ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37010049 1

Requisition No: 841615 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37010049 1

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010049 

Salary:  $46,350.00 

Posting Closing Date: 12/06/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist II - 37010049

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

Previous Applicants Need not Apply

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:

$46,350.00

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is an environmental compliance position. This position is assigned to assist in the compliance and enforcement of Joint Coastal Permits (JCP) and Environmental Resource Permits (ERP) issued by BIPP. This position also aids and coordinates with other sections and program areas of the Office and Department District Offices in pursuit of the overall mission to preserve, restore and protect the beaches and coastal systems of Florida. Other duties include:

Maintains compliance records through data entry in the BCMS database for JCP and ERP permits. Uploads Department files documents, reports, and correspondence in Oculus. Assists in the development of BCMS database enhancements.

Tracks ongoing project monitoring and other deliverables for procedural, physical, and biological compliance with issued JCP and ERP permits. Reviews project status reports and audits physical/biological data for compliance with the schedule for submittal of monitoring information. Distributes technical data to appropriate staff experts for review and analysis. Prepares reports and informs Division staff of non-compliance with permit conditions. Coordinates with the JCP permit manager, the project manager (funding), and other programs to ensure all appropriate data is collected pursuant to the permit requirements.

Provides appropriate follow-up and pursuit of timely actions and resolutions of all compliance related activities. As necessary, initiates compliance/enforcement actions by drafting Compliance Assistance Offers and Warning Letters for review and approval by Program Administrator and prepares other appropriate notice to delinquent permit holders. Provides compliance outreach to permit holders and agents by sending e-mails 30 days in advance of date of required deliverable due dates. Keeps Division staff advised of compliance resolution status and documents final resolution. Represents the Program in meetings and communicates directly with federal, state, and local governmental entities, and private contractors on compliance related activities.

Reviews and provides input to Permitting to modify existing permit conditions or develop new permit conditions to better ensure future permit compliance; Assists in updating and periodic maintenance of the JCP Compliance/Enforcement Manual.

Performs periodic travel to on-going permitted construction projects in order to assess permit compliance and meets with permit holders and/or their contractors to ensure permit compliance and when necessary, to determine whether proposed changes to construction techniques or BMPs will maintain permit compliance.

The incumbent of this position has been identified as emergency Mission Essential Personnel in accordance with Directive 971 and, in that capacity, may be required, on short notice, to perform duties and travel in support of emergency efforts. All leave approved is subject to recall in the occurrence of a major event. Leave should be coordinated with backup/cross-trained staff and approved by management to ensure that DEP essential functions can be performed, if required. This position may be placed on-call to remain available to perform essential duties.

Communicates and coordinates extensively with permit applicants, local, state, and federal governmental agencies, and other interest groups.

Maintains professional knowledge of marine ecology, habitat restoration, wildlife protection, dredging technologies and the statutes, rules and policies of the program.

Prepares responses to applicants or concerned citizens regarding issues related to projects.

Assists in the development of rules and policies necessary for the implementation of the program.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the concepts, terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the natural or physical sciences as they relate to coastal environments;
• Ability to perform data entry functions in a database system.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments;
• Ability to collect analyze, evaluate and interpret scientific and technical data;
• Ability to prepare technical reports and briefing documents;
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing);
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner;
• Ability to understand and implement Florida's water quality standards;
• Skill in the use of personal computers and software for word processing and GIS;
• Ability to plan and conduct site inspections;
• Ability to travel, including single-day and multi-day trips; 
• Ability to maintain a valid driver license.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, environmental science or one of the natural sciences and one year of verifiable related experience; or any combination of postsecondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of five years.
• A valid driver’s license

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

Lauren Jordan, HR Liaison 

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Lauren.Jordan@FloridaDEP.gov

(850) 245-2170

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.