OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37940231

Requisition No: 863889 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37940231

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37940231 

Salary:  $24.50 / hr. 

Posting Closing Date: 11/13/2025 

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OPS Environmental Specialist III – 37940231

(Science Communications Specialist)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

OPEN COMPETITIVE

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position will assist the Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) with preparing communications materials, developing presentations and facilitating meetings for internal and external audiences, developing and procuring promotional items, and working with appropriate leadership to develop press releases for the FCMP’s grant programs and initiatives, including the Statewide Ecosystem Assessment of Coastal and Aquatic Resources (SEACAR) project. Responsibilities also include review/editing of FCMP documents and reports, working with regional staff to identify opportunities for project highlights in internal and external communications, and coordinating with the SEACAR project manager and team to develop products and campaigns to relay science-based information to the public and key decision makers.

Other duties will include assisting with activities to support the FCMP and Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (ORCP), including providing review and input into Coastal Zone Management (CZM) related planning and reports (e.g., FCMP Annual Meeting, Section 309 Assessment, Strategies, and Implementation, Section 312 program evaluation activities, etc.), and, as time permits, assisting with other high priority ORCP activities along with other duties as assigned. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to demonstrate high levels of computer literacy and efficacy with the Microsoft Office Suite 

• Ability to understand scientific concepts and communicate key messages to a variety of audiences, including the general public 

• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing 

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team 

• Ability to interact with supervisors, coworkers and the public in a tactful and courteous manner 

• Ability to be adaptable, flexible, resourceful and to maintain a positive outlook 

• Ability to travel, including single-day and multi-day trips

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least four years of verifiable related experience.  Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in communications, environmental science or one of the sciences 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.

• A valid driver's license.
• Some overnight travel within Florida may be required.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of Florida’s coastal environments. 

• Experience with meeting facilitation. 

• Experience with developing communication strategies for scientific concepts for a wide variety of audiences. 

• Knowledge of coastal management priorities and programs.

Pay: 

$24.50 / hr.

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:

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 benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*).
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan, for more information, please visit Corebridge Financial).
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

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 for 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.