OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37950216

Requisition No: 869727 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37950216

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37950216 

Salary:  $24.00 - $28 per hour (commensurate based on experience) 

Posting Closing Date: 02/16/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

Anticipated Vacancy

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III (37950216)

Office of Water Policy & Ecosystems Restoration

The position serves as the Funding Support Specialist for the Everglades Restoration Projects and reports to the Senior Program Analyst. The primary responsibilities of this position are to facilitate processing, tracking, and file management for the funding support programs. This position will principally review, and process invoices received from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for Everglades Restoration Projects. The incumbent will be required to work 40-hour work weeks, Monday through Friday, and be present for work between the core hours of 9AM – 3PM.

The Funding Support Specialist assists the Senior Program Analyst in the management of the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund (SOETF), Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF), and other legislative appropriations associated with the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), Everglades Forever Act (EFA), and Northern Everglades and Estuary Protection Program (NEEPP) restoration projects.

This position will principally review, and process invoices related to Everglades restoration projects.  This position requires coordination of activities associated with funding and disbursement from the SOETF, LATF, CERP, NEEPP and General Revenue funds to the SFWMD. This position assists in updating and maintaining tracking databases and the processing and filing of invoices. This position requires participation in meetings and other activities with Federal, State, and local agency staff regarding CERP, EFA, NEEPP, and other related restoration activities utilizing OEP project funds. This position effectively coordinates with internal and external agency staff to facilitate communication and ensure timely review and approval of invoices. 

This position serves as a grant manager who develops and manages grant agreements and contract documents. Must track and report on deliverables, deadlines, and processes invoices. Required to maintain and update databases, along with organizing and maintaining agreement files. Will provide updates on fund disbursements and track balances. Performs editorial and quality assurance review of outgoing contract-related documents.

This position also assists in the editing of legislative budget requests and bill analysis documents as needed and attends workshops and training, as required. Some limited out-of-town travel may be required for grant management responsibilities and in-person meetings with the SFWMD Budget and Accounting Team.

Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Chapters 215, 216, 287, 373, and 375, Florida Statutes
• grant funding 
• grant management, contract management and invoice processing
• basic accounting principles and practices

Skill in:

• professional use of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint

 Ability to:

• focus on details
• ensure submitted financial documents are properly reviewed for compliance, accuracy and completeness
• ensure financial data is inputted correctly in systems of record
• follow standardized operating procedures
• adapt to changing priorities and modify work activities in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles
• organize and maintain administrative files and update tracking spreadsheets and databases
• develop and maintain databases to report on OWPER project status, legislative funding and expenditures
• independently plan, organize, and prioritize a complex workload to ensure timely completion of high-quality work assignments with minimal supervision
• manage multiple projects of a complex and technical nature
• use logic and reasoning to frame and focus issues, reach conclusions, and develop recommendations for issue resolution to management
• solve problems and make timely decisions with a “can-do” attitude
• communicate effectively in writing and verbally
• prepare and critique technical documents
• follow written and verbal instructions
• represent the Department appropriately in a professional and courteous manner
• understand and apply State of Florida statutes, applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• review data and forms for accuracy and completeness
• participate effectively as a team member and develop and maintain working relationships with diverse groups of professionals

Minimum Qualifications:

• A valid driver’s license.
• Travel as required.
• At least 4 years of verifiable related experience. Post-secondary degrees in one of the natural or physical sciences or related fields 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.

Applicable Job-Specific License or Certifications:

• Must obtain and maintain valid and active a Florida Certified Contract Manager certification within 1 year from hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business/finance management, accounting, environmental, engineering, or natural sciences from an accredited college or university.
• Active Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) status.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Knowledge of Excel, digital file management, contract oversight, and auditing processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite of software products with emphasis on Excel and basic accounting practices.
• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences.
• Knowledge of environmental planning, regulation, or policy.
• Knowledge of biological, chemical, and physical processes related to the evaluation of proposed activities affecting the greater South Florida ecosystem.

Pay:

$24.00 - $28 per hour (commensurate based on experience)

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:

Office of Water Policy & Ecosystems Restoration

Douglas Building

3900 Commonwealth Boulevard

Tallahassee, FL 32399

Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combine 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  Corebridge Financial);
• 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.

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.