ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010684

Requisition No: 840066 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010684

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010684 

Salary:  $4,493.09 Monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 11/25/2024 

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Environmental Specialist III

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: 

The Environmental Specialist III position (37010684) is an intermediate position in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Water Quality Restoration Program (WQRP) in Tallahassee. This is an intermediate position performing highly professional, technical work in a statewide water resources management program.  This position is responsible for developing and assisting with the implementation of source pollution prevention programs for agriculture. Providing support for the development and review of best management practices (BMPs), waste reduction technologies, irrigation and other agricultural water use technologies, practices, and pollution prevention projects. Coordinating internally and externally with other agencies and stakeholders to identify and select regional agricultural water quality improvement projects for basin management action plans (BMAPs). Acts as point of contact for meeting with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Program and Division leadership, and other agencies to discuss project selection, implementation, data collection, and evaluation of project cost effectiveness. The incumbent has the responsibility of handling various assignments, and representing the Program, as necessary, in both internal and external meetings. The incumbent deals with a variety of tasks and must use independent judgement and problem-solving skills to successfully accomplish the job. 

The Difference You Will Make: 

Water and natural resources are the foundation of Florida's communities, economy, and way of life. The Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) is charged with protecting, maintaining, and improving the quality of Florida’s springs, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. DEAR team members provide the department and other resource agencies with the highest quality laboratory services available; provide technical support to the department and the public regarding water quality analysis and data quality assurance (QA); manage water quality data repositories for data storage and use by the department, other agencies and the public; and work together to monitor and assess Florida’s surface water and groundwater quality, develop strategies to reduce pollution, and work closely with local stakeholders to implement comprehensive restoration strategies that improve the lives of all Floridians and preserve aquatic resources for generations to come. 

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:  

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: 

$4,493.09 Monthly  

Your Specific Responsibilities: 

This is an intermediate position performing highly professional, technical work in a statewide water resources management program. This position is responsible for developing and assisting with the implementation of source pollution prevention programs for agriculture. Provide support for the development and review of best management practices (BMPs), waste reduction technologies, irrigation and other agricultural water use technologies, practices, and pollution prevention projects. 

Works with other agencies and consultants to further department efforts in the areas of agricultural pollution prevention and innovative methods of water quality remediation of agricultural sites. Meets and confers with farmers, agricultural industry owners and representatives, attorneys, consultants, and federal, state, and local officials to resolve environmental issues.   

Coordinates internally and externally with other agencies and stakeholders to identify and select regional agricultural water quality improvement projects for basin management action plans. Acts as point of contact for meeting with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Program and Division leadership, and other agencies to discuss project selection, implementation, data collection, and evaluation of project cost effectiveness.  

Evaluates Serves as liaison with FDACS for enforcement efforts when agricultural landowners are not in compliance with BMAP requirements, including the failure to enroll and properly implement best management practices. Contacts non-compliant landowners orally and in writing. Coordinates with the Office of General Counsel on development of Notices of Violation.   

Provides technical assistance as needed to department permitting programs related to agricultural processing and production facilities, including agrichemical production and distribution facilities and post-harvest processors relative to discharge and water quality, waste reduction, reuse, and other technical issues. Evaluates agricultural nutrient data. Handles confidential information. Represents the Department at various meetings, keeps up to date with scientific literature on nonpoint source pollution and management, land use and watershed management, and restoration of water bodies.   

Conducts comprehensive analyses of water quality data, land use, topography, soils, rainfall, geology and other characteristics, to assess the severity and/or restoration of nonpoint source pollution and develop watershed restoration plans. Requires use of geographic information systems. 

Manages agreements. 

Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental regulation. 

2. Knowledge of agricultural sciences (animal science, crop science or soils).   

3. Knowledge of the environmental effects of agricultural practices.   

4. Knowledge of agriculturally related industrial equipment and practices.  

5. Ability to use MS-Office, ESRI GIS software.  

6. Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.   

7. Ability to assess environmental impacts of agricultural engineering projects.   

8. Ability to analyze and solve problems.   

9. Ability to organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials. 

10. Ability to effectively communicate information in speaking and writing to multiple audiences.   

11. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.   

12. Ability to prepare and critique technical documents 

Required or Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university with a major in in one of the physical or natural sciences, agriculture, public health, or engineering and 2 years of relevant verifiable work experience; or any combination of related post-secondary education and verifiable related experience for a total of 7 years.  

Other Job Related Requirements for this position:   

• Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) designation or ability to obtain within one year of completing the on-the-job requirements for eligibility to take the FCCM training 

• Travel, at times for long distance. Valid Driver’s License. 

• The incumbent of this position, in accordance with sections 110.1127 and 435.04, Florida Statutes and DEP Directive 422, Background Investigations, is required to successfully complete a background and fingerprint check. 

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.