ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 42005734

Requisition No: 817386 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 42005734

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005734 

Salary:  $55,000.14 - $65,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 12/12/2023 

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT
 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
 

OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL WATER POLICY
 

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

This position's headquarters are negotiable within Charlotte, Citrus, Desoto, Hardee,
Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Sumter County.

WHO WE ARE
 

The Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP) is one Division in the Florida Department of Agriculture. Our office’s primary mission is to “Implement strategies that protect Florida's water resources while promoting the sustainability of agriculture”.
 

WHAT WE DO
 

The Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP) works with agricultural producers, industry groups, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the university system, and the Florida water management districts to develop and implement Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) addressing both water quality and water conservation. The FDACS Office of Agricultural Water Policy is also involved in the development of agricultural water quality and water supply policy and plans; administration of cost-share programs for the implementation of BMPs; BMP research and demonstrations; providing mobile irrigation lab services; and providing data and technical assistance to producers, stakeholders, and state agencies.
 

WHAT YOU WILL DO
 

As an Environmental Consultant, you will be responsible for variety of exciting and meaningful assignments. This position is co-located in a SWFWMD office typically without other OAWP staff. While still part of a collaborative team, the candidate should feel comfortable establishing local relationships with District, field services, and cooperating agency staff independently.  As an Environmental Consultant within the Policy Planning and Coordination section, you will be expected to:
 

• Coordinate with water management districts, Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), local governments, and other entities on behalf of FDACS regarding water-supply, water-quality and regulatory issues that affect agriculture. Participate in assigned committees, teams and working groups. Summarize information from meetings for Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP) leadership.
• Identify and summarize for leadership those policy developments or proposals with the potential to affect agriculture in assigned areas of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, development of water supply plans, minimum flows and minimum water levels, total maximum daily loads, basin management action plans and reasonable assurance plans, applicable Florida Administrative Code, regional land use and conservation plans, and other local government codes, ordinances or actions.
• Review and comment on technical documents related to groundwater modeling, surface-water modeling, water-supply and water-quality improvement projects, total maximum daily loads, basin management action plans and reasonable assurance plans. Assess calculations and methodologies including nutrient loading, nutrient reduction estimates, nutrient fate/transport, and nutrient modeling.
• Collect, analyze, and provide FDACS data related to BMP Program enrollment, agricultural production, acreage and water use, and water-quality impacts to partners, stakeholders, and other requesting entities with relevant data interpretation. Assess agricultural land use transition and ensure changes are appropriately reflected in FDACS datasets. Use the above-mentioned datasets in technical meetings with partners.
• Performing other work-related tasks, as required.
   

THE DIFFERENCE YOU WILL MAKE
 

You will be a vital component in assisting OAWP leadership to develop program policy in response to legislation, water policy issues, water quality restoration plans, and water supply plans that impact the BMP program and Florida agricultural producers. You will also ensure that agricultural activities from enrolled producers, agricultural water use needs, other agriculture information are considered in any regulatory plans intended to protect water resources that are developed by local, state, or federal agencies. You will impact the quality of life of Florida citizens by assisting producers in their efforts of environmental stewardship, enhancing water quality, and aiding with water conservation.
 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - INCLUDING UTILIZATION OF EQUIPMENT, REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION
 

• Knowledge of the agricultural areas in the Southwest Florida WMD area.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices and techniques related to agricultural BMPs and conservation, including nutrient management, irrigation management, and water resource protection.
• Knowledge of Florida water law, policy or programs/regulation in Florida in areas such as: water supply planning, consumptive water use permitting, total maximum daily load establishment / basin management action plans or minimum flow and minimum water level determinations.
• Ability to use ArcGIS software such as ArcMap, ArcPro, or ArcGIS Online/Portal.
• Ability to interact with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to compile, organize, and analyze data and make recommendations.
• Ability to access and research digital information and prepare documents using a personal computer with basic understanding of the internet, GIS, Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office products including Outlook scheduling.
• Ability to work independently to plan, organize, coordinate, and complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to be flexible, multitask, and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and different agencies to implement management recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple, multi-year, concurrent projects.
• Ability to work independently and complete tasks with attention to detail under minimal supervision.
• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work priorities.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to maintain a valid FL driver’s license.
   

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
 

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in environmental protection, regulation; one of the physical or natural sciences; or engineering; or
 

Three (3) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or
 

Three and a half (3.5) years of experience as described above.
 

Requires possession of a valid Driver’s License.
 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
 

Moderate travel with occasional overnight travel is required.
 

In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the Department’s Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.
 

PAY RANGE
 

$55,000.14 - $65,000.00

CONTACT

Yesenia Escribano, (850) 617-1732, Yesenia.Escribano@fdacs.gov 
 

THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA
 

Working for the State of Florida is more than just a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits, which include:
 

• Annual and Sick leave benefits.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions. For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Tuition waivers.
• And more!
   

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

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***
 

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
 

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
   

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values and supports employment of i
ndividuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
 

NOTES
 

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.