ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37020902

Requisition No: 843759 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37020902

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020902 

Salary:  $54,000 - $58,500/annually (commensurate with experience) 

Posting Closing Date: 01/10/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

OPEN COMPETITIVE (OPEN FOR ALL)

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:

The Environmental Consultant for the Onsite Sewage Program (OSP) plays a crucial role at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by overseeing the effective regulation of individuals and businesses in the onsite sewage field. This position ensures that regulated industries comply with state environmental standards, thereby safeguarding public health and the environment.

This position is located within the Onsite Sewage Program, a vital component of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's efforts to manage and protect the state's water resources.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the statewide septic tank contractor licensing, private provider inspector registration and business authorization program.
• Review and approve septic tank contracting course providers and continuing education courses.
• Coordinate with field staff and the Office of General Counsel on complaints and enforcement cases associated with the onsite sewage industry.
• Crosstrain to support functions in the Onsite Sewage Program including Chapter 381, F.S., variance requests and other special projects.

This position is essential to the agency's mission of protecting Florida's natural resources and ensuring the health and safety of its residents through effective management of onsite sewage systems.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Environmental Consultant for the Onsite Sewage Program is responsible for ensuring that onsite sewage systems are properly installed, maintained and repaired by qualified people and businesses. This role helps prevent the contamination of Florida’s groundwater and surface waters. Properly functioning septic systems prevent untreated wastewater from entering natural habitats, protecting Florida’s diverse ecosystems, including its rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Clean water is also essential for public health, as it reduces the risk of waterborne illnesses and ensures clean water resources for communities.

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 - 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:

$54,000 - $58,500/annually (commensurate with experience) 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This advanced environmental position provides onsite sewage program expertise to county health departments, Department of Environmental Protection staff, other state or federal agencies, industry organizations and the public. Programmatic areas of responsibility include coordination of and assistance with the following: (1) statewide septic tank contractor and private provider inspector registration and septic tank contractor business authorization implementation, (2) continuing education provider and course approvals, (3) regulated industry complaints and enforcement tracking, (4) technical assistance and rule interpretation and (5) programmatic policy and procedure review and implementation. Additional responsibilities to support programmatic work include collaboration, communication, administrative functions and project management.

Septic tank contractor and private provider inspector related duties:

• Manage the statewide septic tank contractor registration program.
• Coordinate with the Operator Certification Program on septic tank contractor applications.
• Administer, review and approve septic tank contractor examinations.
• Audit septic tank contractors and associated businesses.
• Act as backup subject matter expert for 1) private provider inspector registry management, 2) program staff and regulated industry examinations and 3) private provider complaints and enforcement.

Training planning, facilitation and programmatic representation duties:

• Reviews and approves applications for septic tank contracting course providers and continuing education courses.
• Monitor statewide training needs.
• Provide statewide training to program staff and regulated industry.
• Represent the program at departmental, professional and civic meetings.
• Assist with programmatic disaster preparedness and response activities.

Complaints and enforcement duties:

• Primary program coordinator for regulated industry complaints and enforcement data entry and follow-up.
• Coordinate enforcement activities with county health departments and legal counsel.
• Initiate and process administrative complaints or citations as appropriate.
• Investigate complaints and mediate disputes received from CHDs, other state or federal agencies, septic tank contractors, land developers, builders and impacted citizens.
• Serve as department witness in legal and administrative proceedings.

Technical assistance duties:

• Provide technical assistance and interpretations on all aspects of the onsite sewage program to county health departments, other agencies, professionals, industry and to the public.
• Backup for variance duties.

Policy and procedure development duties:

• Assist in development, coordination and implementation of statewide policies and procedures for the Onsite Sewage Program.
• Review and recommend updates for program policies and procedures.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Work independently, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.

Required Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 2-years of verifiable related experience; or Any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of six years.

Preferred Qualifications:

Possess or be qualified to obtain within 6 months of employment, an active Environmental Health Professional Certification in the area of Onsite Sewage Systems, or be a Registered Sanitarian, or the equivalent, all as required in s.381.0101, Florida Statutes.

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

Valid Driver License.

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.