ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37001538

Requisition No: 837011 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37001538

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001538 

Salary:  52,530/annually 

Posting Closing Date: 11/25/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III  37001538

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

INTERNAL AGENCY ONLY

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 Environmental Specialist position performs technical assistance for Formal Wetland Determinizations, delineations of the Waters of the U.S., and functional wetland assessment in Florida in the Division of Water Resource Management’s Mining and Mitigation Program. This position includes field work and overnight travel.

The Mining and Mitigation Program is responsible for the administration of mine reclamation, environmental resource permitting, and State 404 permitting programs, as authorized by Chapters 211, Part II, 373, Part IV, and 378 Florida Statutes, and set forth in Title 62, Florida Administrative Code. These rules address the reclamation, and environmental resource permitting on lands disturbed by the extraction of mineral resources, such as phosphate, limestone, dolomite, shell, heavy minerals, fuller’s earth, clay, gravel, peat, and sand, and the direct participation of other agencies in the regulatory process

The Difference You Will Make:

Help protect Florida’s unique environment by ensuring that proposed mining operations are designed to protect water and wildlife resources; review and inspect existing mining operations to ensure that they are conducted in compliance with Florida environmental regulations and that mines are reclaimed after mining is complete.

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:

FTE Benefits:

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: $52,530.00

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Coordinate permitting and reclamation programs that are carried out statewide. Process, evaluate and recommend final action on all assigned mines reclamation conceptual plans, annual reports, notices of disturbance, as-built reclamation reports, dredge and fill permit applications, environmental resource permit applications, compliance/enforcement issues and other environmental and mine documents, in a timely and professional manner, preparing appropriate documentation. Perform field evaluation of wetlands proposed to be disturbed by mining activities, construction activities and remaining natural resources. Investigate and evaluate complaints relating to all sources of pollution and initiate appropriate action. Coordinate within the department and with other state and federal agencies and interested groups concerning reclamation and mine permitting matters. Perform field evaluations under all types of weather conditions and transverse rough terrain. Inspect and maintain awareness of mining/permitting/reclamation activities/compliance and enforcement and recommend solutions to existing problems.

Maintain data and statistics on mining, reclamation and permitting activities and disseminate mining, reclamation, permitting, and technical information to staff, the public, other governmental agencies, regulated entities, and the professional community. Create and maintain a historical database utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) with data received from mining companies. Graphically reproduce data utilizing the GIS Software. Review the annual data received from the mining companies for consistency with previous data. Coordinate annual inspections with Reviewers to verify GIS data received from the mining companies is accurate. Appropriately represents the Department in meetings and other forums with other agencies, the legislature, and the public. Maintain strong knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Maintain awareness of latest reclamation and restoration technology and native Florida ecosystems. Provide management and other staff members with periodic plans of action and status reports, written or oral, as needed, on assigned areas of responsibility. Assist with updating and verification of applicable files, maps and data accuracy updates or assisting with the updating of files, maps or data. Maintain up-to-date files and computer tracking. Maintain data, statistics, and technology information on all assigned activities and provide to staff, the public, other governmental agencies and the professional community as requested. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to deal with the coworkers and public in a tactful and courteous manner; ability to follow verbal & written instructions; ability to work both independently and as a team to solve problems; report writing and computer skills required; ability to work effectively & accurately while under deadline; ability to prioritize extensive workload & maintain organized records; ability to evaluate complex interrelationships; knowledge of habitat management, reclamation, restoration, and/or habitat rehabilitation techniques; ability to collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret technical data; ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures; skill in observing and reporting topographical and biological field conditions; knowledge of biological functions related to Florida ecosystems; ability to perform field inspections and maintain a valid driver's license. Ability to travel extensively throughout Florida and to work extended hours and endure physically demanding field inspections, including but not limited to traversing difficult upland/wetland terrain and freshwater/marine ecosystems

Required Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, environmental science, or one of the natural sciences and three years work experience, or a combination of post-secondary education, or verifiable work experience for a total of 7 years.  Florida Driver License (valid). Travel. 

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.  

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.