OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37950181

Requisition No: 839210 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37950181

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37950181 

Salary:  $28.00 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 11/06/2024 

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OPS Environmental Specialist III

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

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 OPS Environmental Specialist III position (37950181) is a technical support position in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Water Quality Restoration Program (WQRP) in Tallahassee. This position will provide support to Program staff in the development and implementation of watershed restoration management plans; working with program staff to assess information and prepare watershed reports; recommending additional data collection; analyzing and interpreting data to determine aquatic ecosystem health. Providing support with organizing meetings, preparing agendas, background papers, maps, tables, presentation materials and other documents and materials, and coordinating with BMAP development contractors to provide support in developing and implementing BMAPs. The incumbent has the responsibility of handling various assignments and dealing with a variety of tasks and must use independent judgement and problem-solving skills to successfully accomplish the job. 

The Difference You Will Make: 

Water and natural resources are the foundation of Florida's communities, economy, and way of life. The Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) is charged with protecting, maintaining, and improving the quality of Florida’s springs, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. DEAR team members provide the department and other resource agencies with the highest quality laboratory services available; provide technical support to the department and the public regarding water quality analysis and data quality assurance (QA); manage water quality data repositories for data storage and use by the department, other agencies and the public; and work together to monitor and assess Florida’s surface water and groundwater quality, develop strategies to reduce pollution, and work closely with local stakeholders to implement comprehensive restoration strategies that improve the lives of all Floridians and preserve aquatic resources for generations to come. 

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 - Tallahassee, Florida’s Capitol 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*).  For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to:  https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees 

• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).  For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com 

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please click  Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;  

• Flexible Spending Accounts;  

 For a more benefits information, 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. 

Pay: 

$28.00/hour   

Your Specific Responsibilities: 

This position is to support activities associated with implementing the state’s Total Maximum Daily Load/Watershed Management Program. This program relies on partnerships and close coordination with managers and technical staff of the Program; Division; Department; Water Management Districts; local, state, regional and federal agencies; the public, and the regulated community. This responsibility requires extensive public contact and creating effective working partnerships with watershed stakeholders.  

 Strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of the principles of watershed management are used to perform the following duties: 

Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) Development: Provide support to Program staff in the development and implementation of watershed restoration management plans; working with program staff to assess information and prepare watershed reports; recommending additional data collection; analyzing and interpreting data to determine aquatic ecosystem health. Provide support with organizing meetings, preparing agendas, background papers, maps, tables, presentation materials and other documents and materials, and coordinating with BMAP development contractors to provide support in developing BMAPs.

Stakeholder Involvement and Coordination: Assist Program staff in coordinating activities with stakeholders, such as in securing stakeholder reviews of nutrient source inventories or draft BMAPs. Provide support for the preparation of informational materials for use by the public and internally; develops maps, tables, calendars, templates, and other documents to strengthen stakeholder support and participation in plan development and other stakeholder processes. 

Plan Monitoring and Reporting: Provide support to Program staff to ensure that BMAP implementation meetings and reporting requirements are carried out as identified and scheduled in adopted. Work with Program staff for meetings and other communications with stakeholders and Department staff on the status of actions identified in BMAPs, on water quality results, and on the status of other environmental responses to BMAP implementation. Provide support to Program staff with drafting summary progress reports and other information for Program and Division managers on actions identified in approved BMAPs and related plans. 

 Other Duties: Assist Program staff with review of water quality improvement projects and budgets in different plans, such as Florida Forever work plans and watershed restoration plans. Assist Program staff with review and comment on WMD Surface Water Improvement and Management Act (SWIM) Plans, Best Management Practice (BMP) manuals, and other efforts related to both urban and agricultural nutrient source protection. Assist in the development and implementation of financial assistance agreements, contracts and grants related to water quality restoration and water quality restoration projects.

 Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

1. Knowledge of principles of surface and groundwater hydrology. 

2. Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences. 

3. Knowledge of applied statistical methods for water quality assessments. 

4. Skill in using ESRI GIS software, MS-Office, and various modeling tools. 

5. Ability to evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data. 

6. Ability to understand and apply applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures relating to land and water resource management program activities. 

7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. 

8. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 

9. Ability to solve problems and effectively make decisions. 

10. Ability to work independently and as part of team. 

11. Ability to work well under pressure. 

12. Ability to prepare technical reports. 

13. Ability to successfully complete training for Florida Certified Contract Manager designation. 

14. Ability to travel outside of Tallahassee. 

15. Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license. 

Required or Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering sciences, chemistry, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, environmental policy, public health, or computer science from an accredited university or college and 2 years of relevant verifiable experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable relevant experience, as described above, for a total of 6 years. 

 Other Job Related Requirements for this position:  

• Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) designation or ability to obtain within one year of completing the on-the-job requirements for eligibility to take the FCCM training. 

• Travel, at times for long distance. Valid 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 

HR_Recruitment@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.