Wildlife Exploration and Education Program Administrator

Salary:  $2,552.50 bi-weekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 02/25/2024 

Level of Education: Bachelors preferred, Masters highly preferred.

Description of Duties:

This position administers the Wildlife Exploration and Education Program within the Public Access Services Office, supervises subsection staff and the performance of volunteers, interns and contractors. This subsection is responsible for wildlife watching programs; outdoor skills development; public educational programs; wildlife watching campaigns, nature tourism partnerships and promoting the economic benefits of wildlife watching to the State of Florida.

Wildlife exploration and education program development and promotion

Develops, implements, and promotes wildlife watching education and outreach programs for a variety of taxa.

Creates and implements promotional campaigns for wildlife watching and nature tourism.

Develops and guides implementation of strategic and operational plans.

Oversees the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and related resources.

Oversees operations and curriculum development for the Chinsegut Conservation Center in Brooksville, FL.

Monitors, evaluates, and adapts programs to achieve goals for wildlife watching and nature tourism.

Broadens awareness and support for wildlife conservation and the agency mission.

Program leadership and administration

Directly plans, supervises, and administers the work of subsection staff. Establishes performance standards, evaluates job performance, and prepares the annual performance evaluation and critiques methods to achieve effective personnel management.

Prepares and administers annual budgets, identifies priority expenses, authorizes these expenses and monitors the balance of the assigned accounts.

Prepares annual work plans for the subsection. Monitors activities identified in these plans, administers these activities, and prepares periodic, regular, and final administrative reports to document progress made towards objectives.

Partnership development and agency-wide collaboration centered on nature tourism and economics

Serves on intra-agency and inter-agency teams and represents the agency on state and national committees.

Engages partners to secure funding that supports wildlife watching and nature tourism programs.

Coordinates research regarding the economic impact of wildlife watching and nature tourism.

Distributes economic reports and utilizes findings to provide guidance and technical assistance to agency personnel and partners.

Seeks and administers grants and prepares required program reports.

Develops and maintains effective partnerships with tourism agencies, business leaders, land managing agencies and conservation organizations.

Markets and promotes wildlife watching, wildlife-focused recreation and nature tourism.

Responsibilities may include legislative interactions.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

This is a leadership position reporting directly to the Director of the Public Access Services Office. It requires experience in supervision, budgeting, and team leadership. Applicants should have a background in conservation outreach, science communications, nature tourism and recreation, or a related field. This is not an entry-level position.

 Ability to supervise others/staff effectively.

Highly organized with excellent communication and leadership skills.

Skilled in strategic planning and program design and evaluation.

Successful experience in marketing and communications reaching a range of audiences and constituencies in Florida.

Thorough knowledge of Florida wildlife species and understanding of habitat management and conservation.

An effective public speaker.

Experience in grant writing and administration, organizing and facilitating public meetings preferred.

Bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences or science communications preferred. Masters highly preferred.

A resume and a cover letter describing the applicant’s experience as it relates to the duties must also be submitted with the application.

Apply here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/38933c9