ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37021081
Requisition No: 839343
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37021081
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 37021081
Salary: $52,530.00
Posting Closing Date: 11/08/2024
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Environmental Specialist III – 37021081
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection
Beach Inlets and Ports Program
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 Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (ORCP) implements state and federal regulation to protect our natural resources, springs, estuaries and beaches.
The incumbent will be a Compliance Officer for the Beaches, Inlets and Ports Program (BIPP). BIPP is comprised of four sections; Permitting, Compliance, Resource Review, and Strategic Planning and Coordination. BIPP regulates coastal construction activities that are within the regulatory authority of Chapters 120, 161, 253, 258, 373, and 403, Florida Statutes. For more information on the Beaches, Inlets and Ports Program, see the following link: https://floridadep.gov/RCP/Beaches-Inlets-Ports
The Difference You Will Make:
The 825 miles of sandy coastline fronting the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida are one of Florida’s most valuable natural resources. These sandy beaches provide a home to many species of plants and animals, they are the primary attraction for millions of tourists each year and they are the first line of defense against storms. BIPP team members work in concert to protect the shoreline from activities that could contribute to erosion or otherwise adversely impact environmental resources. As the Compliance Officer you will work closely with the regulated community and the public to provide compliance and enforcement support for Joint Coastal Permits (JCP) and Environmental Resource Permits (ERP) issued by BIPP.
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:
The primary responsibility of this position is to coordinate the evaluation of potential adverse impacts to coastal ecosystems associated with beach nourishment projects that require Joint Coastal Permits (JCP) and Sovereign Submerged Lands (SSL) Authorizations. In addition to evaluating the procedural aspects of permit applications, this position evaluates the basic environmental components of the project and consults (as needed) with the experts within the Program, the Division, the Department and other State agencies in order to complete the evaluation. This position communicates and coordinates extensively with permit applicants, local, state, and federal governmental agencies, and other interest groups.
The incumbent in this position is expected to maintain expertise on the statutes, rules, and policies related to this program, pursuant to Chapters 120, 161, 253, 258, 373, and 403, Florida Statutes. The ability to resolve conflicts and propose appropriate agency action, according to these Statutes and rules is required. In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the Departments Standard 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.
Conducts the regulatory review and processing of JCP applications and the co-processing of authorizations to use sovereign submerged lands according to statutes, rules, and procedures. Coordinates with personnel in the Division, other branches of the Department, and other agencies to complete this process in a timely manner. Reviews applications for completeness and prepares requests for additional information needed to fully understand the project. Evaluates the impacts of proposed projects and determines if the projects meet the criteria for issuance, as required by statute and rule. Works with the applicant to minimize impacts and to offset any unavoidable impacts through mitigation.
Prepares written reports addressing these impacts and criteria. Briefs management on recommended agency action based on the criteria for issuance. Once approved by management, drafts the documents for intended and final agency action. Maintains communication with supervisor and applicants regarding projects status and deadlines.
Coordinates with applicants and appropriate personnel from the Division, the Department, and other agencies prior to permit application to discuss the potential impacts, design and feasibility of future projects. Works with the prospective applicant and appropriate agency personnel to develop designs that avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts.
Conducts post-issuance review of project plans and specifications, requests for notices to proceed and monitoring reports. Processes applications for permit modifications. Ensures appropriate follow-up on permit compliance issues and evaluates project performance.
Inspects project sites (as appropriate) from the land, air and water to observe coastal conditions. Conducts on-site inspections during the application phase of a project to evaluate the potential for impacts to biological resources. Conducts post-issuance inspections to assess the actual impacts and to determine compliance with the permit. Documents the inspections with photographs and field reports. Site inspections may be conducted using SCUBA.
Develops and maintains a professional knowledge of marine, estuarine and wetland ecology, habitat restoration, wildlife protection, dredging technologies and the statutes, rules and policies of this Program.
Represents the Program in meetings or forums with local, state and federal governmental representatives and public interest groups.
Participates in administrative hearings, as an expert witness, regarding projects evaluated. Prepares responses to applicants or concerned citizens regarding issues related to our projects or Program.
Assists in the development of rules and policies necessary for the implementation of the Program.
May be deployed post storm to project areas that have been impacted.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Experience in the use of personal computers and software for word processing and GIS.
- Ability to process permit applications according to statutes, rules and procedures.
- Ability to manage workload to meet statutory time clocks and internal deadlines.
- Ability to collect, analyze, evaluate and interpret scientific and technical data; ability to deal with the public and co-workers in a tactful and courteous manner.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing; ability to plan and conduct field inspections.
- Ability to prepare logical and concise technical reports.
- Ability to understand and implement Florida’s water quality standards.
- Ability to travel, including single-day and multi-day trips.
- Ability to maintain a valid Driver’s License.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, environmental science or one of the natural sciences and three years of verifiable related work experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of seven years.
- Valid Florida 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
Contact Information
Lauren Jordan, HR Liaison
Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(850) 245-2170
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.
TALLAHASSEE, FL, US, 32399
Nearest Major Market: Tallahassee