ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37001792

Requisition No: 840916 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37001792

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001792 

Salary:  $52,530 to $56,000 

Posting Closing Date: 11/29/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III - 37001792

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 position will be responsible for providing technical support in the following environmental areas: (1) non-mandatory phosphate mine reclamation programs under Chapter 62C-17, Fla Admin. Code; (2) financial responsibility requirements for mandatory mine reclamation obligations under Chapter 62C-17, Fla Admin. Code; (3) wetland mitigation requirements under dredge and fill, and stormwater environmental resource permitting project under Chapters 62-330, Fla Admin. Code; (4) and financial assurance related support for underground injection control (Chapter 62-528, Fla Admin. Code).

The Difference You Will Make:

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 reclamation of mined lands. This position plays a critical role in helping to ensure Florida’s groundwater and surface water resources, as well as public health, are protected by providing critical oversight over the implementation of the statewide Program Technical Services Program.

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:

$52,530 to $56,000/annually (Commensurate with experience) 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Responsibility involves environmental areas that include: (1) non-mandatory phosphate mine reclamation programs under Chapter 62C-17, Florida Admin. Code; (2) financial responsibility requirements for mandatory mine reclamation obligations under Chapter 62C-17, Florida Admin. Code; (3) wetland mitigation requirements under dredge and fill, and stormwater environmental resource permitting project under Chapters 62-330, Florida Admin. Code; (4) and financial assurance related support for underground injection control (Chapter 62-528, Florida Admin. Code).

The position provides review and tracking of closure cost estimates and financial assurance submittals for phosphogypsum stack systems under ss. 403.4154 and 403.4155, Fla. Stat., and Chapter 62-673, Fla. Admin. Code. The position provides additional support assisting project managers with contracting, procurement, and administrative processes supporting special projects such as stormwater, reclamation, wetland mitigation and maintenance, and closure of abandoned phosphogypsum stack systems.

This position will oversee the ongoing evaluation and implementation of the effective Clean Waterways Act Stormwater rule and the proposed Water Quality Enhancement Area Rulemaking (Chapter 62-330, F.A.C.), with respect to contracts/agreements and grant reviews, tracking of deliverables and processing of invoices for stormwater-related projects.

Support and evaluate proposed grants for the dam safety program.

Review and track financial assurance submittals for reclamation, wetland mitigation, mitigation bank, underground injection control, oil and gas, and phosphogypsum stack systems.

Prepare related financial institution/permittee review reports, summaries, and correspondence for management as needed.

Reconcile and track environmental expenditures and projects needs for processing financial assurance disbursement requests.

Coordinate with program staff on financial reviews of permittee and contractor information, including stormwater, environmental reclamation, mitigation, remediation, and closure cost estimates for environmental management programs and plans, as assigned.

Assist with the development of new contractors or other procurements mechanisms and with reconciling related contract budgets and expenditures with fiscal reports as needed.

Audit contractor’s invoices or other environmental related expenditures for sufficiency and compliance with applicable agreements or regulatory provisions.

Assist in preparing, developing, and presenting training opportunities for Department and Water Management District staff regarding ERP stormwater projects.

Perform other duties assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the concepts, terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences.
• Knowledge of prior experience evaluating, analyzing and interpreting regulatory and financial assurance performance data.
• Skills in correspondence writing and computer usage.
• Skills to perform basic arithmetic calculations and financial assurance bookkeeping.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to work as a team member to solve problems.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license and travel.

Required or Preferred Qualifications:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one year of verifiable related experience; or Any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of five years.

Preferred: Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) or the ability to obtain their certification within 12 months from the date of hire.

Other Job-Related Requirements for this position: 

• Valid Driver’s License

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.

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.