ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37001676

Requisition No: 863052 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37001676

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001676 

Salary:  agency to update 

Posting Closing Date: 10/31/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This Environmental Specialist III has the responsibility for the stewardship of public lands and waters at Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve (LJAP) including daily administrative, operational tasks required to accomplish resource protection within the assigned areas. In carrying out the duties of this position, the Preserve Manager is always expected to be aware of and abide by the Department’s Standards of Conduct, as well as all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable. Performs other management duties as required and assigned. This position is located in Tallahassee, with the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, and does not have any supervision duties at this time.

Resource Management and Monitoring: Implement and execute all resource management and protection activities at LJAP. Responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating resource management activities such as prescribed burning, invasive species removal, debris removal and trash cleanups, habitat restoration, listed species protection and monitoring, game species enhancement and monitoring, vegetation monitoring, cultural resource monitoring and protections, promotion of  sustainable public access/use of resources, support of related research to address priority management issues. Coordinate with a variety of stakeholders to protect and restore, LJAP resources, including private landowners adjacent to the AP and public managing agencies including DEP DEAR, Leon County, City of Tallahassee, UF IFAS Extension Offices, Tall Timbers, and NWFWMD on water quality and sediment data. Develop and maintain strong partnerships with regional land managers and conservation groups to achieve goals. Provides recommendations for priority land acquisition proposals and comprehensive land use planning in the Lake Jackson regional area. Maintain the FSWN Lake Jackson WeatherSTEM station on site. Guide stakeholders and the public through dry down and flood events and promote resource protection and public safety during water fluctuations. 

Public Use & Access: Assist in providing and maintaining recreational activities for public access/use of suitable aquatic and riparian recreation areas that are consistent with resource protection management goals of LJAP. Coordinates with partner agencies, such as Leon County, and within DEP to develop stewardship events, outreach materials, etc. to promote sustainable public use. Assists with updates to kiosks/signage, primitive trails/campsites, parking areas, develops ecotourism opportunities and monitors/reports visitor use, as available.

Education and Outreach: Actively assists with educating the public to promote informed stewardship practices and addresses priority management needs. Conducts educational activities to better inform stakeholders with the natural resources and resource protection needs of LJAP and ORCP managed areas. Activities may include participation in local festivals and STEM nights, attending workshops, providing information to newsletters/social media, updating ORCP website for LJAP monthly, updating brochures/signage, coordinating with the Aquatic Preserve Society CSO, and distributing available literature and promotional items to users.

Administrative: Responsible for managing administrative tasks including tracking allocation funds, purchasing needed materials, providing reports required by the Central Office, department or granting agency. Oversees tasks of LJAP ESI staff and volunteers and staff training opportunities. Ensure that office records and files are properly maintained. Execute the goals of the LJAP Management Plan. Attends and represents ORCP at various meetings and makes presentations as needed to ensure that the public and other agencies are aware of site-specific issues and management objectives. Coordinate and facilitate LJAP management and participate in meetings with agency partners at least biannually, and more often during dry down or flood events. Responsible for maintenance of designated equipment, vehicles, boats, and other resource management materials. Assists the Central Office with statewide Aquatic Preserve initiatives, data management, and statewide QA/QC of data to ensure program goals are met.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Northwest Florida’s natural communities (with a focus on aquatic and wetland ecosystems), natural resource management issues including but not limited to; habitat restoration, prescribed fire management, protection of Florida’s native biodiversity and ecosystem’s function, controlling and maintaining invasive species, protection of cultural resources, maintaining and promoting responsible use of public conservation lands; knowledge and experience in planning and implementing research and resource management projects; knowledge of water quality sampling techniques, impaired water status, and TMDLs.

Skills in: Communication, stakeholder engagement and facilitation, UTV/ATV use; trailering and operation of up to a18ft vessel (outboard motors, mud motors), snorkeling, kayaking, power tool use, CPR/First Aid, knowledge and skill in using a personal computer effectively and efficiently including familiarity with MS Office Suite.

Ability to: Ability to collect, analyze and interpret scientific data; prepare technical reports, understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to environmental programs; ability to work independently or as part of a team; ability to work long hours in sometimes harsh field conditions in both uplands and wetlands; ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments; to develop long-range management plans; ability to make technical presentations to professional groups, state and federal agencies, and resource managers concerning the Preserve’s programs and results; ability to multitask while responding to quick turnaround deadlines; ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing; ability to safely operate and maintain vessels, vehicles and field equipment, such as UTV, ATV; ability to obtain CPR/First Aid, ability to travel overnight if necessary; and ability to communicate with the public, coworkers and supervisors in a tactful and courteous manner.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver License is required
• At least 3 years of verifiable related experience in natural or educational sciences. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological, aquatic, marine, natural resource conservation, environmental sciences may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis. A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.

Position of Special Trust Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

Applicable Job-Specific License or Certifications:

CPR/ First Aid Certification must be obtained within the first year of employment.

May be required to snorkel and when snorkeling must meet the requirements under the DEP Underwater Operations Manual.

Pay:

The annual salary for this position is $53,580.60

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 advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy. 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 combine 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. Lake Jackson lies just north of the city and within in the geologically unique Red Hills Region.

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);
• Tuition waivers;
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

Special Notes: DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable 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

An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 245-2511. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

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.