ENGINEERING SPECIALIST I - 37020037

Requisition No: 832930 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENGINEERING SPECIALIST I - 37020037

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020037 

Salary:  Annual Salary: $38,175.54 - $46,955.04 (Commensurate with experience) 

Posting Closing Date: 09/30/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENGINEERING SPECIALIST I - 37020037

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Division of Waste Management

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 create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem. 

The Work You Will Do:

This is a technical Engineering Specialist I position located in the Division of Waste Management, Solid Waste Program & Permitting Section.  The selected incumbent of this positon will use knowledge of engineering principles and practices to assist with reviews, evaluations and approvals of contructions, operation, closure and renewal permit applciations. In addition, will provide technical assistance to local governments, consultants and citizens concerning solid waste technologies and regulations governing Class I landfill, CCR units, WTE facilities, Class III landfills, waste processing facilities, waste tire facilities, and construction and demolition debris disposal facilities.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Engineering Specialist I participates in meetings with representatives from the regulated community and federal, state, and local governments, and develops reports as required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection;  and assists with other duties as required.  The Engineering Specialist I also works with managers to plan and prioritize activities and projects in line with DEP’s strategic objectives and find integral solutions on a variety of solid waste management challenges.  The Engineering Specialist I coordinates with Division and District staff to facilitate statewide consistency and safeguard Florida’s natural resources.

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: Annual Salary: $38,175.54 - $46,955.04 (Commensurate with experience)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

• This engineering position assists with reviews, evaluations, and approvals of construction, operation, closure and renewal permit applications and prepares the draft permit documents.  The facilities included in these activities are active, non-delegated Class I landfills and other solid waste facilities co-located at these landfills including solid waste operations such as CCR units, Class III landfills, waste processing facilities, waste tire facilities, and construction and demolition debris disposal facilities.  It also includes solid waste permitting at WTE facilities and associated WTE disposal and co-located facilities. Ensures the permitting time clocks for these reviews are achieved. 

• Prepares appropriate correspondence to applicants, local and state officials, local and state agencies, consultants and other in-house Department programs as required.  Coordinates with appropriate District office staff on these projects as needed.  Input application fees and related permitting data into appropriate Department databases. 

• Assists with the review of technical reports and analytical data to determine compliance with Department regulations and standards.  Provides assistance to District staff regarding engineering compliance and enforcement efforts at solid waste facilities. Provides technical assistance related to permit conditions and reporting requirements to appropriate district staff to help them prepare case documentation and other types of correspondence to persons responsible for compliance with Florida Statutes and Administrative Codes related to solid waste management facilities. 

• Provides technical assistance to local governments, consultants and citizens concerning solid waste technologies and regulations governing Class I landfill, CCR units, WTE facilities, Class III landfills, waste processing facilities, waste tire facilities, and construction and demolition debris disposal facilities.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of engineering principles and practices. 
• Skills in the operation of personal computers and related software.
• Physical ability to conduct solid waste management facility inspections.
• Ability to successfully draft/evaluate complex and/or controversial permits or similar compliance concerns.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department staff, other agency staff and the public.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, environmental science, or one of the natural sciences; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of four years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred is an Engineering Degree and or experience.

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

• Valid Driver's License
• Travel is required.

POSITION OF SPECIAL TRUST REQUIREMENT: 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:

El Kromhout, Environmental Administrator

Permitting & Compliance Assistance Program/Solid Waste Program & Permitting

Email: Elizabeth.Kromhout@FloridaDEP.gov

Phone No. 850-245-8744

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.