ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37020069

Requisition No: 854918 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37020069

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020069 

Salary:  $4,377.50 monthly; $52,530.00 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 06/26/2025 

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 (37020069) 2 Positions Available

NONPOINT SOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

DIVISION OF WATER RESTORATION ASSISTANCE

This position will work with Florida stakeholders to develop and manage assigned cost-reimbursement agreements for projects selected for federal and state grant funding. Provides technical assistance to local governments and their consultants in developing and managing projects through cost-reimbursement grant agreements. Managing a project from start to finish includes development of a scope of work, review of deliverables, processing payment requests and entering data within a grant management system. 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.

Compliance with the processing requirements of Chapter 215.422, F.S. is mandatory. Persistent failure to comply with this section by any agency of the state shall constitute good cause for discharge of employees duly found responsible, or predominantly responsible, for failure to comply.

This is intermediate level environmental work. This position utilizes knowledge of environmental rules and regulations to assist in the development and implementation of financial assistance agreements for the Nonpoint Source Management Program. This position also aids and coordinates with the other sections and program areas of the Division in pursuit of the overall mission to preserve, restore and protect the water quality of Florida.

Participate and work effectively as a leader, facilitator, or member of Program or Section approved teams created to facilitate the completion of tasks related to the implementation of watershed restoration, to improve the effectiveness of the operation of the program or to resolve process or work problems.

Develop and critically analyze watershed restoration implementation strategies to reduce pollutants entering receiving waters and assure the protection or restoration of beneficial uses. Responsible for site visits of proposed, ongoing, and completed nonpoint source management projects, as time and budget allow, to ensure compliance with program and grant requirements.

Serves as project manager for mid to highly technical projects that have been awarded grant or contractual funds by the Department, particularly in the area of stormwater nonpoint source abatement/demonstration projects and water resource restoration.  Provides technical assistance to governments and their consultants in the development of the grants and/or contract and scopes of work and as needed throughout the grant and/or contract period. Maintains, manages, processes and reports on the status of assigned projects from start to completion. Compiles, facilitates, and completes the internal/external evaluation, review, approvals, and processing of technical, scientific, financial, and administrative projects, as assigned.

Maintains project and funding data in the Salesforce-Enterprise Grants System Program Area Component to properly manage and track grant progress, so that reports submitted to leadership on grants awarded by the Department will be accurate.

Depending on available campaigns and skills/interest/need, position may also participate in internal and/or external public education campaign development and implementation. Depending upon skills/interest/need, Position may also take on a budget role, reviewing invoices for the Program and helping reconcile overall grant funding.

Other duties may include database entry, project management, and issue tracking.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Department contracting procedures and policies

Skill in:

• strong communication, coordination, and writing skills
• use of computer software including Outlook, Word, and Excel

Ability to:

• represent the Department appropriately in a professional and courteous manner
• independently plan, organize, and prioritize a complex workload to ensure timely completion of simultaneous high-quality work assignments, with minimal supervision
• attend to details, meet deadlines, maintain administrative files, and update tracking spreadsheets/databases
• compile, review and reconcile financial data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance
• prepare and critique technical documents
• participate effectively as a team member and develop and maintain working relationships with diverse groups of professionals
• 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 work activities in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles
• understand and apply State of Florida Statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Travel.
• At least 4 years of verifiable related experience in environmental sciences, professional writing, grant/contract management, and/or invoice processing.  Post-secondary degrees 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.

Applicable Job-Specific License or Certifications:

• Obtain and maintain valid and active a Florida Certified Contract Manager certification while in the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, engineering, natural/social sciences, or business/finance management. 
• Knowledge of stormwater treatment practices and nonpoint source pollution management.
• Experience in managing state agreements and contracts and the state procurement process.
• Has an active and valid Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) status.
• Knowledge of environmental issues and laws, especially as they relate to water and ecosystem issues in Florida.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills. 

Pay:

$4,377.50 monthly; $52,530.00 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:

Division of Water Restoration Assistance

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.