OPS Environmental Specialist Lead - 31902071

Requisition No: 839830 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: OPS Environmental Specialist Lead - 31902071

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 31902071 

Salary:  $35.00/hour 

Posting Closing Date: 11/13/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist Lead - OPS

 Bureau of Mitigation

State of Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is located in Tallahassee or Orlando, FL

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters.  These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power.  FDEM is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

FDEM serves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state’s efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, FDEM manages the State Watch Office (SWO); the 24-hours a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide. After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the state of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, “Coordinate, collaborate and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida” along with our vision of, “Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities”.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position is in the Bureau of Mitigation at FDEM. The Bureau of Mitigation manages three federal grants as well as one state of Florida grant to assist in reducing or eliminating the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. The Environmental Specialist Lead is responsible for coordinating and managing the environmental review component of federal grant applications to ensure compliance with applicable environmental laws.

Specific duties include the following:

• Coordinate trainings with state and federal agencies on project review for compliance with national and state environmental laws.
• Coordinate with FEMA Region IV staff on developing state procedures for conducting environmental assessments.

• Participate in state and federal agency environmental project consultations.
• Provide technical assistance to applicants both before application is submitted and during review including complex projects.
• Coordinate environmental review meetings with subgrantees to help determine appropriate projects, conduct local site inspections, review potential projects for environmental compliance with NEPA, and maintain records and databases of site visits.
• Provide technical assistance for advance environmental aspects on complex project agreements.
• Conduct environmental review training workshops for state and local staff involved in preparing and managing projects with disaster-related environmental assessments.
• Monitor Environmental Coordinators and provide technical assistance on project issues.
• Assign Environmental Specialists to project reviews.
• Ensure Standard Operating Procedures are up to date and accurate.
• Provide training to new employees.
• Advise higher level management on problems and policies related to environmental and historic preservation reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned to include disaster duties as a result of presidentially and non-declared disasters.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The incumbent for this position should possess the following:

• Advance knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the natural sciences.
• Ability to conduct trainings on how to review grant applications to assure they comply with applicable federal, state, and local environmental policies, as governed by federal and state laws and rules.
• Ability to coordinate with state and federal agencies on project reviews for compliance with national and state environmental laws.
• Ability to coordinate and provide technical assistance to state and local governments and other entities on complex environmental projects and program related issues.
• Ability to conduct advance program presentations and training workshops; good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively to all levels of government concerning projects and program issues from the environmental standpoint.
• Ability to coordinate with team leads to ensure teams are following standard operating

procedures and guidelines.

• Ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Windows, MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and GIS software.
• Ability to supervise teams.
• Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, and ensure proper completion of work.
• Ability to formulate policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental and historic preservation reviews and activities.
• Ability to travel overnight and to work non-traditional hours during emergency events and assume disaster related duties, as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge/experience with the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the natural sciences or other related disciplines.
• Knowledge/experience reviewing grant applications to assure they comply with applicable federal, state, and local environmental policies, as governed by federal and state laws and rules.

Special Notes:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

The Division of Emergency Management is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. The Division appreciates the service and sacrifices made by veterans and their family members. Further, FDEM recognizes the immeasurable value veterans bring to the workplace and is committed to increasing the number of veterans that serve in its workforce.

The Division of Emergency Management is committed to increasing recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities and improving employment outcomes. 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 FDEM Human Resources Office at (850) 815-4177. FDEM requests applicants notify HR 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.

Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida and the Division of Emergency Management participate in E-Verify. This federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

In response to emergency events, Division of Emergency Management employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee’s position description. Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

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.