ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37021120

Requisition No: 841935 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37021120

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37021120 

Salary:  $54,000.00 - $57,000.00/annually (Commensurate with experience) 

Posting Closing Date: 12/06/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Consultant

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 is an Environmental Consultant position within the Quality Assurance/Standardization subsection of the Division of Water Resource Management’s Onsite Sewage Program office. The individual will work under the supervision of the Environmental Administrator as part of a small team providing subject matter expertise, training, and quality assurance reviews for OSTDS permitting and enforcement activities within the program statewide.

The Difference You Will Make:

You will be an important and valued member of our team helping prevent and resolve OSTDS permitting and enforcement issues that impact Floridians, our environment, and visitors across the state. By promoting consistency in the implementation of applicable rules, policies, and statutes statewide, you will help in the reduction of environmental impacts and promotion of environmental and public health. Your unique experiences and voice will help shape the subsection’s efforts and influence future rule and policy.

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:

The incumbent will have the option to have their office location assigned to either the Orlando or Tallahassee office.

Orlando - Orlando, heart of the theme park capital of the world, nestled at the center of the Orlando metropolitan area boasting easy drives to both coasts, and all the springs, rivers, forests, and hills in between. With a diversity of experiences and paces of life here and within an easy commute, you can live in the City Beautiful or a charming small Florida town nearby. Orlando has world-class theaters, sports venues, entertainment, Michelin-star dining, and a diversity of cultural experiences all within easy reach of nearby beaches, motorsports, and the space coast, ensuring you have your pick of how you blend Florida’s natural charm with the truly modern whether your focus is night-life or family life. Major roadways, great school systems, major universities, commuter and high speed rail, international air and seaports, and the nation’s spaceport within easy reach make the Orlando Metropolitan area the perfect gateway to explore your future.

Tallahassee - Tallahassee, Florida’s Capitol City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.

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:

$54,000.00 - $57,000.00/annually (Commensurate with experience)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Performs evaluations of Onsite Sewage program implementation by county health departments and the department’s onsite sewage field operation staff. Completes special projects to ensure compliance with law and rule. Provides written report with findings and makes recommendations for program improvements.

Routinely provides interpretations of health and environmental statutes and rules to CHDs, other agencies, professionals, industry, and the general public. Regularly provides statewide technical assistance to CHDs and industry.

Investigates complaints and mediates disputes in the Onsite Sewage program area.  Coordinates on enforcement issues.

Provides, prepares, and updates statewide training, conducts regional consistency meetings for employees who work in the onsite sewage program and provides training and participates in industry meetings when requested. Administers examinations.  Serves as instructor and alternate for the Accelerated Certification Training.

Regularly prepares reviews, edits, and promulgates technical memoranda, technical guides, and articles for publications and rules which are used statewide by environmental health personnel in county health departments. This position also assists in the development, coordination and implementation of statewide policies and procedures in the onsite sewage program. Adheres to program office policy regarding reporting and documentation.

Performs other duties and assignments as requested by the Program Administrator or the Environmental Administrator.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
• Skills in customer service and problem solving.
• Significant knowledge in the identification of Florida soils and wet season water table determination using USDA NRCS methodology.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to work in a team or independently.
• Ability to prepare technical and programmatic reports.
• Ability to work with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with others.
• Ability to perform field work and provide classroom instruction.
• Skill in the use of personal computers, computer programs, creating presentations, and spreadsheets.
• Ability to complete work assignments without close supervision.
• Ability to Travel.

Required Qualifications:

• Valid Driver License.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, environmental science or one of the natural sciences and three years of verifiable related experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of seven years
• Current Environmental Health Professional (CEHP) in the area of Onsite Sewage or Registered Sanitarian in accordance with s. 381.0101, Florida Statutes.
• Ability to travel statewide for periods ranging from one day up to one week at a time to provide and obtain training or provide technical assistance multiple times per year.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful completion of the Accelerated Certification Training program for the Onsite Sewage Program and five years of permitting and inspection experience in the onsite sewage program.
• Experience with interpretation of onsite sewage treatment system rules and statutes.
• Familiarity with USDA NRCS methodology to estimate Wet Season Water Table elevations.
• Experience providing instruction in classroom, field, and webinar settings.

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

POSITION OF SPECIAL TRUST 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.

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.