OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37979057

Requisition No: 854990 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37979057

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979057 

Salary:  $17.00 Per Hour 

Posting Closing Date: 07/03/2025 

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OPS Environmental Specialist I

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Port St. Joe, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The OPS Environmental Specialist I serves as the Resource Restoration Specialist for the St. Joseph State Buffer Preserve part of the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection. The primary duties include addressing conservation, preservation and restoration of upland and wetland natural communities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology and principles of the physical or natural sciences.
• Knowledge of the operation of field monitoring equipment.

• Work and communicate effectively with the staff, volunteers, public and representatives of other agencies in a tactful and courteous manner both verbally and in writing.

• Work independently and efficiently while conducting land management activities and being self-motivated on work initiatives; at times this may involve extended hours in the field in sometimes adverse weather conditions.

• Ability to work various hours and weekends to assist with prescribed fires and festivals, which will go over the eight-hour scheduled day.

• Ability to be adaptable, flexible, and resourceful and to maintain a positive outlook.

• Ability to lift and carry 50-pounds while walking over uneven terrain.

• Ability to successfully meet position-specific DRP Burn Standards for Prescribed Fire.

Minimum Qualifications:

At least one year of verifiable related experience in physical, natural, or educational sciences.  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.

Candidates for this position who have not already passed the light pack test must be able to pass the annual DEP requirements for prescribed fire. This includes the light pack test and fire refresher course per DEP burn standards. Candidates must be able to walk 1 mile in less than 16 minutes to be considered for this position. Candidates must be able to perform this task within 30 days of accepting the position. 

Successful completion of annual pack test per DRP Burn Standard.

Valid Driver License is required

Position of Special Trust Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

The Preserve has a small team of dedicated individuals who excel at a wide variety of resource management tasks, collaborating together while also working independently in remote areas. The successful applicant will demonstrate an ability to learn quickly, communicate effectively, and have a proven ability to be adaptable. Performs other duties as required and assigned. Responsible for, assist with and/or actively participates in the planning, coordinating, and implementing of activities such as resource management, maintenance, administration, protection and enhancing public appreciation.

• Experience collecting and recording resource management data for research projects including monitoring, surveys, site restoration projects, prescribed burning, hydrological restoration, management plans and other type activities.
• Experience with generation of professional ArcGIS maps.
• Experience using a wide variety of hand tools and heavy powered equipment such as tractor, chainsaws and UTV’s, and conducting preventative maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
• Ability to identify opportunities and strategies to proactively communicate the Preserves mission and provide clear, concise, and consistent information to the public.

• Must have a High School diploma

   

Pay:

The approved pay rate for this position is $17.00 per hour for 40 working hours per week. 

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 position will reside at the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve, located in Port St. Joe, Florida, within Gulf County. The surrounding area is rural and dominated by a working waterfront. Port St. Joe is a small community reliant on tourism and the fishing industry. Our offices are positioned directly on the coast of the St. Joseph Bay. Less than 5% of a working day is required to travel to locations within the county to perform mission critical duties.

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*).  
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan, for more information, please visit Corebridge Financial).
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• And more!

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

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

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.