ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37020723

Requisition No: 857987 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37020723

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020723 

Salary:  $55,620.00 annual 

Posting Closing Date: 08/19/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III- Central Florida Aquatic Preserve (CFAP) Manager

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Sanford, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Environmental Manager, this position provides an environmental professional level of oversight of the Wekiva-Middle St. Johns and Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserves, including the daily administrative, operational, and oversight tasks required to accomplish resource protection.
• As aquatic preserve manager, you will promote the aquatic preserve program in your region, creating awareness of the value of the preserves while helping to manage sustainable use and access in partnership with other DEP divisions and agencies.
• This position works in DEP’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (ORCP).
• This position will
  • plan, coordinate, and implement resource management and research projects within the preserve to protect or enhance the resources or better understand their function,
  • cooperate with or assist other researchers to maximize the accomplished research,
  • pursue grants and other sources of funding or assistance to accomplish resource management needs,
  • prepares, in coordination with supervisor, management plans for the preserves, including seeking public input and participate in planning or reviewing resource management goals and objectives at the office, department, regional and statewide levels, where appropriate, to ensure that site specific issues are addressed by higher level plans and vice versa,
  • attend and represent the ORCP at meetings, and make presentations as needed to ensure that the public and other agencies are aware of the site-specific issues and management objectives,
  • provide technical assistance to departmental, regional, or local permitting, planning or enforcement authorities to ensure that regulations are properly implemented, applied, and enforced,
  • conduct educational activities to better acquaint the public and resource users with the natural resources and resource protection needs of the preserves. Activities include teaching classes, conducting interpretive field trips, answering phone calls, and distributing available literature. Develop literature, courses, and presentations, if necessary, to promote understanding of local resources,
  • coordinates volunteer efforts to assist with resource management needs,
  • serves as the liaison between CFAP office and its Citizen Support Organization, Aquatic Preserve Alliance of Central Florida, Inc.,
  • routinely conduct field visit to establish DEP presence in aquatic preserves, including but not limited to, travel to aquatic preserves via vessels to document conditions, report any notable changes, become aquatinted with the resource, review permitted facilities, and document any violations,
  • administer the field office to accomplish program goals including tracking budget, purchasing, and providing reports required by the central office, department, or granting agency,
  • review and approve time and attendance of direct reports. Stay up to date on all department administrative procedures and ensures that staff are properly trained in administrative and operational procedures. Ensure reports have completed all required training in a timely manner. Uphold all DEP Directives to ensure a safe working environment,
  • operate vehicles, vessels, field equipment and personal computers as required to accomplish tasks. Ensure that all assigned vehicles, boats, field equipment and office equipment are properly maintained, and are safe and operable.
  • and is responsible for office facility upkeep and securing contractors as needed for repairs/maintenance.  
• The position will supervise one position: OPS Environmental Specialist I.
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of central Florida freshwater and estuarine ecology (submerged aquatic vegetation); operate personal computers and related software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, web software and GIS software. Knowledge of DEP environmental resources permitting. Skilled in boat handling, trailering and safety.  CPR -First Aid certification preferred. Ability to pass snorkeling/swimming test.  Ability to monitor natural resources for environmental impacts; critically analyze data, speak publicly; effectively communicate with regulated interests, volunteers, and user groups; maintain positive and effective working relationship with other staff, partner organizations, and the general public; perform physically demanding work in hot, humid, and/or wet field conditions, work on weekends or after hours if necessary; communicate verbally and in writing; maintain a valid driver’s license.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least four years of verifiable related experience in biological or environmental management fields.  Post-secondary degrees may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis.

• 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.

Applicable Job-Specific License or Certifications:

Ability to complete FDEP boat trailering and operation certification, FDEP kayaking/paddling certification within the first three months of hiring will be a requirement of this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

First Aid-CPR certification preferred.

Pay:

$55,620.00 annual.

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:

Sanford – The Central Florida Aquatic Preserves office is in the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park. Surrounded by mature oak trees and home to numerous gopher tortoises, the office sits along the Florida Trail and is within walking distance of Katie’s Landing kayak launch. The region has exceptional kayaking, hiking and camping opportunities, yet is situated close to two major airports and within driving distance of the Atlantic coast. The Central Florida Aquatic Preserves office is located at Central Florida Aquatic Preserves Office, 8300 FL-46, Sanford, FL 32771.

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

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.