OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37979110

Requisition No: 859251 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37979110

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979110 

Salary:  AGENCY TO UPDATE 

Posting Closing Date: 09/10/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist I

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Eastpoint, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Environmental Specialist I works as an Educational Specialist within the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection located in the NW Region at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve in Eastpoint, Florida.  The Education Specialist is a position that is primarily responsible for facilitating educational services for the public visiting the Nature Center at the Reserve.  Our Reserve’s education staff strive to create a special sense of wonder and discovery that are important in developing a strong watershed stewardship ethic through hands-on learning activities within the natural habitats of the Apalachicola Bay watershed.

The successful applicant will assist in creating educational materials and delivering programs onsite and off for K-12, home school, formal adult classes, and other groups, as well as the development and implementation of new curriculum and instructional strategies.  This position will also lead summer camp activities and coordinate and schedule with other partner organizations.  Other job duties will include assisting our Aquarist with maintaining tanks, life support systems, and general nature center cleanliness as needed, opening and closing the nature center, participating in outreach and special events, helping to maintain cleanliness of signage on nature trails and the plant guides and plant guide boxes, and helps train volunteers to assist with greeting and sharing information about Reserve programs and research activities with the visiting public in the Nature Center.  This position will not supervise any other staff

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A strong foundational understanding of ecological principles, ecosystems, biodiversity, and other environmental issues
• Knowledge of local flora, fauna, and the natural history of the region
• Proficient in the use of personal computers and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), email, or other relevant software
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with colleagues, students, and stakeholders both verbally and in writing
• Works effectively with others to achieve common goals
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and coordinate work assignments
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to lift and carry equipment up to 50 lb.
• Ability to work Saturdays and occasionally after hours for special events

Minimum Qualifications:

At least 4 years of verifiable related experience in environmental education. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in Education, Environmental Science, Biology, Marine Science, Oceanography, or a related field may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis. A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.

Valid Driver’s License

Position of Special Trust Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

Pay:

$17.00 to $19.00/hr

Our Organization and Mission: 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy. DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, located in Eastpoint, Florida, is in Franklin County. Franklin County is a rural area dominated by a working waterfront across the bay from Apalachicola and St. George Island.  Eastpoint is small area reliant on tourism and the fishing industry.

The Reserve is located directly on the coast of the St. George Sound and the Apalachicola Bay. Due to the location of the Reserve in the heart of Franklin County, less than 5% of a working day is required to travel to locations within the county to perform mission critical duties.

There is no state income tax for residents of Florida.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: 

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*).  
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan, for more information, please visit Corebridge Financial).
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

Special Notes: DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 245-2511. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.