ENGINEERING SPECIALIST IV - 37011520

Requisition No: 868966 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENGINEERING SPECIALIST IV - 37011520

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37011520 

Salary:  Annually $66,000 - $70,000 (Commensurate based on experience) 

Posting Closing Date: 01/28/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Engineering Specialist IV

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

INTERNAL AGENCY ONLY

Tallahassee, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

• Mentoring/ Supervising: This is a leadership position responsible for providing advice, coaching, training and support to entry and mid-level Engineering Specialists within the Section. This includes providing new employee orientation, an overview of the Department’s rules and regulations, detailing the business processes, engaging in technical discussions on specific project details, conducting peer reviews, and assisting with workloads. This position is responsible for supervising an entry-level Engineering Specialist l to include reviewing timesheets and conducting yearly evaluations.
• This is an intermediate engineering position that reports to the Environmental Administrator of the Permitting Review Section (PRS) in the Division of Air Resource Management.  The position is primarily responsible for the technical review and processing of applications for air permits issued under the major source programs for Title V air operation permits and new source review (NSR) air construction permits. Incumbent is expected to make well-reasoned recommendations and provide a complete work product in need of minimal editing for technical details, writing and grammar.  Incumbent serves as a technical expert for specific industries as well as the permitting process.
• Permit Processing: Reviews assigned applications in a timely manner for completeness, technical and scientific accuracy, and adherence to state and federal requirements. Drafts requests for additional information (when necessary) and permit packages in accordance with Florida Statutes, federal regulations, and Department’s rules and policies.  Accomplishes the technical work required in the review and processing of applications for air permits, with emphasis on new source review (NSR) air construction permits in accordance with the requirements for the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) of Air Quality and Title V air operation permits in accordance with Chapter 62-213, F.A.C.  Prepares permit documents including, but not limited to draft, proposed, and final permit packages; statement of basis; compliance assurance monitoring (CAM), technical evaluations and preliminary determinations, and determinations of Best Available Control Technology (BACT).  Enters related project data into the Air Resource Management System (ARMS) upon issuance of each permit.  Position requires minimal supervision to complete projects. 
• Expertise: Knowledge of State and Federal air regulations, specifically as they relate to air permitting of polluting emitting facilities required to perform the duties. Supports the Division as an industry expert regarding the permitting of Fertilizer Plants, Renewable Natural Gas projects from bio digestion and landfill gas, power plants, innovative technologies including facility types new to Florida and other industries as required by management. experience with regard to federal air regulations dealing with Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE) and state regulations dealing with permitting fees.  Expertise regarding the technical review and processing of applications subject to PSD preconstruction review by making technical recommendations for Best Available Control Technology (BACT) determinations in accordance with the state regulations and consistent with the top-down guidance developed by EPA.  Serves as a Division expert in air permit processing.
• State Coordinator: Serves as the coordinator for the statewide bimonthly permitting teleconference.  Position is responsible for scheduling and conducting the teleconference while also developing agenda topics and coordinating the answers to questions that arise during the teleconference.  Also, as needed, coordinates the statewide permit audit program of district and local air programs.
• Support: Conducts peer reviews of work conducted by other engineers, including permit program audits, and offers constructive critiques.  Recommends process improvements to supervisor.  In addition, this position is responsible for providing advice, mentoring, coaching, and training less experienced air permitting staff within the Office, the Districts, and the local air programs.  Acts as the permitting group’s technical expert with regards to state databases, SharePoint and other electronic databases and tools.
• Customer Service and Consistency: Provides excellent customer service to applicants, consultants, internal staff, and other agencies regarding emission inventories, annual operating reports, and Title V fee calculations/requirements. Assists division, district, and local air program staff with resolving air permitting issues.  Provides technical and procedural guidance to district and local programs, prospective applicants, consultants, and the public on permitting, reporting, applicability, and monitoring issues. Promotes statewide consistency in permitting by using/developing/maintaining standardized permit templates and model permits.  Assists supervisor to achieve program goals including program evaluations, streamlining processes, and the Division’s Business Plan.
• Other Duties: Performs other duties and assignments as requested by the supervisor, such as site inspections, rule analyses/development, peer reviews, DARM Safety Officer, etc.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of engineering principles

Knowledge of environmental programs

Knowledge of industrial processes/activities

Knowledge of federal and state air regulations

Knowledge of permit processing

Knowledge of computer systems, software, databases and the Internet

Knowledge of State and Federal air regulations, specifically as they relate to air permitting of polluting emitting facilities

Skilled in understanding, interpreting, and applying rules, policies, and procedures in a reasonable manner

Skilled in use of Microsoft Office products for email, word processing, spreadsheets and graphics presentation software

Skilled in analyzing and interpreting technical data

Skilled in problem solving and dispute resolution

Skilled in preparing/reviewing technical reports and documents for defensible permitting decisions

Skilled in communicating effectively, orally and in writing

Skilled in explaining technical issues in plain language

Skilled in developing presentations to explain technical projects

Ability to successfully evaluate complex projects

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

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

Ability to successfully interact with applicants, consultants, the public, and internal personnel in a tactful and courteous manner

Ability to work with and/or lead project teams

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver’s license

Travel on state business

At least seven years of verifiable related experience in engineering. Post secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering plus three years of verifiable related experience may be used as an alternative for the required seven years of verifiable related experience on a year-for-year basis. A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.

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.

Pay:

Salary Range Annually $66,000 - $70,000 (Commensurate based on experience)

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:

Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combine 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);
• Tuition waivers;
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• And more!

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

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.

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.