ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010420

Requisition No: 859859 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010420

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010420 

Salary:  $51,479.52 

Posting Closing Date: 09/04/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III 
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest District
**Internal Agency Only**
This position is located in Pensacola, FL.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:
This is a second level intermediate environmental position in the Environmental Resource Permitting Program responsible for permitting activities related, but not limited to, ERP permitting. At this level, employees may perform a full range of assignments, or perform a narrow range of assignments independently under limited supervision. The work requires applying a scientific understanding to analyze problems of a specialized nature in a wide range of applications. This includes:

• With minimal assistance, review and evaluate varying levels of complex Environmental Resource permit applications to include Stormwater (exemptions or general permits that require engineer review, or an Individual Permit with a single best management practices stormwater management system) for conformance to state and federal rules and regulations.
• Process (to include recommending issuance or denial of) mid to complex permits and/or documents and requests for additional information, when required, that are consistent with prescribed rules and department guidance and procedures.
• Perform site inspections, as necessary, in support of permit application reviews and evaluations.
• Responsible for the accurate and timely entry of required data and system information into agency databases and Oculus.
• Provide technical assistance to the compliance assurance program as needed.
• Provide regulatory assistance, such as outreach, permitting determinations, exemptions and compliance assistance to permittee and/or company representatives, other department programs, delegated local programs, and other interested parties.
• Participate in training activities as required.
• Coordinate and facilitate program-specific training for staff.
• Coordinate review of complex data with Division staff and subject matter experts.
• Must Pass the DEP approved training course and have prior approval to snorkel for the Department. Snorkel as needed. Employee must adhere to the DEP Snorkeling Policy and Directive 710.
• Performs other duties as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Ability to serve the public, DEP’s stakeholders and each other in a courteous and timely manner.
2. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
3. Ability to maintain effective and productive working relationships with others.
4. Skill in dealing with conflicts, confrontations, and disagreements in a positive manner.
5. Ability to effectively prepare, prioritize, and organize work, meetings, and projects to meet deadlines and quality expectations.
6. Ability to effectively solve problems and make competent decisions.  
7. Ability to demonstrate personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability.
8. Skill and proficiency in computer operations and programs such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint and Outlook.
9. Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
10. Ability to understand and apply applicable State and Federal rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
11. Skill in collecting, evaluating, analyzing and interpreting scientific or technical data.
12. Ability to conduct field inspections/investigations that may involve working outdoors for extended periods of time in temperatures and weather conditions typical of Florida and navigating areas with rough terrain.
13. Ability to identify soils, plants and wildlife in aquatic and wetland ecosystems found in Florida.
    Ability to evaluate, analyze and interpret aerial photography, site plans and drawings.
14. Knowledge of engineering design, construction, operations techniques, principles, and terminology.
15. Ability to train, motivate and inspire others to achieve team goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver License and ability to travel overnight as needed.
• At least 6 years of verifiable related experience in Environmental/Regulatory and or Engineering. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in Natural Science, Environmental Science or Engineering may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis. A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.
• Must become and maintain DEP’s Certified Wetland Evaluator certification within 60-90 days if not already certified. 
• Pursuant to the sections 110.1127 and 435.04, Florida Statutes, and DEP Directive 422, Background Investigation, is required to successfully complete a background and fingerprint check.

Pay:

Annual salary - $51,479.52

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 advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy. 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 Northwest District is located along the Gulf Coast. We proudly serve 16 counties in the Florida panhandle including Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington. This district has three offices located in Pensacola, Panama City and Tallahassee. This position is available in Pensacola located downtown at 160 W. Government St. Pensacola, FL., 32502.

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);
• Tuition waivers;
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool;
• And more!

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

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable 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

An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 245-2511. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

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.