OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37950052

Requisition No: 854537 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37950052

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37950052 

Salary:  $26.48 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 06/19/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS Environmental Specialist III  

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection
This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The OPS Environmental Specialist III, 37950052, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Water Quality Evaluation & TMDL Program in Tallahassee. The position is responsible for the implementation of Chapter 62-303, Florida Administrative Code (Impaired Waters Rule) by evaluating and interpreting water quality data and associated documentation submitted to the department for waterbody assessments, reasonable assurance plans, pollutant reductions plans, or other alternative restoration plans. This position will work in coordination with basin team members and local stakeholders to evaluate progress towards meeting restoration targets. The role of this position is important to the agency’s mission to protect, restore, and maintain the health of Florida’s waters.

Demonstrates the capability of understanding and applying the rules which include but are not limited to the State Surface Water Quality Standards (62-302, F.A.C.) and Identification of Impaired Surface Waters (62-303, F.A.C.) and use them properly and efficiently in the water quality assessments and listing process. The employee should be knowledgeable and proficient with the IWR database, ArcGIS, and statistical and worksheet programs (e.g., EXCEL).

Assists in the evaluation and interpretation of water quality data and associated documentation for waterbody assessments, reasonable assurance plans (RAPs), pollutant reductions plans, or other alternative restoration plans to support restoration projects, including the identification, review, or preparation of assessment category 4b (Reasonable Assurance Plans), 4d (Study List), and 4e (On-going Restoration Activities) reports. Provides technical support to other sections within the division in the identification of impaired waterbodies prioritized for TMDL development, restoration plans and the principles of setting restoration targets. This may include participation on basin teams, working groups or other collaborative activities associated with the development or implementation of Alternative Restoration Plans, Reasonable Assurance Plans, Pollutant Reduction Plans, or TMDL Implementation Plans.

Performs other duties in association with water quality and/or watershed evaluations as needed, including tracking waterbody restoration projects; category 4e template document; coordination with stakeholders to acquire the status of project implementation; assisting in the evaluation of restoration progress reports; and provide updates to relevant department webpages. Maintains a working knowledge of applicable rules including Chapters 62-302, 62-303, and 62-304, F.A.C. as they relate to restoration plans, watershed assessment and TMDL development. 

Provides expertise on the dynamics and function of waterbodies. Develops and maintains a strong knowledge of analytical techniques for understanding aquatic systems including statistical and mechanistic approaches.

Attends public meetings and assists staff in producing materials for presenting technical information to a non-technical audience; presents assessment results, obtains additional data or relevant information, and addresses concerns or questions with basin stakeholders.

Assists with data entry and quality assurance review of water quality and bioassessment data collected for strategic monitoring or other projects used in the identification of impaired waterbodies.   

Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of biological, chemical, and physical processes as they relate to surface water quality.
• Knowledge of water quality data collection principles and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision, or as part of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to use computer software for word processing, statistical evaluation, data management.
• Ability to use ArcGIS and other GIS tools (including geodatabases).
• Ability to present technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s License.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least six years of verifiable related experience in engineering, engineering sciences, chemistry, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, environmental policy, or public health. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, engineering sciences, chemistry, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, environmental policy, or public health 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.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Occasional Travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with, and/or knowledge of the challenges unique to working with large datasets.
• Knowledge of bioassessment data collection and interpreting results.
• Proficient in functional use of geospatial applications including ESRI GIS, QGIS, Web Mapping Applications.
• Knowledge and experience in project management principles and techniques.
• Skill in using statistical programming languages including R, Python, or SAS to conduct data analysis and advanced statistical analyses.
• Skill in using Python to create ArcGIS or QGIS geospatial processing tools.
• Skill and experience of developing and using watershed and water quality models to characterize impaired waters and establish restoration targets (example: PLSM, HSPF, LSPC, WASP, ArcNLET, etc.)

Pay:

• $26.48 Hourly

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. 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 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 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.