OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37979180

Requisition No: 872318 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37979180

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979180 

Salary:  $17.00 - $19.50 an hour and is negotiable depending on experience. 

Posting Closing Date: 04/17/2026 

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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 a detail-oriented administrative, volunteer and educational specialist professional within the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (RCP) at the St. Joseph State Buffer Preserve.

The ideal candidate demonstrates adaptability, strong communication skills, and a quick learning capacity, contributing meaningfully to both operational support and community engagement efforts. Work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends, as required. Performs other duties as required and assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles, practices, and procedures
• Office operations, computer systems, and organizational methods
• Coordinating meetings, taking accurate minutes, proofreading documents, and preparing reports

Skill in:

• Effective verbal and written communication with strong grammar, punctuation, and spelling
• Accurate preparation of reports, correspondence, and other documents
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel
• Public speaking and facilitation of events, programs, and presentations
• Public education and community outreach
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet strict deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, the public, and external agencies
• Professional, tactful, and courteous interaction with the public in diverse settings

Ability to:

• Operate general office equipment and standard administrative tools
• Understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, resourcefulness, and a positive attitude
• Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments and schedules while working independently
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Compile, organize, and analyze data accurately
• Prepare correspondence and administrative reports
• Research, plan, and prepare educational, interpretive, and promotional materials and programs
• Coordinate and support special events, programs, and festivals

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 4 years of verifiable related experience in administrative support, education and outreach. 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.

• Valid Driver’s License

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.

Pay:

Hiring pay range is $17.00 - $19.50 an hour and is negotiable depending on experience.

We request that applicants submit their salary requirements with their application.

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.

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.