Ecological & Marine Resources (EMR) Division Manager The Ecological & Marine Resources (EMR) Division Manager leads a multidisciplinary team overseeing three core programs within the Natural Resources Department (NRD): 1) Ecological Restoration, 2) Mitigation Services, and 3) Marine Resources. This position manages a diverse portfolio of environmental services supporting land conservation, habitat restoration, waterway management, and environmental permitting across Manatee County. The role also supports the County's Beach Management Program and cross-departmental initiatives such as resiliency planning, the Gulf Island Ferry Service, and gopher tortoise relocations. In the Ecological Restoration Program, the Manager oversees all phases of grant-funded projects on preserves, shorelines, and submerged lands, including planning, permitting, funding, construction, and compliance. Projects include upland habitat management, mangrove, seagrass, fisheries, and oyster reef restoration, wetland restoration, monitoring, and compliance, and gopher tortoise surveys and relocations variably at sites like Robinson Preserve, Duette Preserve, GT Bray, and Hidden Harbor Park. The program also leads community engagement efforts like RIP-Squad volunteer events, community and stakeholder meetings, public presentations, and an oyster shell recycling program. The Mitigation Services Program provides regulatory support for transportation and capital improvement projects to streamline permitting and reduce costs by coordinating wetland mitigation compliance and wildlife survey efforts. The manager oversees maintenance and monitoring of legacy permittee responsible mitigation (PRM) sites ensuring permit compliance, conducts wetland delineations for public works projects, and develops new mitigation sites, including a county mitigation bank. Wildlife-related tasks may include eagle nest and caracara monitoring, gopher tortoise surveys and permitting, and construction oversight near sensitive habitats. The Marine Resources Program manages 87,000 acres of county waterways, overseeing design, permitting, and inspection of Manatee County boat ramps, feasibility studies for new boat ramps, artificial reef deployment, and dredging operations. Responsibilities include managing 250+ waterway markers, abandoned vessel removal, and manatee protection, and supporting shoreline resilience projects like living shorelines and emergency seawall repairs. The Division Manager also leads interdepartmental coordination to identify and prioritize new grant funded projects. Additionally, the division manager oversees 15–25 federal, state, and nonprofit funding grants for initiatives such as native habitat restoration, living shoreline resilience, dune, oyster, and mangrove restoration, and boat ramp infrastructure. Additional duties include support to the Beach Management Program through pre- and post-hurricane surveys, sea turtle support, beach nourishment, hurricane response, and permitting for projects like maintenance dredging and dredge hole restoration. The manager collaborates regularly with local, state, and federal agencies to align conservation, regulatory, and resiliency goals. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge regarding conditions analysis and determination of prescriptive restoration measures and constraints for ecological enhancements of natural habitats of Florida including all upland, wetland, lacustrine, and estuarine habitats occurring in Manatee County. Knowledge regarding selection and establishment of restoration target appropriate vegetation within site and budgetary constraints. Knowledge of nuisance and exotic species identification and control methods in a habitat restoration setting. Knowledge of cost and workload estimation for budget planning and development related to ecological enhancement projects. Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental resource permitting (ERP), including dredge and fill, earthmoving, and endangered species permitting in a habitat restoration setting. Knowledge of and proficiency with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, techniques, and invasive species biology. Knowledge of ecological condition trajectory drivers (fire return intervals, population dynamics, invasive species incursions, etc.) and ecological restoration techniques. Knowledge and proficiency in personal computer operations, including Microsoft Office Suite, and GIS or similar mapping software. Knowledge of potential hazards and applicable safety precautions necessary for working in a park or wilderness setting. Ability to work independently, or as a team member, and efficiently carry out duties with minimal supervision. Ability to think and act quickly, calmly, and appropriately in emergency situations and under stressful conditions. Ability to work outside of normal hours of County operation, which will include early morning, late evening, or weekend hours.
