Department:

Planning and Development Services

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

As the Environmental Specialist II with our Planning and Development Services, you will implement relevant sections of the Environmental Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and the associated Sarasota County Code of Ordinances related to Environmental Protection. You will focus on terrestrial systems, including trees and upland habitats within the South County area. Tree permit and development reviews will be performed by you within the unincorporated regions of Sarasota County. You will also conduct technical reviews, analysis, and compliance monitoring of development projects and permitting associated with the Trees Ordinance, as well as other related Environmental Protection Division-administered programs.

This position starts out paying between $53,456.00 - $56,000.00 (based on experience), benefits begin within 60 days of hire, and there are opportunities for advancement. If you love nature and want to serve your community, this role is for you - apply today!

About the Position

The purpose is to implement relevant sections of the Environmental Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and the associated Sarasota County Code of Ordinances related to Environmental Protection. This position particularly focuses on terrestrial systems, including trees and upland habitats within the South County area. Tree permit and development reviews are performed within the unincorporated regions of Sarasota County.  For more information, see below...

Trees Code Reviews

Review tree permit applications and other development applications to ensure compliance with the Trees Code.  Rezone petitions are also reviewed for the possible presence of Grand Trees.Inspect construction sites to determine if trees need to be removed and protected. Coordinate with applicants to ensure that Best Management Practices (e.g. tree barricades) are installed and maintained throughout construction activities to protect trees.Perform re-inspections at construction sites and conduct final inspections to verify that all the conditions of the permit have been complied with and that required tree plantings are properly installed. Provide advice on the selection and location of trees to be planted. Inspect both private and public property to determine if Grand Trees may be present.Maintain up-to-date files and data entry within permitting database (e.g., Accela system).

Other Environmental Protection Codes

Review UDC plans, rezone petitions, landscape plans, earthmoving applications, building permits, etc.Perform field inspections and determine if native habitats (e.g. wetland, hammock, scrub, etc.) and/or “listed” species (scrub jay, gopher tortoise, bald eagle, etc.) are present or will be impacted by the proposed work. Document and analyze findings. Prepare correspondence, permits, notices, and other technical reports based upon collected and analyzed data and resulting decisions made regarding the applicable regulations.Coordinate regulatory processes with permit applicants, other government agencies (including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Florida Water Management District, US Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service), engineers and consultants, builders, and the public.

Monitoring and Compliance

Respond to incident reports of possible code violations. Process code enforcement violations for Environmental Protection Codes (primarily Trees Code).  This includes investigation, preparation of legal notices, testimony and monitoring required corrective actions.Provide expert technical testimony in legal actions including Special Magistrate Hearings.

Other

Perform various administrative duties, including serving as a liaison to the Sarasota Tree Advisory Council.Provide technical assistance as needed to the Manager, Environmental Supervisor, other staff, and other Divisions.Provide recommendations on and review of policy, rule, and ordinances related to environmental protection.Educate contractors, developers and property owners on techniques to protect trees during construction activity. Review performance measure reports and provide/obtain data for permit workload reports and information.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

Full-Time, 40 hours per week.Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in forestry, or one of the biological sciences (biology, botany, ecology, or a related environmental field appropriate to the position) -AND- Two (2) years of professional experience related to the position.-OR- Master's degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate biological science or environmental field can be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required work experience.Valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

Certified Arborist, or the ability to become certified by the International Society of Arboriculture as a Certified Arborist within 6 months from the hire date.Short courses and seminars on trees, ecology, environmental permitting, native species, and habitat identification.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five (5) years. 

Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Employees can use handling devices (dolly, cart, etc.) or work with another team member to lift and/or move excessive poundage of 50-plus pounds.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay Range: $53,456.00 - $56,000.00, based on experience.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.