ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37001038

Requisition No: 851720 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37001038

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001038 

Salary:  $42,230.00 

Posting Closing Date: 05/11/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist I - 37001038

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

OPEN COMPETITIVE

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 Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (ORCP) implements state and federal regulation to protect our natural resources, springs, estuaries and beaches.

The incumbent will be a Compliance Officer for the Beaches, Inlets and Ports Program (BIPP). BIPP is comprised of four sections: Permitting, Compliance, Resource Review, and Strategic Planning and Coordination. BIPP regulates coastal construction activities that are within the regulatory authority of Chapters 120, 161, 253, 258, 373, and 403, Florida Statutes. For more information on the Beaches, Inlets and Ports Program, see the following link: https://floridadep.gov/RCP/Beaches-Inlets-Ports

The Difference You Will Make:

The 825 miles of sandy coastline fronting the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida are one of Florida’s most valuable natural resources. These sandy beaches provide a home to many species of plants and animals, they are the primary attraction for millions of tourists each year and they are the first line of defense against storms. BIPP team members work in concert to protect the shoreline from activities that could contribute to erosion or otherwise adversely impact environmental resources. As the Compliance Officer you will work closely with the regulated community and the public to provide compliance and enforcement support for Joint Coastal Permits (JCP) and Environmental Resource Permits (ERP) issued by BIPP.

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 Capital 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.  Boasting proximity to the coast and centrally located to popular tourist destinations, 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.  Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you find yourself on the career ladder. 

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:  $42,230.00

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This entry level environmental position is responsible for permitting and compliance activities associated with coastal construction projects. The incumbent evaluates and processes Joint Coastal Permits (JCP), Environmental Resource Permits (ERP) and the associated sovereignty submerged land (SSL) authorizations; ensures compliance with permit conditions; and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to preserve, restore, and protect Florida's beaches and coastal ecosystems. This role requires an understanding of coastal systems, marine ecology, Florida’s environmental regulations, and effective project management. The incumbent must maintain comprehensive knowledge of applicable statutes, rules, and policies, including Chapters 120, 161, 253, 258, 373, and 403, Florida Statutes.

Permitting

• Process JCP, ERP and the associated SSL applications in accordance with statutes, rules, and procedures.
• Evaluate the effects of proposed coastal construction projects, to identify adverse impacts to the coastal system.
• Collaborate with applicants and subject matter experts to minimize environmental impacts and offset any unavoidable impacts through mitigation.
• Prepare and draft technical reports, agency action documents, and correspondence related to permits.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external agencies to conduct application reviews efficiently, ensure enforceability of proposed permit conditions and meet statutory timeframes.

Compliance

• Maintain accurate compliance records using the Department’s database(s), document management system(s) in accordance with program procedures.
• Monitor and track construction events and permit-required deliverables, for procedural, physical, and biological compliance with the associated permit.
• Distribute, review and analyze project monitoring reports and technical data to ensure adherence to permit conditions in accordance with procedures.
• Coordinate with permittees, regulatory stakeholders, and external stakeholders to resolve compliance issues, including compliance outreach, and the enforceability of permit conditions, in a timely manner.
• Conduct field inspections to assess compliance at construction sites and provide technical guidance to permittees and contractors.
• Prepare compliance documents, including Compliance Assistance Offers, Warning Letters, and reports on non-compliance.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Communicate and coordinate extensively with applicants/permittees, federal and state agencies, contractors, and the public, including training and outreach as necessary.
• Represent the program in meetings (e.g. Pre-application, Pre-Construction meetings) and collaborate with internal teams, including the project managers, to ensure comprehensive project oversight.

Other Duties

Perform additional duties as assigned to support the mission and objectives of the program.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the concepts, principles and analytical techniques of the natural or physical sciences as they relate to coastal environments and marine ecological systems.
• Skill in the use of personal computers, spreadsheets, as well as industry-specific database applications, software and electronic devices.
• Ability to understand and implement applicable statutes, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and standards e.g., Florida’s Water Quality Standards.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally (verbally and in writing).
• Ability to collect, analyze, evaluate, and interpret scientific and technical data.
• Ability to organize, plan, coordinate and conduct multiple work assignments effectively, without close supervision.
• Ability to plan and conduct field inspections and report on the assessment of environmental compliance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a team or independently
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of four years. 

Valid driver license. Travel, including single-day and multi-day trips.

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_ER@dep.state.fl.us

Contact Information

Richard Sanborn, HR Liaison 

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Richard.Sanborn@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.