ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37020163

Requisition No: 838327 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37020163

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020163 

Salary:  Annual Salary: $46,350.00 - $46,453.08 (Commensurate with experience) 

Posting Closing Date: 10/16/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37020163

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Division of Waste Management

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 is an Environmental Specialist II position within the Division of Waste Management, Waste Cleanup Program, Waste Site Cleanup Section, Tallahassee FL. The Waste Site Cleanup Section manages the state-funded investigation and cleanup of hazardous waste sites and emerging contaminants, coordinates with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the cleanup of federal Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) sites and implements the Florida Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup Program. Management of these sites involves an interdisciplinary combination of geology, hydrogeology, chemistry, engineering, and environmental science to mitigate risk and protect human health and the environment. The Environmental Specialist II (ES II) works as a Project/Contract Manager and is responsible for the technical and managerial aspects of Superfund site rehabilitation projects, State-Funded hazardous waste cleanup sites, and Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup Program sites.

The Difference You Will Make:

Through the Waste Site Cleanup Section, the ES II will work with other technical and professional personnel, EPA, and the public to address contaminated sites through remedial action using risk based corrective action principles. The ES II will work to ensure that the environmental effectiveness of these projects is in accordance with, the National Contingency Plan (NCP), CERCLA/SARA, and state regulations as appropriate.

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 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: Annual Salary: $46,350.00 - $46,453.08 (Commensurate with experience)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

• In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected, at all times, to be aware of and abide by the Department's Standards of conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position. The incumbent is expected to be aware of and abide by the Public Service Standards as developed by the department.

• This is an intermediate technical position requiring knowledge and experience in all aspects of environmental resources including hazardous waste, surface, and groundwater systems.  The Environmental Specialist II serves as Contract and Project Manager on State-Funded hazardous waste cleanup sites, and Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup Program sites.  As Project Manager, the Environmental Specialist II is responsible for the technical and managerial aspects of these projects, and for ensuring the environmental effectiveness of these projects in accordance with the National Contingency Plan (NCP), CERCLA/SARA and state regulations as appropriate. The Environmental Specialist II works independently and informs the Environmental Manager regarding environmental aspects of hazardous waste cleanup projects throughout the state.

• Manages the performance of all phases of site rehabilitation activities for numerous State lead, and Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup Program hazardous waste sites, contracting out work as necessary.  Reviews site-specific scopes of work and cost estimates and negotiates these elements with section’s contractors.  Manages contractors working on assigned projects, including on-site inspections, recommendations for corrective actions, and review of invoices and change orders.

• Performs critical and accurate reviews of work plans, investigative reports, designs and bid documents for assigned projects, as well as coordinates document reviews with other sections and agencies. Reviews and approves contractor invoices for completed work. Evaluates remedial alternatives and participates in the selection of the alternative most consistent with NCP, CERCLA, and State regulations and initiatives, as appropriate.

• Manages assigned Waste Site Cleanup and Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup Program Service contract and performs all necessary contract management aspects of the contract with limited supervision. Maintains and updates all contract management documentation for assigned contracts, negotiates and resolves contractual issues.  Develops and manages EPA-FDEP federal-state contracts, as necessary.

• Assists the Environmental Manager in all aspects of the daily operations of the Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup Program and State lead cleanup sites.  Responds to information requests; assists clients with redevelopment projects, property transactions and regulatory compliance questions.  Assists Environmental Manager in training of other project managers.  Coordinates with business owner/operators and DEP district offices to provide drycleaning regulatory compliance assistance.  Performs other duties as deemed necessary by the Environmental Manager.

• Note: This position requires the incumbent to represent the Department as the Responsible Party.  The incumbent will be required to successfully complete and maintain certification in OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response under 29 CFR 1910.120.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge in one or more of the following disciplines: geology, geophysical investigations, well drilling, hydrology, environmental chemistry, toxicology, risk assessment, ecology, biology, environmental studies. 
• Knowledge of Florida’s geology and hydrogeology
• Knowledge of relevant EPA and DEP rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of state contracting policies and procedures.
• Skill in evaluating, analyzing and interpreting comprehensive scientific/technical data.
• Skill in writing technical comment letters effectively, concisely and in a well-organized manner. 
• Skill in writing, proofreading and editing documents for technical accuracy, spelling and grammar.
• Skill in using personal computers for word processing and data analysis. 
• Ability to speak publicly and give presentations
• Ability to enter hazardous waste sites.
• Ability to productively manage multiple projects.
• Ability to work under pressure and deadlines.
• Ability to organize workload and manage time efficiently.
• Ability to solve problems.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical and non-technical issues both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with the public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. 
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments

Required Qualifications:

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

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

• Valid Driver License.

POSITION OF SPECIAL TRUST REQUIREMENT:

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.  

Contact Information:

Mubeen Darji, Environmental Administrator

Waste Cleanup Program/Waste Site Cleanup

Email: Mubeen.Darji@FloridaDEP.gov

Phone No. 850-245-8965

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.