ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37020455

Requisition No: 842970 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37020455

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020455 

Salary:  $3,690.84 Mo. / $44,290.08 Yr. 

Posting Closing Date: 12/22/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Multiple Vacancies

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 create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem. 

The Work You Will Do:

These are entry-level positions performing professional work and basic scientific tasks under general supervision in the District’s Permitting and Compliance Assurance Programs. The job requires skills in applying instructions to accomplish different job functions and a general understanding of scientific principles. In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the Department’s Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection protects, conserves and manages the state’s natural resources and enforces its environmental laws. Each position works together as a whole to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy.

How You Will Grow:

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:

South District - The South District Office is located in Fort Myers. Fort Myers is popular for its great beaches that line the Gulf Coast, shopping and fishing.  Attractions include the historic Henry Ford and Thomas Edison estates, downtown Fort Myers, with its many restaurants and nightlife, as well as nearby Naples and the islands of Captiva and Sanibel. It is a sports enthusiast haven as the Spring Training home of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. The South District covers 8 counties (Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto, Sarasota, Hendry, Glades and Highlands). 

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

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

To learn more about different DEP career opportunities, visit https://floridadep.gov/adm/hr/content/career-opportunities-0

Pay:

$3,690.84 Mo. / $44,290.08 Yr.

Compliance Assurance Program Responsibilities:

Facility Compliance

In general, this position will conduct a high volume of low complexity inspections and or file/data reviews and takes action to resolve complaints.

• Plans and conducts inspections, site visits, and/or other required field work, or conducts records reviews necessary for compliance evaluations. This includes, but is not limited to, reviewing permit files, reports, and other documents; as well as, performing calculations and technical reviews. When necessary, makes enforcement recommendations to supervisor.
• Provides compliance assistance to regulated facilities before, during, and after inspections.
• Conducts follow up activities to assist facilities in returning to compliance without enforcement.
• Responds to complaints in a prompt and effective manner, investigates, and takes steps to resolve the matter.
• When necessary, recommends enforcement action. Participates in the drafting of enforcement documents and participates in enforcement meetings.
• Supports, participates, and/or assists in the execution of compliance assistance workshops for the regulated community.

Training

• Participates in office training events/activities to gain the basic skills needed to determine the compliance status of regulated facilities. This includes participating in safety events, job shadowing, on the job training, and team building initiatives as directed by management.
• Is a self-advocate for training and partners with appropriate district staff to learn about their assigned DEP program area.

Report Processing

• Produces timely and accurate documentation of file reviews, inspections, site visits, or field work.
• Enters documentation, compliance data and resolution actions into the designated database.
• Reviews required reports, test reports, and notices for regulated facilities. Ensures the reviews are accurate, completed timely and are entered into the designated database. Reports are to be processed in accordance with established program rules, requirements, and policies.

Must adhere to the DEP Snorkeling Policy and Directive 710 and Motor Vehicles/Watercraft Assignment and Utilization Directive 620.

Performs other duties as required.

Permitting Program Responsibilities:

Work Product

In general, this position will review and process a high volume of low-complexity permit applications.

• Ensure work products (file reviews, inspections, site visits, field work, reports, documents, etc.) are accurate, completed timely and entered into the designated database.
• Reports are to be processed in accordance with established program rules, requirements, and policies. 
• Duties relate to the administration of the permitting and/or compliance enforcement activities within the Submerged Lands and Environmental Resource Coordination Program applications and/or compliance and enforcement activities pertaining to dredging and filling activities in, on, or over wetlands or surface waters, sovereignty submerged land authorizations, wetland determinations, and mangrove trimming activities, which includes reviewing all data and information to determine compliance with Chapters 403, 373, 253, 258, F.S; Chapters 62-302, 62-330, 62-340, 62-345, 18-18, 18-20, 18-21, of the Florida Administrative Code.

Teamwork

• Demonstrate support of Department leadership through actions and words when representing the Department.
• Provide, receive, and act upon both internal and external feedback in a positive manner and respectfully offer constructive counsel to peers, subordinates, and managers.
• Complete work assignments enthusiastically, with diligence and care. 
• Maintain active and productive participation in meetings and discussions.
• Identify solutions to problems and provide them along with any innovations to management without creating conflict.
• Amplify and contribute to the Department’s strategic goals and values.
• Arrive to work on-time, appropriately groomed and attired for the workplace, keep a set work schedule, and maintain focus on assigned tasks regardless of outside issues.
• Positively embrace change, productively and proactively communicate concerns to management, and take personal responsibility for promoting and ensuring organizational success.

Customer Service

• Identify and meet the needs of customers in order to provide excellent customer service.
• Communicates proactively and in a clear consistent manner.
• The incumbent is expected to be helpful, cooperative, polite, respectful, and concerned at all times in their interactions with customers when representing the Department.

Outreach, Efficiencies, and Cost Savings

• Support, participate, and assist in external outreach events (compliance assistance workshops, facility to reduce regulatory burden and enhance relationships with the Department’s stake-holders or general public.
• Identify potential areas to improve procedures and offer solutions to improve workplace efficiencies.

Training and Safety

• Participate and assist with internal training events/activities to gain the basic skills needed to perform job duties. This includes participating in safety events, job shadowing, on the job training, and team building initiatives as directed by management.
• Consistently follow safety protocols and notify management of any potential safety hazards.
• Self-advocate for training and partner with appropriate district staff to learn their assigned DEP program area.

Must adhere to the DEP Snorkeling Policy and Directive 710 and Motor Vehicles/Watercraft Assignment and Utilization Directive 620.

Performs other duties as required

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences. 
• Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to prepare technical and programmatic reports.
• Ability to use personal computers.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to understand and follow legislative policy direction as established in Florida Statutes.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to work independently or in a team.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time in temperatures and weather conditions typical of South Florida.
• Ability to perform field inspections including climbing ladders and stairs, walk on slopes, lift and carry 40 pounds over a distance of up to 100 yards.
• Ability to use safety equipment.
• Ability to conduct and complete work assignments without close supervision.
• Ability to track and coordinate multiple projects.
• Ability to be adaptable, flexible, resourceful and to maintain a positive outlook.

Compliance Assurance Program Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to State Lands and Environmental Resource Coordination Program (SLERC) and State 404 Program.
• Knowledge of Chapters 403, 373, 253, 258, Florida Statutes (F.S.), Rules Chapters 62-302, 62-330, 62-331, 62-340, 62-345, 18-14, 18-20, 18-21, and other applicable Florida Administrative Codes (F.A.C.).
• Skill and experience in the identification of wetland ecosystems and the delineation of wetlands: plant identification, hydric soil identification, and wetland hydrology.
• Skill and experience in using GIS software products, such as ESRI ArcMap 10.x, to prepare maps and in using portable GPS units to locate geographic or natural resource features.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze, and interpret aerial photography, site plans and drawings.
• Knowledge of potential environmental impacts which result from construction.
• Ability to snorkel.
• Skilled at performing field inspections.
• Multilingual in English and Spanish, Creole or German.

Permitting Program Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of one year of regulatory inspection/compliance/permitting or other professional related experience.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to State Lands and Environmental Resource Coordination Program (SLERC).
• Knowledge of Chapters 403, 373, 253, 258, Florida Statutes (F.S.), Rules Chapters 62-302, 62-330, 62-331, 62-340, 62-345, 18-14, 18-20, 18-21, and other applicable Florida Administrative Codes (F.A.C.).
• Skill and experience in the identification of wetland ecosystems and the delineation of wetlands: plant identification, hydric soil identification, and wetland hydrology.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze, and interpret aerial photography, site plans and drawings.
• Knowledge of potential environmental impacts which result from construction.
• Ability to snorkel.
• Skilled at performing field inspections.
• Multilingual in English and Spanish, Creole, or German.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a natural or physical science from an accredited college or university; or any combination of post-secondary education and/or verifiable related experience for a total of four years.
• The ability to successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history background check.

Other Job-Related Requirements for this position: 

• Valid Driver License
• Travel is required, including overnight.

Working hours: (A) Daily from Monday to Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (B) Total hours in workweek 40 (C) FLEX Schedule. This position is not eligible for teleworking.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.

To learn more about the DEP South District office, please access the following link: https://floridadep.gov/south

Contact Information:

Amanda Ades

South District DEP

2295 Victoria Avenue, Suite 364

Fort Myers, FL  33902 

(239) 344-5652

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable 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_ER@dep.state.fl.us

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.