ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37011232

Requisition No: 841823 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37011232

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37011232 

Salary:  $4,377.50 monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 12/05/2024 

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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, 37011232, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Watershed Assessment Program, Watershed Monitoring Section in Tallahassee and will be responsible for the oversight of projects associated with the Watershed Monitoring Section (WMS) and specifically serves as a liaison to the Tallahassee Regional Operation Center staff. This position ensures water quality sampling is conducted following departmental protocols so that the condition of Florida’s water resources may be reported with known confidence.

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:

This intermediate environmental position is responsible for the oversight of projects associated with the Watershed Monitoring Section (WMS) and specifically serves as a liaison to the FDEP Tallahassee Regional Operation Center (ROC) staff. This position requires occasional overnight travel.

Oversight of program requirements for sample collection, review of data generated by the lab and from field operations and coordination with data managers to update the WMS database. Oversight and troubleshoots with ROC teams, provides sample results notification to landowners and other designate data users. Provides support for sample site section, mapping review and other needs. Participates in field quality assurance audits with Quality Assurance Officer as needed.

Acts as contact and liaison to the Florida Water Resources Monitoring Council (FWMRC). Manages contract for FWMRC facilitator. Participates and works effectively as a member of Water Quality Assessment Program (WQAP) or section approved teams. These teams seek to improve the effectiveness of the operation of the section or Program within the Division.

Assists WMS staff preparing reports and summaries. Helps coordinate and provide data summaries for the generation of EPA and other reports as needed. Assists with training on an as needed basis.

Assists with work associated with federal grants as assigned.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the chemical, biological, physical, and hydrological processes of surface and groundwater relating to water quality
2. Knowledge of water-quality standards and biological based indices used for assessment of aquatic resources
3. Knowledge of SOPs for water quality sampling and bioassessment methodologies.
4. Skill in using personal computers and software, including word processing, data management, and spreadsheets
5. Skill using MS Office products to prepare, write and edit technical reports
6. Skill planning, organizing, and preparing meetings and teleconferences
7. Skill collecting, evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting scientific or technical data
8. Skill with effective communication, both verbally and in writing
9. Ability to work well under pressure
10. Ability to interact with other staff and the public in a tactful and courteous manner
11. Ability to organize documentation essential for management of the watershed monitoring program
12. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
13. Ability to work well in a team environment with others to achieve a task
14. Ability to utilize problem solving techniques
15. Ability to work independently
16. Ability to understand principles of differentially corrected GPS equipment

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering sciences, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, environmental policy, public health, or computer science from an accredited university or college and 2 years of verifiable related experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of 6 years.
• Travel, at times for long distances and overnight.

Other Job Related Requirements for this position:

• Travel
• Valid Driver’s License

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.