PROGRAM CONSULTANT - 37002070

Requisition No: 844336 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PROGRAM CONSULTANT - 37002070

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37002070 

Salary:  $57,680 

Posting Closing Date: 01/27/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Program Consultant: 37002070 (Florida Keys Aquatic Preserves Manager)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

Southeast Region

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:

This position represents the Department as the Florida Keys Aquatic Preserves (FKAP) Manager. This includes ecosystem monitoring, wildlife and habitat protection, public awareness, and facilitating public access in Coupon Bight and Lignumvitae Key Aquatic Preserves. The position directly supervises two OPS employees.

The Difference You Will Make:

This position supports two environmental programs that impact the lives of Florida citizens, either directly or indirectly. You will help a team of scientists working in the Florida Keys Aquatic Preserves and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to protect our valuable and precious marine resources. There are also many opportunities to interact with the rest of the agency personnel in Miami, Tallahassee, and other regions throughout the state of Florida.

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:

This position will work throughout the Florida Keys (Monroe County) and is based in Marathon. Marathon is known for some of the best boating activities, amazing fishing, beautiful beaches, warm weather and other great outdoor activities. The popular Key West is only an hour drive from Marathon. However, paradise does come at a cost. The cost-of-living in the Keys, especially as it relates to housing, is the highest in Florida with limited options.

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.

Pay:  $57,680 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position represents DEP as the Florida Keys Aquatic Preserves (FKAP) Manager. This includes ecosystem monitoring, wildlife and habitat protection, public awareness, and facilitating public access in Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve and Lignumvitae Key Aquatic Preserve.

Among other tasks, the incumbent in this position is responsible for the following:

• Serves as the FKAP Manager and oversees the planning, coordination, and implementation of resource management and research projects to protect and enhance resources within with FKAP, including developing and maintaining resource inventories, conducting educational and outreach activities, establishing resource management goals, and updating management plans.
  • Supervises the Ecosystem Assessment Specialist (OPS Environmental Specialist II) and the Marine Debris and Outreach Specialist (OPS Environmental Specialist II)
  • Develops and maintains an inventory of resources within the aquatic preserves and their condition through field collection of samples, monitoring, sharing of data with other researchers and managers, and review of technical literature and databases.
  • Participates in developing and/or reviewing resource management projects, goals, and objectives at the department, regional, and statewide levels, including updating the aquatic preserves management plans, and annual priority plans, as necessary.
  • Oversees and conducts educational programs to better acquaint the public and resource users with the natural resources and resource protection needs of the aquatic preserves and the Florida Keys. Activities may include giving talks at classes, staffing outreach booths at events, conducting interpretative field trips, producing, and distributing outreach materials, and encouraging volunteer efforts to assist with resource management needs.
  • Represents DEP’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (ORCP) at various meetings including making presentations, as needed, to ensure that the public and other agencies are aware of site-specific issues and management objectives.
  • Reviews permits and assists departmental, regional, or local permitting, planning or enforcement authorities to ensure that regulations are properly implemented, applied, and enforced.
  • Publishes an annual report of the conditions within Lignumvitae Key Aquatic Preserve and Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve, as described in their management plans.
• Supports management of the state’s resources within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) that are co-managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This is done through supporting the FKNMS Environmental Manager with implementation of DEP management priorities.
  • Participates in the planning, coordination and implementation of resource management and research projects within FKNMS and FKAP to protect or enhance the resources, better understand their function, and/or advance the science necessary to better respond to the coral disease outbreak or other management priorities. Cooperates with or assists other researchers to maximize the research accomplished.
  • Provides technical support to numerous partners in both the private and public sector to further the state’s efforts in protecting coral reef resources in the Florida Keys.
• Conducts administrative tasks including tracking allocated funds, purchasing needed materials, and providing reports required by the central office, department, or granting agency. Ensures that office records and files are properly maintained.
• Participates in snorkeling and SCUBA diving to conduct scientific research, monitoring, and restoration activities. Works with the UDSO to ensure appropriate training, approval of dive plans, maintenance of dive records, and compliance with the DEP Underwater Operations Manual and all relevant regulations of the DEP. Operates and maintains vehicles, vessels, field equipment and personal computers as required to accomplish these tasks.
• May serve on the ORCP Emergency Response Team and may provide aid in the event of an emergency at the DEP field offices, including pre-storm preparation, post-storm clean-up and replacement of stored goods to ready field office for operation after a storm; or other services assigned.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

These are entry-level knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential to be successful in the position.

• Knowledge of Florida's seagrass, mangrove and hardbottom ecosystems and general ecological principles/processes.
• Knowledge of management principles and techniques with special emphasis on coastal zone management, environmental permitting, and coastal development.
• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
• Knowledge and experience in planning and implementing research and resource management projects.
• Skill in written and verbal communications.
• Skill in use of computers and software programs utilized for word processing, spread sheet application and document design, including MS Office programs.
• Ability to conduct sampling and other accurate field activities, often from small boats and in the water in less-than-optimal conditions.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate, and execute multiple projects, often in collaboration with other agencies, contractors or volunteers.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable environmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to develop long-range management plans.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to interact with the public, coworkers, and supervisors in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Ability to speak English proficiently.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities preferred:

• Knowledge of statistical analysis using R-Studio software.
• Knowledge of Geospatial analysis using ArcGIS Pro software.
• Skill in writing scientific manuscripts and technical reports.
• Ability to speak Spanish proficiently.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify, applicants must have the following: A Master of Science degree in one of the marine environmental or biological sciences from an accredited college or university; and one year of verifiable related experience in an environmental program, or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience as described above, for a total of seven years. Valid Driver License. Local travel throughout Southeast Florida and occasional long-distance travel. Must be a certified scuba diver who can provide documentation of at least 50 logged dives. Must have prior approval and meet the diving and/or snorkeling validation requirements in the DEP Underwater Operations Manual. This position is medically monitored.

Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver certification from a nationally recognized agency. Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card, NASBLA-approved boater safety course certification, or USCG Captain’s license.

Obtain and maintain the following licenses and/or certifications (may be obtained on job): small boat operation with trailering certification: DEP certification to operate kayaks, FAA's Small UAS Rule (Part 107) certification. (Depending on specific projects, additional training and certifications may be necessary)

Preferred Qualifications:

These qualifications are helpful and may lead to a higher level of success in the position: proficiency with ArcGIS Pro; experience working with the public in the Florida Keys; Rescue and Nitrox certification and professional diving experience.

Additional screening questions may be required.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: This position is a Position of Trust. 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.  

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.