ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 42003059

Requisition No: 862531 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 42003059

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42003059 

Salary:  $47,668.01 

Posting Closing Date: 10/24/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

 ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF AQUACULTURE

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Michelle Smith (850) 617-7600

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college and six (6) months of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; or engineering; or

One and a half (1.5) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or

Two (2) years of experience as described above.

Requires possession of a valid Class E Driver License.

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained. Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency.  A list of approved agencies can be viewed at “Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education.” Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org) 

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of s. 112.313, Florida Statutes, and Section 60L-36.003, Florida Administrative Code.

Moderate travel required.

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity in our hiring process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited. Applicants must provide their own, authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and recruitment process. Any candidate found using AI to assist in their answers will be disqualified from consideration.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

JOB DUTIES:

Conducts routine bacteriological, physical and chemical analyses of samples including estuarine water, potable water, and shellfish samples to determine sanitary quality.  Documents results of analyses.  Responsible for weekend/holiday routine work as required.  Responsible for documenting all quality assurance results and controls relating to the above.  Responsible for filing daily and monthly records as related to the above.  Drives vehicles to pick up necessary supplies and equipment.

Responsible for measuring, recording, compiling and reviewing laboratory microbiological, physical and chemical data. Reads, records, and disseminates results from routine bacteriological, physical and chemical analysis of shellfish and shellfish growing waters. Coordinates the laboratory sampling schedule and informs program staff of all changes.

Prepares routine and special media and reagents related to the several tests and analyses used to evaluate the sanitary quality of shellfish. Responsible for inventory and running controls on all media and reagents prepared above. Responsible for all equipment use to ensure equipment is in good working condition.

Conduct quality assurance activities to ensure that the lab is in compliance with FDA requirements. Provides and/or assists with quarterly Division evaluations of the laboratory for conformity with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Model Ordinance Laboratory Checklist. Conduct non-routine laboratory work and help coordinate any special projects.

Responsible for ensuring that lab has operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with Division and Department policies and procedures.  Monitors and orders necessary laboratory supplies.

Completes other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of environmental factors influencing water pollution in estuaries
• Knowledge of basic concepts and principles of the physical or natural sciences.
• Knowledge of basic arithmetic.
• Skill in use of laboratory equipment and materials.
• Skill in paying close attention to detail and noting discrepancies.
• Skill in use of computers, Microsoft Office application, and other computer software.
• Ability to understand and follow technical instruction relating to laboratory testing and analysis.
• Ability to comply with strict procedural and quality control/quality assurance guidelines. 
• Ability to use sterile technique.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others. 
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. 
• Ability to prepare and maintain laboratory documentation data.
• Ability to perform manual tasks that are routine and repetitive.
• Ability to drive an automobile and pick up materials and supplies.
• Ability to handle conflict and make difficult decisions under duress or emergency conditions without losing composure.
• Ability to handle, process, and concisely summarize large volumes of information streaming in from telephone calls, emails, etc.
• Ability to rapidly prioritize multiple short-term and long-term tasks on a continual basis.

 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 visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

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

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”

SPECIAL NOTES:

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.