ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37002446

Requisition No: 856561 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37002446

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37002446 

Salary:  $4,465.05 monthly; $53,580.60 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 07/27/2025 

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:

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III (37002446) 

EVERGLADES RESTORATION-PERMITTING AND COMPLIANCE

OFFICE OF WATER POLICY & ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION

The career service position fulfills a critical role in processing and issuing Everglades restoration permits and ensuring restoration success, by leading and facilitating timely review of permit applications and post permit issuance compliance submittals by utilizing existing knowledge, skills and abilities and the expertise of a team of technical professionals. The incumbent will be required to work 40-hour work weeks, Monday through Friday, and be present for work between the core hours of 9AM – 3PM on site at your workstation, unless on travel.

This second level intermediate environmental position performs professional work implementing permitting and compliance program support activities for the Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration permitting functions, in accordance with Chapters 403 and 373, Florida Statutes, and all Chapters in Florida Administrative Codes used to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program, and the Everglades Forever Act, including those administered by the Environmental Resource Permitting Program (ERP) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.

This position will evaluate potential environmental impacts and effects on water quality and surrounding ecosystems which result from construction and operations of large-scale civil works projects including reservoirs, impoundments, stormwater treatment areas, and engineering features designed to restore a more natural distribution of water flow, and changes to the existing regional surface water management system of canals and flood control structures.

The position requires the ability to rapidly complete reviews of permitting materials in accordance with applicable statutes and rules, to determine whether or not applications contain sufficient information to demonstrate that the benefits, goals and objectives of restoration activities will outweigh potential environmental impacts and are conducted in a manner consistent with Florida law. The position requires the ability to understand and describe the complex, interdisciplinary relationships between water quality, wetlands impacts, threatened and endangered species, hydrology, water supply and flood control, engineering, and contaminants issues, and consider and apply nuances associated with State and Federal law.

Permitting & Compliance: Serves as Senior Permit Lead. Provides permitting expertise and mentors permit leads on permitting related issues. Assists in the development of programmatic permitting materials. Coordinates with an interdisciplinary team to process restoration permits to the South Florida Water Management District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other entities. Reviews and processes various regulatory authorization requests in a timely and accurate manner. Analyzes and evaluates complex interdisciplinary projects applicable to proposed restoration activities under CERPRA, EFA, and NEEPP in accordance with applicable statutes, rules, and DEP policy and procedures. Performs necessary post-permit issuance activities including permit modifications, extension, letter authorizations, and tracking. Processes operational compliance items and coordinates with compliance staff to ensure construction and operational activities are in compliance with permitted activities.

Programmatic Consistency: Provides oversight to ensure programmatic consistency, high quality work products, and consistent Department message for all restoration activities conducted out of Tallahassee and South District Offices. Assists the Environmental Administrator in the development of guidance, policy, and procedures associated with implementation of restoration efforts. Identifies areas of need and ways to improve communication and coordination to promote efficiency in administering all programmatic functions-planning, permitting, and compliance processes. Reviews planning, permitting, and programmatic documents prepared by other staff. Reviews of various regulatory documents including permit applications, permit application checklists, Requests for Additional Information, permit conditions, Notice of Intent, letter authorizations, and public notices. Assist in training co-workers in these activities.

Administrative Record Keeping: Completes written reports, creates, organizes, and maintains administrative files, and develops work processes to ensure programmatic consistency. Track permitting deadlines and prepare documents for review within timeframes specified by rules and statutes, section guidance manuals, and per Environmental Administrator. Updates permitting spreadsheets and databases, maintains and organizes electronic and hard copy files in an organized manner and in accordance with timelines listed in guidance documents and per supervisor.

Communication: Participate and work effectively as a leader, facilitator, or member of program teams. Acts as Department representative in meetings and other activities together with Federal, State, and local agency staff involving Department participation in CERP, EFA, NEEPP, and other related restoration activities. Effectively coordinates with internal and external agency staff to facilitate communication and ensure timely review and approval of activities described above. Other teams may be created as needed to resolve process or workflow inefficiencies.

Other: Mentors and leads teammates, assists with interviewing, and training, as needed. Attend workshops and training, as required. Some limited out-of-town travel may be required.

Performs other related duties as required by supervisor. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences
• Chapters 120, 373, and 403, Florida Statutes, as related to the permitting requirements of this position
• environmental resource permitting rules: Rules 62-4, 302, 340, 343, 620 and 40E-1; 2, 4, 20, 40, and 41 F.A.C. as related to the permitting and compliance requirements of this position
• potential environmental impacts which result from construction and operations of restoration, water supply and flood control projects
• environmental policy, regulation, and permitting procedures
• biological, chemical, and physical processes related to the evaluation of proposed activities affecting the greater South Florida Ecosystem

Skilled at:

• communication, coordination, and technical writing
• organizing and maintaining project files, tracking spreadsheets and databases
• managing multiple projects of a highly complex and technical nature
• applying and teaching applicable State of Florida and Federal environmental statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• teamwork and developing and maintaining effective working relationships internally and with stakeholders 
• independent planning, organizing, and prioritizing a complex workload to ensure completion of high-quality work assignments with minimal or no supervision
• presenting and expressing ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience

Skilled in use of computer software including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access.

Ability to:

• exercise flexibility, resiliency, and a positive attitude
• use logic and reasoning to frame and focus issues, reach conclusions, and develop recommendations for issue resolution to management
• adapt to changing priorities and modify behavior and work activities in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles
• solving problems and making decisions
• represent the Department in a professional and courteous manner
• evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data in order to assess environmental impacts
• lead and facilitate meetings

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 4 years of verifiable related experience in engineering, environmental science, or one of the natural sciences or experience in the natural sciences involving project management, professional writing, environmental policy and permitting procedures. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the natural or physical 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.
• Travel as needed.
• A valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferably in engineering, environmental science, or one of the natural sciences.
• Knowledge of environmental issues and laws, especially as they relate to water and ecosystem issues in Florida.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office programs, and data management.
• Detail oriented.
• Practices a growth mindset.

Pay:

$4,465.05 monthly; $53,580.60 annually

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:

Office of Water Policy & Ecosystems Restoration

Douglas Building

3900 Commonwealth Boulevard

Tallahassee, FL 32399

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.

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.