Land Acquisition and Planning Manager-SES - 37001993

Requisition No: 814622 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: Land Acquisition and Planning Manager-SES - 37001993

Position Number: 37001993 

Salary:  $60,000 to $68,000 based on education and experience. 

Posting Closing Date: 01/18/2024 

Land Acquisition and Planning Manager-SES

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Open Competitive

“Pending Reclassification”

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem. 

The Work You Will Do:

The Division of State Lands, as Florida’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship, serves as staff to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (Governor and Cabinet).  As such, the division’s role goes far beyond just acquiring lands for protection. It provides oversight for the management of activities on more than 12 million acres of public lands including lakes, rivers, and islands. These public lands help ensure all Florida’s residents and visitors can truly appreciate the state’s unique landscapes.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Office of Environmental Services (OES) is responsible for the administration of the Florida Forever program, oversight of the land management of all conservation lands owned by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (BOT) and provides support for the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC).  In that capacity, OES conducts a variety of functions for the Division of State Lands and other environmental entities.

How You Will Grow:

DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

Tallahassee - Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.

Contact:

Deborah Burr

Deborah.Burr@FloridaDEP.gov

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Pay:

$60,000 to $68,000 based on education and experience.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Provides leadership for the state’s conservation lands acquisition program, Florida Forever. Directs staff responsible for coordinating the evaluation of new Land Acquisition proposals preparing project evaluation reports, production of the Florida Forever Annual Plan including the executive summary publication and preparing agenda items for Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) and assisting with the preparation of agendas for Board of Trustees meetings. Serves as the Florida Forever subject matter expert at ARC meetings and facilitates the ARC annual project ranking process.  Responsibilities also include guiding the ongoing refinement of mapped project boundaries based on resource conservation opportunities and land use changes, and ensuring information presented in the Annual plan and on agenda items is accurate.

Responsibilities also include coordinating, evaluating, and implementing administrative and operational policies, rules, procedures, and related directives. Reviews and refreshes program reports, information, and resources on the Department website. Represents the Department at public meetings, workshops and conferences relating to conservation lands Acquisition and resource protection and works with other agencies to coordinate the Land Acquisition and management efforts. Coordinates and conducts public information workshops for internal and external stakeholders and the public to share information and provide technical assistance related to Florida Forever and conservation lands acquisition programs. Leads field visits with landowners, agencies, and experts to evaluate potential projects for acquisition. Provides information regarding project suitability and technical assistance to landowners, their representatives, land trusts and agencies on proposed Florida Forever projects. 

Provide oversight of OES entered data in the acquisition process information system ensuring records of all acquisition project information are complete and accurate.  Coordinates across bureaus to enhance and/or implement new technologies that improve acquisition data management, data collection and presentation.  Serves as the primary lead with Florida Natural Areas Inventory, land trusts and other state Land Acquisition programs to develop and maintain performance measures for proposed and completed Florida Forever projects. Provides expertise as appropriate on natural resource protection and management issues for Florida’s native ecosystems.

Supervises program staff.  Assists the Program Administrator in coordinating with other areas of the department and federal agencies on matters concerning conservation lands Acquisition and management for consistency in decision making. 

Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations concerning Land Acquisition and management and related activities; Florida’s native ecosystems and land management principles; methods of data collection and analysis including ArcGIS; program management principles and practices.  Skill in professional and technical writing, speaking and presentations; Microsoft Office, databases, and mapping programs. Ability to: supervise staff and provide constructive feedback; determine and direct work priorities, and ensure proper completion of work assignments; communicate effectively and present to broad audiences; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; conduct field work in environmental harsh conditions; read and interpret leases, easements, maps and legal documents; understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures; interpret and communicate technical and scientific information to a broad audience; prepare and organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, maps, documents and other materials; present information and reports to partners and the public in a concise and professional manner, utilizing a variety of digital formats; collect, evaluate and analyze data to develop recommendations, document work and other activities relating to the improvement of operational and management practices; conduct fact-finding research; work independently; solve problems and make decisions; maintain a valid driver’s license and travel; demonstrate teamwork.

Minimum Requirements:

Driver’s License

Travel

Preferred Qualifications:

A 4-year degree from an accredited college or university and four years of professional experience working in natural sciences, land conservation, resource management and/or planning, program management, scientific research and evaluation, or other related discipline.

Other Requirements:

Vendor Invoice/Warrant Processing responsibility and is subject to the provisions of Section 215.422, FS.

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@dep.state.fl.us

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.