ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37010367

Requisition No: 857824 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37010367

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010367 

Salary:  47,350.08 

Posting Closing Date: 08/19/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

STATE OF FLORIDA

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

**THIS IS AN ANTICIPATED VACANCY**

This position is located in West Palm Beach 

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection protects, conserves and manages the state’s natural resources and enforces its environmental laws. Each position works together as a whole to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources.

This is an entry level position responsible for processing permit applications and/or conducting compliance inspections for the Department’s Compliance Assurance Program/Permitting Program. The job requires skills in applying instructions to accomplish different job functions and a general understanding of scientific principles.

Facility Compliance 

• In general, this position will conduct a variety of low complexity inspections.
• Plans and conducts inspections, site visits, and/or other required field work.  Reviews permitting files, reports and other documents applicable to the inspection, conducts calculations and technical evaluations necessary to determine the compliance status of a facility. 
• Provides compliance assistance to regulated facilities before, during, and after inspections.
• Conducts follow up visits as needed to assist facilities with returning to compliance without enforcement. 
• When necessary, recommend enforcement action. Drafts enforcement documents and coordinates and leads enforcement meetings. 
• Responds to, investigates, and takes steps to resolve complaints. 
• Reviews permit applications and draft permits, as necessary, to ensure the final permit meets State regulatory requirements.
• Conceives, supports, participates, and/or assists in the execution of compliance assistance workshops for the regulated community and District employee cross training.

Training

• Participates in office training events/activities to gain essential skills needed to determine the compliance status of regulated facilities. This includes participating in safety events, job shadowing, on the job training, and team building initiatives as directed by management.
• Is a self-advocate for training and partners with appropriate district staff to learn about multiple DEP program areas.

Report Processing

• Produces timely and accurate documentation of inspections, site visits, or field work. 
• Enters inspection documentation, compliance data and resolution actions into the designated database. 
• Reviews required reports, test reports, and notices for regulated facilities.  Ensures the reviews are accurate, completed timely, and are entered into the designated database. Reports are to be processed in accordance with established program rules, requirements, and policies. 
• May need to snorkel and when performed must adhere to the DEP Snorkeling Policy and Directive 710 and Motor Vehicles/Watercraft Assignment and Utilization Directive 620.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences. 
• Skilled in the use of personal computers, computer programs, spreadsheets, industry database applications and various electronic devices.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to work in a team or independently.
• Ability to prepare technical and programmatic reports.
• Ability to understand and follow legislative policy direction as established in Florida Statutes.
• Ability to deal with the public in tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to perform field inspections including climb ladders and stairs, walk on slopes, lift/carry 40 lbs. over a distance of up to 100 yards.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time in temperatures and weather conditions typical of South Florida.
• Ability to conduct and complete work assignments without close supervision.
• Ability to use safety equipment
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to Water (SLERP and PW) program areas or knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to Waste (Storage Tanks, Waste Cleanup) program areas. (preferred)
• Skilled at performing field inspections. (preferred)
• Must have prior approval and meet the snorkeling / skin diving validation requirements in the DEP Underwater Operations Manual, as applicable.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver License 
• Ability to travel, overnight if required
• Ability to use safety equipment

• At least four (4) years of verifiable related experience in regulatory inspection/compliance/permitting or other related experience. Post-secondary degrees with a major in natural or physical science 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.

Position of Special Trust Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

Pay:

$ 47,350.08

Our Organization and Mission: 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s leading 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:

This position is located in West Palm Beach Florida. West Palm Beach is Palm Beach County's capital city and its cultural center. Its active downtown stretches from a scenic pier on the Lake Worth Lagoon to a waterfront Great Lawn, which hosts a weekly green market, outdoor concerts and this season a 35-foot-tall holiday sandcastle.  Dozens of local beaches provide easy access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.  Several State Parks as well as National Parks are in the immediate area as well. 

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: 

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

• 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 click www.myfrs.com);
• Tuition waivers.
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• And more!

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

To learn more about the DEP Southeast District office, please access the following link: https://floridadep.gov/southeast

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.

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.