ENGINEERING SPECIALIST I - 37010261

Requisition No: 827440 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENGINEERING SPECIALIST I - 37010261

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010261 

Salary:  Salary Range Annually $45,296.92- $47,296.92(Commensurate based on experience) 

Posting Closing Date: 05/17/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Engineering Specialist l

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

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. 

The Work You Will Do:

This Engineering Specialist I position in the Division of Air Resource Management’s Permit Review Section (PRS) reports directly to the Environmental Administrator. The primary responsibility of this position is for the technical review and processing of applications for air permits issued under the major source (Title V) air operation permit program and the new source review (NSR) air construction permit program.  Employee is expected to make well-reasoned recommendations and provide a complete work product in need of minimal editing for technical details, writing and grammar for the level of experience.  The position is also responsible for working to achieve goals identified in the Division’s Business Plan.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Division of Air Resource Management is charged with regulation of Florida’s air resource, including air quality monitoring, permitting and ensuring compliance of emission sources. Through a variety of services for our customers – the public and industry – the division regulates the state of Florida’s air resource fairly, consistently, and efficiently, while implementing state, federal, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements and enabling the economic development of the state. The Division provides these services through its Director’s Office, Office of Business Planning, Office of Air Monitoring, Permit Review Section, and Compliance Assurance Section.

How You Will Grow:

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:

Tallahassee, Florida’s Capitol City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.

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);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

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

Pay:

Salary Range Annually $45,296.92- $47,296.92(Commensurate based on experience)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Accomplishes the engineering technical work required in the review and processing of applications for air permits, including NSR air construction permits and Title V air operation permits.  Reviews assigned applications in a timely manner for completeness, technical and scientific accuracy, and adherence to state and federal requirements.  Determines completeness of applications, prepares requests for additional information (RAI) when necessary, prepares draft and final permits, public notices, rule applicability review, control equipment requirements, emission inventories, ambient air monitoring reviews and ambient impact assessments.  Prepares materials for and attends administrative hearings, as necessary.  Reviews and incorporates the work of meteorologist/modeler into the technical documents and information requests.  Enters all data into the Air Resource Management System (ARMS) upon issuance of each permit.  Position is responsible for managing and completing projects on time.  Keeps supervisor up to date on project status.  Adheres to the current permit metrics guidance.  Recommends process improvements.

Serves on a team working on special projects such as: updating industrial source emission inventories of historical and potential/permitted emissions that are in ambient air dispersion models; graphing emissions trends and forecasting future emissions using existing databases, including those of the Department, EPA, U.S. Department of Energy, etc.; determining possible impacts of federal regulations on industry and on Department resources.  Assists in preparation of project reports, presentations, statistical analyses, maps, graphics, etc.; and developing informational websites for internal and external use.

Productively interacts with the applicants, consultants, the public and other agencies during permit processing.  Works with applicants, consultants, and federal agencies during pre-application phase to determine emission inventory requirements and ambient air modeling protocols in collaboration with the meteorologist/modeler.  Provides technical and administrative guidance to district and local air permitting engineers, prospective applicants, consultants, and the general public on matters such as minor source permitting, Title V permitting, compliance, enforcement and monitoring issues.  Promotes statewide consistency in permitting and compliance.

Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of general environmental principles

Knowledge of industrial processes and activities

Knowledge of federal and state air regulations

Knowledge of permit processing

Knowledge of and computer systems, software, databases and the internet

Skilled in using Microsoft Office for email correspondence, word processing, spreadsheet development and graphics presentation software

Skilled in analyzing and interpreting technical data

Skilled in problem solving; conflict resolution

Skilled in preparing technical reports and documents for defensible permitting decisions

Skilled in explaining technical issues in plain language

Skilled in developing presentations to explain technical projects

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing

Ability to solve problems

Ability to independently plan, organize, coordinate and complete work assignments in a timely manner

Ability to understand, interpret, and apply rules, policies, procedures in a reasonable manner

Ability to use a personal computer

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

Ability to provide excellent customer service to the public, applicants, consultants and coworkers as well as staff in other divisions, districts and local air programs 

Other Job Related Requirements for this position:

Valid Driver’s License

Travel on state business

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering or one of the sciences including meteorology; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of four years.

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  

Contact Information:
David Read 850-717-9075 or David.Read@FloridaDEP.gov

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable 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

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.