Description
Salary Requirements: $17.74 hourly
Classification: Non-exempt
Organization Description:
Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre world-class botanical garden, featuring plants from around the tropical and subtropical world. 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.
Position Summary: The Natural Resources Associate position will act as a member of the Garden’s Natural Resources team, under the direction of the Natural Resources Manager, supporting the Garden’s mission to conserve plants and habitats of the tropics and inspire the protection of nature. The Natural Resources Associate will support the management of all on-site natural and created ecosystem areas through direct field work.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The Natural Resources Associate will work in the daily management activities of the Garden’s natural areas, stormwater gardens, urban forest display gardens, and off-site conservation areas; duties include landscaping tasks, trail maintenance, herbicide application, invasive species management & prescribed fire activities. In addition:
- Support training, interpretation, and educational outreach on plant conservation, natural resource management, prescribed fire, and native and nuisance wildlife to a wide range of staff, students, professionals, and other audiences.
- Support efforts to collect and manage environmental data toward a goal of bringing science to natural resource management.
- Provide direction to volunteers and collaborative support to visiting scientific investigators.
- Ensure all departmental equipment and resources are regularly cleaned, maintained, and stored properly.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- 1–2 years of experience in natural resources, conservation, ecological restoration, land management, environmental science, or a related field preferred.
- Willingness to complete and maintain relevant certifications and licenses, including Florida Pesticide Applicator’s licenses, Basic Wildland Firefighter Certification, Wilderness First Aid Training, and Certified Interpretive Guide Training.
- Preferred minimum 1-year experience proficiently operating and maintaining power tools and machinery, including tractors and implements, excavators, skid steer, high-brush mower, lawn mower, string trimmer, and hand or power tools.
- Experience with geospatial data collection, preferably in ArcGIS applications including FieldMaps and Survey123 is preferred.
- Basic computer skills using Microsoft Office – Outlook, Teams, Word and Excel.
- Knowledge of common horticultural techniques, common native and invasive plant species, and a variety of south Florida habitats or a willingness to learn.
- Good verbal and written communication skills, enthusiasm, and a desire to learn.
- Willingness and ability to work outdoors in a hot and humid environment.
- Possess a commitment to the Garden’s mission of connecting people with plants.
- Organized and motivated with a strong work ethic.
- Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.
- Pre-employment background check required.
Benefits:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Retirement Plan with matching
- Short-Long Term Disability
- PTO
- Paid Holidays
- Garden Perks
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.
Skills Required
- 1-2 years of experience in natural resources, conservation, ecological restoration, land management, environmental science, or a related field
- Willingness to complete and maintain Florida Pesticide Applicator's licenses
- Willingness to complete Basic Wildland Firefighter Certification
- Willingness to complete Wilderness First Aid Training
- Willingness to complete Certified Interpretive Guide Training
- At least 1 year of experience operating and maintaining power tools and machinery, including tractors and implements, excavators, skid steers, mowers, trimmers, and hand or power tools
- Experience with geospatial data collection, preferably using ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123
- Basic computer skills using Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel
- Knowledge of horticultural techniques, native and invasive plant species, and South Florida habitats, or willingness to learn
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Willingness and ability to work outdoors in a hot and humid environment
- Commitment to the Garden's mission of connecting people with plants
- Organized, motivated, and strong work ethic
- Valid U.S. driver's license
- Successful pre-employment background check
What We Do
Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre, world-class garden paradise that features plants from around the world. The Garden provides arts, culture, youth and adult education, conservation, wellness, and volunteer programs that contribute to the quality of life in Southwest Florida.
