OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37979017

Requisition No: 880347 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37979017

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979017 

Salary:  agency to update 

Posting Closing Date: 08/17/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS Environmental Specialist II

Position# 37979017

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Anticipated Vacancy

This position is located in Punta Gorda, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This full-time position provides professional level assistance in the management and operation of Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves (CHAP) and includes office and field duties necessary to coordinate and conduct estuary resource management activities, watershed coordination activities, education and outreach and all other program activities related to resource protection and management of the Aquatic Preserves.

• Assist with CHAP’s various resource management activities, including water quality sampling, seagrass monitoring, submerged archaeological monitoring, colonial wading bird rookery monitoring, and ERP resource site inspections
• Assist with educational and outreach events and presentations
• Assist with data entry and analyses, generating reports, quality assurance activities, data management, coordinating volunteers, and working with partner agencies
• Complete projects as identified in the CHAP management plan
• Assist with purchasing, budget and grant needs and prepares necessary paperwork (timesheet, float plans, activity reports, etc.)
• Assist with vehicle, vessel and building maintenance
• Aids in the event of an emergency including pre-storm preparation, post-storm clean-up and other assignments as requested

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Florida’s estuarine environment and the flora and fauna including Florida’s submerged resources and habitats
• Knowledge of water quality and natural resource monitoring techniques
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Experience with writing and publishing technical reports
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point, Access, Publisher, Adobe and ArcGIS
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Understand and apply rules, regulations, and procedures
• Communicate with the public in a courteous manner
• Experience in water quality monitoring and submerged resource monitoring
• Experience with habitat restoration
• Extensive experience with fieldwork
• Knowledge of safe boating operation in shallow waters
• Experience with small watercraft operations and trailering
• Ability to travel for fieldwork and training, with occasional overnight travel
• Capable of bending, squatting, and lifting up to 50 pounds
• Perform other related duties and training as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree with a major in one of the Physical or Natural Sciences from an accredited college or university. A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.

• At least one year of verifiable monitoring or research in aquatic environments
• Valid Class E 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.

Applicable Job-Specific License or Certifications:

• Must obtain a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Florida Boating Safety Card if born on or after January 1, 1988, in accordance with section 327.395 of the Florida Statutes
• Must obtain DEP Watercraft and Trailer Certification in accordance with section 287.17 of the Floria Statutes
• Must obtain DEP Snorkel Certification in accordance with the Florida Department of Environmental Protections Underwater Operations Manual

Preferred Qualifications:

• SCUBA Certification

Pay:

36,317.26 to 41,600.00 Commensurate with experience

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s leading 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 Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves office is located in Punta Gorda, Florida.

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.