ENGINEERING SPECIALIST III - 37010358

Requisition No: 839367 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENGINEERING SPECIALIST III - 37010358

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010358 

Salary:  $46,000-48,000 

Posting Closing Date: 11/29/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Engineering Specialist III-37010358

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

The Work You Will Do:

This Engineering Specialist III position performs advanced professional work under the direction of the Program Administrator for the Division of Water Resource Management’s Wastewater Management Program located in Tallahassee, Florida.  The ideal candidate will possess discipline-specific knowledge, and leadership and technical skills needed to promote the sustainability, implementation and efficiency of state and federal regulations related to industrial pretreatment and reuse of reclaimed water.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Engineering Specialist III participates in meetings with representatives from the regulated community and federal, state, and local governments; develops reports as required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and assists with other duties as required. The Environmental Specialist II also works with managers to plan and prioritize activities and projects in line with DEP’s strategic objectives and to find integrated solutions to a variety of challenges. DEP fosters an atmosphere for environmental professionals to develop working relationships with various stakeholder groups within the Department and across the state. Being a part of DEP allows you to not only grow professionally but personally while achieving the goal of protecting the State of Florida’s vital 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: $46,000-48,000/annually (commensurate with experience)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The incumbent in this position performs professional work in the Wastewater Management Program under the direction of the Program Administrator, assisting with the coordination of the Department’s pretreatment program (Section 403.064 and 373.250, Florida Statutes).

The duties of the Engineering Specialist III:

• Performs industrial pretreatment program inspections and audits to ensure compliance with the State and NPDES program requirements.
• Verifies the compliance status of domestic wastewater treatment plants, focusing on compliance monitoring and enforcement activities.
• Assists Department staff and management with interpretations of rules and policies. Assist in training and providing technical guidance to staff and management on the industrial pretreatment program. Assists in developing standard permit conditions and DEP’s wastewater permit generating tool (Permit Builder).
• Consults with, coordinates with, and responds to inquiries from state and federal agencies, local governments, regional planning agencies, businesses, professional interests, engineering firms, and the public on wastewater management issues (including pretreatment and reuse rules). With supervision, provides training and makes technical presentations to inform these interests about the Department’s Pretreatment and Water Reuse Programs.
• Assists in reviewing pretreatment program submissions for consistency with the State and NPDES permitting program requirements. Provides technical review of pretreatment local discharge limitations, plans of studies, reports, and other deliverables. Promotes consistency and coordination of wastewater regulatory efforts in the Wastewater Management Program.
• Assists in coordinating State permitting activities related to wastewater (including both domestic and industrial wastewater) with the district offices and other Department staff.
• Participates in the Department’s Water Tracker call center activities during emergency events.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

• Knowledge of state and federal permitting requirements and procedures.
• Ability to understand and apply wastewater treatment (domestic and industrial) concepts and principles.
• Ability to communicate information effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to prioritize workload.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and apply scientific and/ or engineering data.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to research and understand state, federal, and local wastewater rules and regulations.
• Ability to research and understand wastewater facilities.

Required Qualifications: . 

A 4-year degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, environmental science or one of the natural sciences or public health sciences and 1 years of related professional experience OR 6 years of related professional experience can substitute.

Pursuant to the sections 110.1127 and 435.04, Florida Statues, and DEP Directive 422, Background Investigation, is required to successfully complete a background and fingerprint check. 

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

Valid Class E Driver License. Travel is required

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.  

                                                                                                                                                                                       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.