn programs in nature parks.
Performs field work, including but not limited to natural resource sampling and environmental evaluations.
Responds to emergency calls on nights and weekends.
Responsible for ensuring the safety of staff, natural areas and facilities in nature operations.
Supervises the maintenance of assigned nature center and/or facilities.
Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.
NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
May act in absence of supervisor.
Provides assistance to other nature parks and/or nature education center in the absence of the other supervisor.
Recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers who assist in the activities of the nature parks.
Advises other City departments and divisions on natural resource-related matters.
Attends meetings and trainings held by professional associations and organizations to keep current in field and maintain certifications.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, ecology, ecological restoration, forestry, environmental education, natural resource management, wildlife ecology or other closely related field; and three (3) years of progressively responsible natural resource program administration experience to include one (1) year of leading or supervising experience.
A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, ecology, ecological restoration, forestry, environmental education, natural resource management, wildlife ecology or other closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the non-supervisory work experience.
CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES
Licenses
Valid driver license required upon start date. Valid Florida driver license required within 30 days of appointment and at all times while employed in this position.
Certifications
Completion of S-130 Firefighter Training and S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior is required upon start date.
Florida Prescribed Burn Manager Certification is preferred, or the ability to complete Florida Burn Manager Certification Process within one year of hire. This will include being qualified to take the The Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Training Course and complete certifying burn within one year of hire. .
American Red Cross certification (or equivalent) in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid is required upon start date.
National Recreation and Parks Association certification as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is required within 12 months of start date.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of Florida plants, animals, and natural communities.
Knowledge of the principles, theory, and practices of nature park administration and maintenance.
Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methods of natural resource management including wetlands, wildlife, forestry and ecology.
Demonstrated knowledge of personal computers and related departmental software.
Working knowledge and skill in use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and global positioning system tools.
Knowledge of grant sources and application procedures.
Knowledge of governmental budget procedures.
Knowledge of real estate transaction procedures.
Ability to prepare reports.
Ability to plan, assign, delegate and direct work of administrative and supervisory personnel.
Ability to administer and manage a city-wide system of nature parks.
Ability to develop short-term plans and programs and to evaluate work accomplishments.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by emotional intelligence and the ability to interact collaboratively and productively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds including elected and appointed government officials, Charter Officers, City employees, representatives of other agencies, and the general public.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit for prolonged periods of time.
Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential job functions, including the ability to walk on uneven terrain and to lift, carry, push or pull 50 pounds without assistance.
Requires the ability to use personal protection equipment including hearing, eye, foot, hand and head protection.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Requires the performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions including heat, humidity, biting insects, invertebrates, and vertebrates, as well as stinging and poisonous plants.
Requires local travel and may include out-of-state, as well as overnight travel.
Requires working and attending meetings outside of normally scheduled hours, including nights, weekend and holidays.
Requires the ability to work safely with hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to: incendiary fluids, gasoline, motor oil, herbicides, and maintenance chemicals
Note:
May Require Assessment(s).
May fill multiple positions.
May establish an eligibility list.
Come join our team! The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.
All ‘regular’ employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also offer great things like on-site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy.Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.
Equal Opportunity
The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.
Veterans' Preference
Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference.
If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at HR@cityofgainesville.org or by calling 352-334-5077.
Ranked as #1 city to live on Livability.com’s Top 100 Best Places to Live list, #1 on Zippia’s Best City to Start Your Career, #42 Best City to Live in America and #9 Ten Best College Towns, the City of Gainesville serves as the cultural, educational, and commercial center of the north central Florida region. The City of Gainesville has a Commission-Manager form of government and employs roughly 2,200 employees, making it one of the largest employers in the region.
In addition to providing a full range of municipal services, the city owns a regional transit system, a municipal airport, a 72-par championship golf course and a utility. The Gainesville metro area population is more than 339,000 people. Geographically, Gainesville consists of approximately 63 square miles. Gainesville is nationally-recognized as a great place to live and raise a family due in large part to the University of Florida and Santa Fe College, as well as its central location in the state of Florida, putting its citizens within a few hours’ drive of Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota and Florida’s award-winning beaches.
To learn how to become a part of the city’s exceptional team, visit our current vacancies at https://www.gainesvillefl.gov/Employment-Pages/Employment/Careers.
