ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37021066

Requisition No: 857918 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37021066

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37021066 

Salary:  $43,230 

Posting Closing Date: 08/20/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37021066

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Bartow, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This is an entry-level environmental professional position in the Mining and Mitigation Program responsible for permitting activities, compliance assistance, and inspection activities. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support permitting and reclamation programs that are carried out statewide. Process, evaluate and recommend final action on all assigned mine reclamation conceptual plans, annual reports, notices of disturbance, as-built reclamation reports, dredge and fill permit applications, environmental resource permit applications, compliance/enforcement issues and other environmental and mine documents, in a timely and professional manner, preparing appropriate documentation.
• Perform field evaluations under all types of weather conditions and traverse rough terrain. Inspect and maintain awareness of mining/permitting/reclamation activities/compliance and enforcement and recommend solutions to existing problems.
• Perform or support in field evaluation of wetlands proposed to be disturbed by mining activities, construction activities and remaining natural resources.
• Support in investigating and evaluating complaints relating to all sources of pollution and initiate appropriate action.
• Responsible for the accurate and timely entry of required data and system information into agency databases and Oculus.
• Support in coordination within the department and with other state and federal agencies and interested groups concerning reclamation and mine permitting matters.
• Appropriately represent the Department in meetings and other forums with other agencies, the legislature, and the public.
• Maintain strong knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Maintain awareness of latest reclamation and restoration technology and native Florida ecosystems.
• Become familiar with Florida wetland plants, hydric soils, and the utilization of hydrologic indicators to identify wetlands.
• Perform land management activities on State Lands such as control of exotic plants, maintaining a native plant nursery, tree planting, property maintenance and security, habitat assessment and equipment maintenance, and participating in prescribed burns.
• Provides technical assistance in the planning, management, and compliance of: (1) lands of the State of Florida that are leased to the Division of Water Resource Management, (2) lands designated as part of the integrated Habitat Network and (3) other land for which the Division of Water Resource Management is the designated managing agency.
• Provide management and other staff members with periodic plans of action and status reports, written or oral, as needed, on assigned areas of responsibility. Assist with updating and verification of applicable files, maps and data accuracy updates or assisting with the updating of files, maps or data. Maintain up-to-date files and computer tracking. Maintain data, statistics, and technology information on all assigned activities and provide to staff, the public, other governmental agencies and the professional community as requested.
• Participates in training activities as required.
• Overnight travel is required.
• Performs related work as required by supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships;
• Ability to deal with the coworkers and public in a tactful and courteous manner;
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions;
• Ability to work both independently and as a team;
• Ability to solve problems;
• Report writing and computer skills required;
• Ability to work effectively and accurately while under deadline;
• Ability to prioritize extensive workload and maintain organized records;
• Ability to evaluate complex interrelationships;
• Basic knowledge of habitat management, restoration, and/or habitat rehabilitation techniques;
• Ability to pass a work capacity test associated with prescribed fire participation (walk test= 1 mile walk in 16 minutes)
• Basic ability to evaluate and interpret technical data;
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Skill in observing and reporting natural field conditions;
• Basic knowledge of biological functions related to Florida ecosystems;
• Ability to travel frequently and extensively throughout Florida to perform field inspections.
• Ability to work extended hours and endure physically demanding field inspections, including but not limited to traversing difficult upland/wetland terrain.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A valid driver’s license.
• At least 4 years of verifiable related experience.  Post-secondary degrees 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.
• Overnight travel is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree with a major in environmental science, engineering or one of the natural sciences.

Experience with prescribed fire, Florida ecosystems, and control of plants using herbicide is a preferred qualification but not a requirement.

Pay:

$43,230 annually

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 Homeland Office is located in Bartow, FL.  This position will give you the opportunity to work throughout Polk County.  Bartow is a small town less than 2 hours from Tampa and Orlando and popular tourist destinations.   Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you find yourself on the career ladder. 

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 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.