ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37021048

Requisition No: 848305 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37021048

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37021048 

Salary:  $52,530.00 

Posting Closing Date: 03/13/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III - 37021048

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

Resilient Florida Program – Field Services Section

OPEN COMPETITIVE

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 is responsible for conducting on-site inspections in the Southwest region of Florida during all phases of the project to evaluate project conditions, permit/grant compliance and project performance.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Resilient Florida Program was established during the 2021 Legislative Session with the passage of SB1954/HB7019 and the creation of section 380.093, Florida Statutes. This legislation will ensure that communities have the resources they need for resilience planning and project implementation as well as creating a framework for a cohesive, coordinated approach to address the impacts of sea level rise, effects of intensified storms, and localized flooding.

The program administers the Resilient Florida Grant Program, complete a comprehensive statewide flood vulnerability and sea level rise data set and assessment, develop annual Resilience Plans consisting of prioritized projects for funding consideration, support Regional Resilience Entities and collaborate with the Florida Flood Hub of Applied Research and Innovation.  The program includes sections devoted to planning, grant and budget management, technical support, field services and data management.

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 Capital 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.  Boasting proximity to the coast and centrally located to popular tourist destinations, 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.  Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you find yourself on the career ladder. 

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:

$52,530.00

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This intermediate environmental position will support the Resilient Florida Program and requires a broad working knowledge of engineering, geology and environmental science and provides technical assistance for planning, funding, permitting, and monitoring of resilience adaptation projects. This position requires effective communication and coordination with staff, grant applicants, regional planners, local, state, and federal governmental agencies, and other departmental entities in pursuit of the overall mission to improve resilience to climate change a sea level rise for the state’s regionally significant assets. The position also coordinates with the other sections and program areas of the Department in pursuit of the overall mission to preserve, restore and protect the environment and natural resources of Florida. Develops and maintains knowledge, skills and abilities in resilience or engineering; and knowledge of the statutes, rules, and policies related to coastal construction and environmental resources, pursuant to Chapters 161, 373, 380, and 403, Florida Statutes.

Utilizing knowledge of the Statutes and Regulations governing the Resilient Florida Program as the field agent for the Resilient Florida Program in the SW region of Florida the incumbent will:

• Utilizes knowledge, skills and abilities in resilience or engineering; and knowledge of the statutes, rules, and policies related to coastal construction and environmental resources, pursuant to Chapters 161, 373 and 403, Florida Statutes to perform duties of this position. 
• Conducts on-site inspections to evaluate project tasks and deliverables, permit/grant compliance and project performance. Travel may require overnight stay and can range from 5 to 20% of work time
• Coordinate directly with other DEP staff including grant and project managers and local authorities including grantees and their representatives to facilitate successful completion of projects.
• Assist with technical reviews of grant applications, grant workplans, quarter progress reports, grant task deliverables, resilience related monitoring data and other technical documents as assigned.
• Represent the Resilient Florida Program in meetings with permit applicants, at public meetings, and at Department and interagency discussions related to projects and policy issues.  
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with grantees including local governments and other entities.
• Assume responsibility as Grant Manager for selected grant funded projects during construction phases.
• Assists in development and review of data products used to analyze program information and streamline processes. This may involve geodatabases, spatial layers, dashboards, mobile applications, and Salesforce data sources.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of coastal management and environmental restoration
• Knowledge of terminology, techniques and principles of coastal management and environmental restoration 
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to assigned projects
• Skilled in the use of GIS-based computer programs
• Skilled in methods of collecting, compiling, organizing, and analyzing data
• Knowledge of the development process and permitting programs.
• Ability to demonstrate a working knowledge of administrative and project management principles and practices
• Skilled in the use of current scan, print, fax, and other forms of electronic communication and data management equipment
• Skilled (high proficiency) in the use of current personal computers and applications, particularly the entire Microsoft Office Suite
• Skills in typing words and numbers into spreadsheets, presentations, electronic documents, etc.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate positive and effective teamwork
• Ability to correctly determine work priorities and ensure timely completion of work, projects, and assignments with minimal errors
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgement and utilize problem-solving techniques
• Ability to consistently demonstrate participation and facilitation in professional and effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to organize and plan program activities
• Knowledge of OCULUS and other document management systems both electronic and manual
• Knowledge of database management practices
• Ability to develop data products to streamline data analysis

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of verifiable related experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of six years.
• Maintain a valid driver license.
• Travel.

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_ER@dep.state.fl.us

Contact Information

Richard Sanborn, HR Liaison 

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Richard.Sanborn@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.