ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37020002

Requisition No: 839039 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37020002

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020002 

Salary:  $46,350/annually 

Posting Closing Date: 01/05/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist II – 37020002

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 posting is for a full-time, career service Environmental Specialist II position with the Water Compliance Enforcement Program (WCEP) in DEP’s Division of Water Resource Management.

WCEP facilitates statewide coordination of compliance and enforcement activities relating to the development of policy, guidance and training materials to ensure consistency among DEP’s six district offices for the state’s Industrial Wastewater, Domestic Wastewater, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater programs. WCEP is responsible for federal data management reporting activities associated with the Wastewater and NPDES Stormwater programs. Additionally, WCEP coordinates with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on implementation of the NPDES components of the Clean Water Act.

The Difference You Will Make:

Water and natural resources are the foundation of Florida’s communities, economy, and way of life. The Division of Water Resource Management (DWRM) is responsible for implementing state laws providing for the protection of the quality of Florida’s drinking water, ground water, rivers, lakes, estuaries and wetlands; and the reclamation of mined lands.

DWRM is comprised of several programs that perform water facilities regulation, and operational support services and functions. The division also serves as Florida’s central point of contact for federally delegated/assumed water programs and has regulatory oversight of certain functions of water and wastewater facilities throughout Florida. We work toward safeguarding Florida’s water resources and enhancing natural systems through partnering with local communities, and providing a more certain, consistent and effective regulatory process. Our goal is to enhance both the quality and available quantity of water needed by the state’s residents, visitors, and industries, while also providing protection of the state’s wetlands, other surface waters, and ground waters today and for generations to come.

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. 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:

$46,350/annually (Commensurate with experience)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is specialized professional work in the Water Compliance Enforcement Program.

• Evaluates, makes recommendations, and implements the various methods to promote and achieve compliance with Florida Statues and Department rules related to the Wastewater, Stormwater and Drinking Water. This involves conducting quarterly audits of compliance and enforcement actions, to ensure statewide consistency.
• Process and review NPDES Stormwater Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs); finalize DMR responses and prepare draft/final DMR compliance and enforcement documents.
• Provide district staff technical assistance with inspecting/reviewing/drafting/finalizing NPDES Stormwater and Wastewater inspection related documents; prepare SOPs, inspection, and training documents for District Staff to conduct field inspections at NPDES Wastewater and Stormwater construction sites and industrial facilities consistently across the state; and provide file and inspection report review (QA/QC support) to District Offices.
• Peer Review draft enforcement documents for District enforcement cases.
• Enter and maintain data in FIESTA and ICIS and DMR review tracking system.
• Provide technical assistance to regulated community, consultants/engineers, federal and state agencies, local governments and the public on stormwater management and regulation under the NPDES Stormwater program. Provide data for inquiries and information requests.
• Develops and maintains user documents and guidance documents for enforcement and database entry; Presents training materials to users for compliance and enforcement databases.
• Performs other related duties and assists in projects requiring section expertise, as assigned by supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of physical, natural sciences and engineering terminology;
• Knowledge of biological, physical, and chemical processes as they relate to water quality and the aquatic environment;
• Knowledge of water quality criteria and testing parameters;
• Knowledge of database fundamentals;
• Skill in use of computers, word processing and spreadsheet software;
• Ability to work independently;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Ability to utilize problem solving techniques;
• Ability to prepare technical reports;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
• Ability to travel; Ability to understand complex regulations;
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations accurately;
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License;
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and 1-year of work experience OR 5-years of work experience can substitute.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous work experience with NPDES program federal reporting.
• Florida Stormwater, Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector Training Certification.
• Previous work experience interpreting NPDES Stormwater permit requirements.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications including development of macros and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) programming

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: This position is a Position of Trust. 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.  

Persons interested in applying for this position must submit a completed State of Florida Employment Application through the People First System.

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@dep.state.fl.us

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.