The Elling Eide Center is a nonprofit research library, nature preserve, and cultural retreat located on 72 acres of rare coastal habitat in Sarasota, Florida.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Land and Environmental Programs Manager joins a team of intellectually curious, scientifically rigorous, hard-working, and interdisciplinary professionals who support the unique mission and vision of the Elling Eide Center, located in Sarasota, Florida.
This position is responsible for executing a comprehensive land management plan that protects, preserves, maintains, and restores the 72-acre nature preserve surrounding the Elling O. Eide Library, as well as supporting the Center’s broader environmental programs. Significant program areas include environmental land management, restoration and enhancement, as well as horticulture of native, ornamental, and edible plants.
The Eide Preserve contains at least eleven land cover types, including Florida scrub and scrubby flatwoods that require prescribed burning. Leading a prescribed fire program at the Eide Center is an essential job duty.
Additionally, because the Eide Center exists at the intersection of conservation science and humanities scholarship, this position engages meaningfully with visiting national and international scholars, as well as diverse archaeological, historical, and cultural resources within the preserve.
Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or related field, with 4 years of progressive land/preserve management experience, including prescribed fire operations;
OR associate’s degree with 6+ years progressive experience in land/preserve management;
OR 8+ years demonstrated experience in habitat restoration and land stewardship.
• Valid Florida driver’s license with clean driving record
• Ability to operate tractors, UTVs, and trailers
• Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager; OR ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• CPR/First Aid certification within 6 months of hire; Wilderness First Aid certification preferred.
• FDACS pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain within 12 months of employment. (We can help)
• Native plant identification and Florida ecosystems knowledge
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
• Agricultural, horticultural, or landscape design skills
• Invasive species management using integrated pest management
• Experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro
• Understanding of environmental regulations and permitting
• Data collection, analysis, and technical report writing
• Completion of Basic Wildland Firefighting (S-130/190), Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290), Wildland Fire Chainsaws (S-112 or S-212) and completion of ICS 100-200 or the ability to obtain.
• Ability to collect/evaluate scientific or technical data and create reports
• Spanish language skills
• Familiarity with East Asian cultures, history, languages, or humanities scholarship
• Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration bridging environmental science and humanities
• Experience with archaeological site preservation or cultural resource management
• Ability to engage meaningfully with visiting scholars from diverse academic disciplines
