OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37979081

Requisition No: 861141 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37979081

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979081 

Salary:  agency to update 

Posting Closing Date: 10/05/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS Environmental Specialist II

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Eastpoint, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The qualified candidate will work within the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Research and Stewardship sectors to conduct estuarine, marsh, and land management research and monitoring activities. This position will serve as lead for the Reserve’s Wetlands and Water Levels (formerly called NOAA Sentinel Site) program which includes 3 main components: 1) emergent marsh vegetation surveys, 2) surface elevation table (SET) measurements, and 3) marsh porewater sampling data collection. These components include working with contractors to collect vegetation data, managing field work to conduct all surveys, QA/QC of data, metadata creation, and submissions to the Centralized Data Management Office under the NOAA NERRs System. This position does not oversee any other positions.

This position will be expected to assist with field and lab work, data collection, entry, and documentation for a variety of estuarine, marsh, and land management projects. Research sector projects include  water quality sampling (deployment of data sondes that continually monitor water chemistry, collection of samples for nutrient chlorophyll-a content analysis), maintenance of meteorological stations, plankton sampling, fish and macroinvertebrate trawls, station and equipment maintenance (including station cleaning via SCUBA diving), data entry and quality control, visiting researcher assistance and coordination, and occasional scientific writing. Stewardship projects include emergent marsh vegetation and mangrove surveys, sea turtle nesting surveys, invasive plant surveys and treatments, habitat mapping, public use and access, and more; with the option to participate in prescribed fires after certification. Time spent on various projects and between the two sectors will vary seasonally. The position includes a small amount (<5% of time) assistance with Nature Center shifts and participation in Reserve-wide Educational events such as Estuaries Day a few times per year. Many project sites are remote and only accessible by boat and the candidate will be expected to trailer and pilot a vessel up to 29 feet within the first year of hire; the candidate will also be asked to operate UTVs and kayaks. We do not expect applicants to have experience with every task and project listed in the job description, but the successful applicant will demonstrate an ability to learn quickly and have a proven ability to work well as part of a team or independently as needed. The successful candidate will gain exposure to multiple techniques and sampling equipment utilized by coastal scientists and land managers, and work in laboratory, field, and office settings.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of estuarine, marsh, and coastal ecosystem ecology and function.
• Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and equipment used in a scientific laboratory.
• Knowledge of field techniques involving the sampling of physical, chemical, and biological parameters.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written.
• Must be able to work and maintain a positive attitude in rigorous field conditions (hot, humid, sunny, buggy conditions) and remote field areas.
• Ability to cooperate with teammates or independently as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least four years of verifiable related experience in one of the biological, aquatic, marine, natural resource conservation, environmental sciences, or similar. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological, aquatic, marine, natural resource conservation, environmental sciences 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.
• The ability to safely lift and carry items up to 50 pounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience operating and trailering boats up to 28 feet, or willingness to become proficient and pass agency certification for these skills within 1 year of hire.
• Experience operating UTVs, kayaks, or willingness to become proficient and pass agency certification for these skills within 1 year of hire.

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.

Applicable Job-Specific License or Certifications:

• Nationally recognized open water SCUBA diver certification (NAUI, PADI, SSI), or a willingness to complete the requirements and earn certification within the first twelve months of employment.
• Willingness to participate in the DEP dive program (requires medical monitoring), and willingness to dive and snorkel in conditions of low visibility and strong currents, within the first twelve months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with electronics, computer hardware and software systems, including the ability to troubleshoot issues while in the field, especially those specifically related to telemetry and data logging systems. This is preferred but not a required qualification for hire.
• Experience with ecological data analysis and scientific communication. This is preferred but not a required qualification for hire.
• Experience with plant identification (marsh and upland) and working in the salt marsh environment. This is preferred but not a required qualification for hire.

Pay:

The approved pay rate for this position is $19.00-21.50 per hour. Schedule is 40 hours/week, Monday – Friday usually 7:30-4:00, with occasional earlier start times required; occasional (<5% of the time) work outside this schedule is required but schedule will not exceed 40 hours/week. Overtime is not approved for this position.

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.