OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37979083

Requisition No: 846400 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37979083

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979083 

Salary:  $20.00/hour 

Posting Closing Date: 03/12/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

(Reef Injury Prevention and Response Technician)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

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 serves as the Reef Injury Prevention and Response (RIPR) Technician for the Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) within the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (ORCP).

• With guidance from the RIPR Coordinator, this position supports the planning and implementation of the RIPR Program, and RIPR-related local action strategy projects as identified in the CRCP Strategic Plan.

The Difference You Will Make:

As part of the CRCP Team, you would further DEP’s goals of:

• Protecting and enhancing the ecological integrity of the Kristen Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area.

• Encouraging sustainable use and foster active stewardship by engaging local communities in the protection of Florida’s Coral Reef.

• Improving management effectiveness through a process based on sound science, consistent evaluation and continual reassessment.

How You Will Grow:

DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiency. 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:

A PAN is pending to change the headquarters of this position to Miami.

Miami is a vibrant city in the Southeast corner of the state of Florida, situated directly on Biscayne Bay and close to beautiful white sand beaches. It is considered a major business center while also known for its museums and cultural offerings as well as its many restaurants and nightlife. It is a sports enthusiast haven as many outdoor activities are enjoyed by people in the area. Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you find yourself on the career ladder. The ORCP Southeast Region covers 5 counties (Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe). The DEP’s office in Miami is called the Biscayne Bay Environmental Center and is located in the middle of the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve within the Pelican Harbor Park and Marina in Miami-Dade County.

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*).  For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to:  https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).  For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please click  Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• There is no state income tax for residents of Florida.

For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Pay: $20/hour

Your Specific Responsibilities:

With guidance from the DEP Southeast Regional Administrator, DEP Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) Manager, and the Reef Injury Prevention and Response (RIPR) Coordinator, support the planning and implementation of the RIPR Program and RIPR-related local action strategy projects as identified in the CRCP Strategic Plan, as needed. Reports to the RIPR Coordinator.

Utilizing knowledge of environmental policies, procedures and practices, may develop and manage grants, contracts, oversee contractors, and associated progress reporting and financial tracking for all assigned projects. May prepare proposals, budgets, and contracts for assigned projects. Maintains program and project files and records. Analyzes data, develops and maintains databases, prepares progress and financial reports, and facilitates annual review (and revision, if needed) of assigned core programs and projects. Organizes, facilitates, and participates in CRCP and Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI)-related workshops and meetings. Ensures meeting minutes are recorded for all assigned program/project meetings and prepares meeting summaries. Assists with CRCP and SEFCRI programmatic and strategic planning. Assists with the implementation of other SEFCRI projects and CRCP activities, as directed.

Attends training programs (where funds allow). Assist with education and outreach activities, as needed. Periodic weekend and evening work may be required to support CRCP outreach activities.

Understands federal laws, state laws and policies, American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and DEP standards governing commercial, scientific and recreational scuba diving practices, certifications and operations and ensures diving activities are conducted in compliance with current laws and policies. Suspends diving operations considered to be unsafe or unwise. Communicates with UDSO to address concerns and resolve any questions related to diving operations. Safely operates and maintains DEP vessels, vehicles, sampling, photographic, and scuba equipment, as assigned. Provides assistance to the DEP Miami Unit Diving Safety Officer (UDSO), as directed.

Assist in the management of coral reef and hardbottom injury incidents in southeast Florida.

• Create a case file in the Injury Events folder and GIS Map (habitat/bathymetric) for each incident. Provide logistical coordination and technical assistance to support documentation and assessment of reef resource injury incidents. Participate in resource trustee meetings and site visits, as directed. Conduct at least 1 dive per damage incident to assess reef injuries and/or monitor/conduct triage and restoration, as appropriate. Maintain complete files for all incidents in southeast Florida, including Injury Response Intake Form, GIS maps, Restoration Plan, Salvage Plan, Trustee Response Cost Tracker, all related correspondence, etc. Write incident assessment reports and maintain records of photo and video files, GPS track files, and data sheets. Assist and participate in annual CSI for Coral Reefs training and protocol review. Assist in maintaining the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund Budget Tracker.

RIPR Field Work Preparation and Organization

• Complete and submit dive and float plans for all RIPR-related dive days. Lead field work planning, preparation, and organization. Pre-dive preparations may include camera prep and Garmin GPS upkeep, charging Pegasus power thrusters monthly, data sheet printing/creation, packing appropriate equipment, creating GIS maps and determining site coordinates. Post-dive organization may include downloading and organizing photos, downloading and plotting GPS tracks, and entering diver data, etc.

Update and Maintain Reef Injury Prevention and Response (RIPR) Database

• Update the Southeast Florida Injury Tracker MS Access database to reflect the correct information from all case files. Records need to be updated and cross checked with paper and electronic case files. As new cases come in, the database needs to be updated and managed accordingly. Add and update each injury’s budget information by grant tracking number. Use the database to run queries that will populate annual summary reports and various data/budget inquiries that may arise. Additionally, use the database and associated linked ArcGIS map to spatially keep track of cases.

Vessel Monitoring and Tracking

• Using PortVision (or similar website), receive and organize emails from vessel zone alerts. Plot the vessels in GIS and determine if in-water site checks are necessary. Pull tracks and information about vessels on/near Southeast Florida reefs and plot in GIS as needed.

RIPR Educational Outreach and PSA Campaign

• Assist the RIPR Specialist with outreach and partnership efforts with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, local dive shops, and other stakeholders. Duties may include creating and presenting power point presentations for various user groups. Assist in the creation and implementation of a PSA campaign in Southeast Florida, with a target focus on anchor damage prevention during marine events. Work with CRCP’s Awareness and Appreciation Coordinator to support Florida’s Coral Reef Protection Act (CRPA) by creating and implementing an educational campaign to spread awareness about the Act.

Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) ArcGIS Online Data Management

• Maintain and update the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Locator Map and all associated data on ArcGIS Online, as needed. Maintain and update the Coral Reef Conservation Program Story Map and all associated data, as needed. Create and use online maps.

Coral Reef Stabilization and Rehabilitation Project Coordination

• Maintain complete files for all aspects of the Coral Reef Stabilization and Rehabilitation Project and associated monitoring. Keep up to date on all annual monitoring tasks (mosaic and in situ). Submit permit required reports for coral transplantation as stipulated in the permits (Years 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10). Assist in planning of biological restoration and potential implementation.

Coral Reef Monitoring and Restoration Project Coordination

• Work with the RIPR Coordinator to develop and implement a coral reef monitoring and restoration project to strengthen our CRPA case protocols. Maintain complete files for all aspects of the project including scopes of work, permits and deliverables. Work with the RIPR Coordinator to implement the use of a Deep Trekker PIVOT remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in assessment and monitoring protocols. Attend training workshops, provide field support, and assist with pre- and post-deployment maintenance as needed.

Biscayne Bay Environmental Center (BBEC) Dive Equipment Management

• Keep updated inventory of all program dive gear. Send all gear in for annual maintenance. Be responsible for ordering new gear, gear repairs and tank fills. Submit quarterly completed scuba and photo equipment maintenance logs. Dive and/or snorkel as needed for DEP. Maintain DEP Diver qualification as defined by the DEP Underwater Operations Manual, including current medical approval for diving. 

Serve as RIPR Coordinator Alternate, as needed

• Serve as back-up to the State Trustee representative for resource damage incidents and collaborate with other inter- and intra- agency representatives, as necessary and appropriate, to prevent, respond to, and manage resource damage incidents. Duties may include receiving and routing injury reports, attending meetings, etc.

Support CRCP office with general/administrative office work, as needed

• Assist in writing project scopes and purchase requisitions, requesting invoices, and approving deliverables. Assist with filing, handling purchasing card transactions, mailings, entering data, as assigned. Attend DEP/ORCP/CRCP meetings and functions, as appropriate or directed. Where appropriate, represent the DEP, the ORCP, and attend meetings and functions related to the CRCP, involving local travel throughout southeast Florida and occasional long-distance travel. Perform other duties as assigned.

May 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.

Snorkels or scuba dives as required to assist with field work.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of coral reef ecosystems and familiarity with Southeast Florida reef habitat and fish

Experience with scientific report writing and technical review

Skill in scuba diving and experience of >50 dives

Skill in math and analysis

Skill in organization, writing and editing (both technical and colloquial)

Skill in public speaking and meeting facilitation

Skill in PC computers, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and ArcGIS

Skill in small boat handling and trailering, or the ability to acquire these skills

Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs

Ability to prepare technical reports

Ability to be flexible, multitask, and meet tight deadlines

Ability to work in a team setting and independently

Ability to work independently and complete tasks with attention to detail under minimal supervision

Ability to determine work priorities, ensure proper completion of work assignments

Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with a diverse range of people

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Ability to lift a minimum of 35 lbs.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of and experience with Habitat Equivalency Analysis

Knowledge of and experience with Coral Reef Protection Act

Knowledge of and experience with PortVision360 and Microsoft Access

Rescue Diver scuba certification or higher, with scientific diving experience.

Knowledge of ecological and resource management terminology, principles, and methods with emphasis on coral reef ecosystems

Knowledge of, and experience with, regulatory permitting

Knowledge of photogrammetry for the purpose of coral reef monitoring

Knowledge of or experience with underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROV)

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor of Science degree in one of the marine environmental or biological sciences or education from an accredited college or university; and one year of verifiable related experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of five years.

Local travel throughout Southeast Florida and occasional long-distance travel. Valid Driver License.

Must be certified as an Advanced level 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. Must be able to work flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications:

A master’s degree in one of the marine environmental or biological sciences is preferred. Nitrox/enriched air specialty is preferred or ability to obtain within 6 months.

Background and 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. 

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_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

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.