ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010077

Requisition No: 837344 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010077

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010077 

Salary:  Salary - $52,530.00/annually 

Posting Closing Date: 09/27/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010077

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:

Environmental Specialist III – 37010077, The Environmental Specialist III is an advanced position that will serve as a project manager for the site investigation projects, for the Division of Waste Management, Waste Cleanup Program, Site Investigation Section, Tallahassee, FL. This is a highly technical position that will serve as a project manager for numerous Site Investigation projects.  The position will require knowledge in aspects of environmental site assessment and project management. The Environmental Specialist III will conduct phases of site assessment field work along with other Site Investigation team members.  The Environmental specialist III will also work with the public, department personnel, contractors, municipalities, and government officials in conducting these activities.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Environmental Specialist III within the Site Investigation Section work with technical and professional personnel, environmental consultants, interested parties and the public to investigate and assess sources of contamination throughout the State.

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: $52,530.00

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 department and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.

• This is an intermediate Environmental Specialist III position within the Waste Cleanup Program, Site Investigation Section. The incumbent will respond to reports of potential or actual groundwater contamination cases throughout the state and will independently manage multiple ongoing studies. Responsible for planning and coordinating environmental investigations with the public, businesses, industry, district personnel, private consultants, and local and regional government agencies. Responsible for accurately documenting communications with affected parties during investigations and ensuring the environmental effectiveness of these projects in accordance with the appropriate regulations. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting all phases of assigned soil and groundwater sampling. Conducts Phase I and Phase II assessments and hydrogeological investigations of potential source properties.

• Responsible for researching and reviewing current and historical site information. The incumbent will coordinate, and communicate project schedule to all team members, district staff, and stakeholders. The incumbent will understand the objectives of the study and developing an achievable work plan with consideration for availability of resources (money, time, personnel); obtaining site access and utility clearance; and preparing a site-specific health and safety plan (HASP).

• Designs conceptual site model, emphasizing soil and groundwater assessment strategies sufficient to fulfill task objectives. Understands and utilize a variety of assessment and screening tools with emphasis on monitor well design and installation.Understands sampling protocols and schedule environmental samples with laboratory personnel (LIMS).

• Collects and interpret geologic, hydrogeologic, geophysical, and chemical data. Ensures all necessary supplies and equipment are functional, calibrated and available. Maintain up to date knowledge of environmental regulations, emerging contaminants, and clean-up target levels

• Serves as a Project Manager, the incumbent conducts or oversees investigations with focus on meeting the objectives outlined in the request for assistance. Reviews and approve cost estimates, work plans, and technical reports produced by contractors Produces well-written technical reports that include conclusions and recommendations based on Chapter 62-780 F.A.C. Conducts database management and is responsible for accurate financial and scientific entries into applicable databases. Prepares or approves figures, tables, maps, and all other related documents, utilizing common industry software. Incumbent will assist with assembling investigation team, including in-house or contracted drilling services, and will assist with determining timetable and specific assignments to personnel for field and office activities.

• Represent DEP at public meetings and workshops

• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience as a project manager, displaying ability to be resourceful, maintain schedules and assure integrity of assessments.
• Experience managing and working with contractors.
• Experience interpreting hydrogeological and analytical data.
• Knowledge of geology, hydrogeology, chemistry and Florida’s groundwater.
• Knowledge of environmental assessment procedures and techniques.
• Knowledge of subsurface investigative tools (monitor wells, direct-push, ground penetrating radar) and sample collection methodologies.
• Knowledge of common field equipment (e.g., pumps, groundwater parameter measurement devices) utilized during site assessments.
• Knowledge of Florida groundwater aquifer characteristics.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers and proficient in MS Word and Excel.
• Able to become proficient in use of software supplied by Surfer, GIS, LIMS (DEP lab) and Geoprobe.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Able to follow direction and work independently.
• Able to manage multiple sites, tasks, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Must be detail oriented with excellent analytical, judgement, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to be physically able to perform field work.
• Ability to work as team member.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to travel for fieldwork and training.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, environmental science or one of the natural sciences; 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.
• Must obtain and maintain Florida Certified Contract Manager license within 12 months of hire.
• OSHA Safety Training successfully completed within 12 months of employment.
• HAZWOPER 40-hour Certification successfully obtained within 12 months of employment.
• Travel is required
• Participates in Medical Monitoring Program.

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:

John Travis, Environmental Administrator

Waste Cleanup Program/Site Investigations

Email: John.Travis@FloridaDEP.gov

Phone No. 850-245-8943

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.