ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010989

Requisition No: 841379 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010989

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010989 

Salary:  $4,377.50 Monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 12/09/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

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, 37010989, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Biology Program, Molecular Biology Section in Tallahassee and will be responsible for preparing and analyzing samples using qPCR, uploading, and authorizing data, performing calibrations and QC, and training staff. This position provides the department and other resource agencies with the highest quality laboratory services available.

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:

The work location of this position is in Tallahassee (Leon County), Florida. The city hosts the Capital of Florida and seat of state government. The city is home to numerous parks offering outdoor activities, league sports and natural trails for running, hiking, and biking. Tallahassee is located just 22 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, which is home to some of the world's top beaches. Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College, and several smaller colleges in the region offer a hub for academic research, athletics, art, music, and other student activities. 

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:

$4,377.50 Monthly

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

This intermediate level environmental position will:

• Prepares extracts and analyzes samples using qPCR as to establish policies and procedures for the protection of Florida’s environment.

• Reviews data and uploads results to the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to ensure accurate reporting of laboratory results.

• Evaluates the acceptability of routine analyses and takes appropriate action in response to critical values or unusual or unexpected results, and documents action taken.

• Performs QC and calibrations with the appropriate frequency and evaluates results to decide whether tests should be reported.  Reports any shifts or trends to a supervisor.

• Writes and reviews Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical reports for agency use.

• Maintains familiarity with the scientific literature in the field of environmental microbial source tracking.

• Validates new molecular methods for analysis of environmental samples in support of FDEP programs.

• Instructs and trains coworkers in the proper performance of molecular biology procedures.

• Performs other work as required by supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of general microbiology and molecular biology.
• Knowledge of biological and laboratory QA/QC principals and methods
• Skill in the use of scientific laboratory equipment such as balance, autoclave, centrifuge, vortexer etc.
• Skill in collecting, recording, and interpreting scientific data.
• Skill in determining workload priorities and ensuring proper completion of work assignments.
• Skill in the use of computers, including Microsoft Office software and internet resources.
• Ability to perform qPCR methods and interpret qPCR data. 
• Ability to use QC measures to evaluate accuracy, precision and efficiency of qPCR methods and ensure high quality data.
• Ability to evaluate new molecular source tracking methods and procedures. 
• Ability to create and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for molecular analysis.  
• Ability to instruct and train coworkers and new employees in the proper performance of routine molecular biology procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to maintain a valid State of Florida Driver License and travel.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid State of Florida Driver License.
• Travel.
• A bachelor’s degree in environmental, natural, biological, or physical sciences from an accredited university or college and 2 years of relevant experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of 6 years.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using TaqMan® qPCR assays.
• Experience performing DNA extractions.

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.