ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37011214

Requisition No: 868238 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37011214

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37011214 

Salary:  $51,479.40 

Posting Closing Date: 01/21/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest District

This position is located in Pensacola, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This is second level intermediate level environmental work performing scientific tasks with limited supervision.  The Environmental Specialist III must possess and continuously expand upon a broad range of knowledge of state and federal regulations to coordinate compliance and enforcement for sites with groundwater, surface water, and/or soil contamination.  The position is responsible for project management involving compliance, enforcement, and tracking progress of moderately complex to complex cleanup projects to include the following responsibilities: 

• Evaluates impacts of projects and activities provided in geologic, engineering, and hydro geologic assessment plans and reports, monitoring plans and data, and other required documentation for site project management involving compliance and enforcement of assigned cleanup projects.
• Draft appropriate review documents, applicable enforcement documents, and other correspondence with minimal corrections or oversight.
• Track project progress through timely data entry and database maintenance.
• Coordinates and tracks the progress of technical and legal reviews of assigned cleanup projects.
• Effectively communicates technical issues and proposes solutions.
• Communicates and meets with site owners to ensure required or agreed upon dates are met and to educate/assist with compliance when necessary.
• Conducts field reconnaissance and site surveys as needed.
• Positively represents the Department in communication and meetings involving technical soil and water quality issues related to waste cleanup projects.

External Compliance Assistance, Outreach, Training and Partnership Implementation

• Targets specific areas of industry non-compliance within the district and coordinates outreach efforts.
• Seeks and cultivates positive partnering relationships to provide education and guidance to people responsible for site rehabilitation (and/or their representatives)
• Supports, develops, participates in, and/or assists in the execution of outreach events for the regulated community.
• Provides excellent customer service.
• Participates in training and is a self-advocate for training needs. Occasionally participates in training workshops and courses related to ground water management and protection issues and policies.

Performs other duties as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
2. Ability to understand and apply applicable State and Federal rules, regulations, policies & procedures relating to environmental programs.
3. Skill in collecting, recording and analyzing and interpreting scientific or technical data.
4. 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.
5. Skill in collecting, recording, and/or analyzing/evaluating scientific data relating to contamination assessment, remediation, monitoring, and site closure.
6. Ability to evaluate, analyze and interpret aerial photography, site plans and drawings.
7. Knowledge of engineering design, construction, operations techniques, principles, and terminology.
8. Ability to serve the public, DEP’s stakeholders and each other in a courteous and timely manner.
9. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing.
10. Ability to maintain effective and productive working relationships with others.
11. Skill in dealing with conflicts, confrontations, and disagreements in a positive manner.
12. Ability to effectively prepare, prioritize, and organize work, meetings, and projects to meet deadlines and quality expectations.
13. Ability to effectively solve problems and make competent decisions. 
14. Ability to demonstrate personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability.
15. Skill and proficiency in computer operations and programs such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint and Outlook.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver License
• Ability to travel, including some overnight.
• 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 6 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.
• 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.
• Position requires the incumbent have 24 hours of safety training as required by OSHA 1910. L ZO(E) to be completed once appointed and subsequent annual 8-hour refresher training.

Pay:
Annual salary - $51,479.40

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.

Special Notes:

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.