ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37010414

Requisition No: 840365 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37010414

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010414 

Salary:  $50-$56,000 

Posting Closing Date: 11/21/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Career Service (CS) ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Other Personal Service (OPS) ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

 2 Open Competitive Vacancies

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. 

The Work You Will Do:

The Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration (OWPER) is hiring for two positions: a Career Service (CS) Environmental Specialist II, position number 37010414 and an Other Personal Services (OPS) Environmental Specialist III, position number 37950027. Both positions will primarily serve as Field Compliance Coordinator's for OWPER. The positions are located at 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach. The primary responsibilities of these positions include the inspection of large scale environmental protection and enhancement civil works projects associated with Everglades Restoration efforts, in accordance with Chapters 403, 404, and 373, Florida Statutes, and all Chapters in Florida Administrative Codes used to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP), and the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), including those administered by the Submerged Lands and Environmental Resources Coordination Program (SLERC) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.

Both positions will evaluate potential environmental impacts and effects on water quality and surrounding ecosystems which result from Everglades Restoration construction and operations. These projects include reservoirs, impoundments, canals, pump stations, stormwater treatment areas, and other civil works designed to restore the hydrology and ecology of the Everglades ecosystem, an area covering 18,000 square miles.      

Both positions are full-time positions and will provide compliance assistance during permitting, construction, and operation and must build strong working relationships with interagency compliance staff, construction site managers, and related personnel. Field days may require driving long distances and working independently in remote, rural, and outdoor locations in South Florida.

The Difference You Will Make

The OWPER plays a key role in carrying out the largest environmental restoration project in the world, restoring the natural treasure of America’s Everglades. Our office ensures effective implementation of DEP’s policy, programmatic, technical and regulatory responsibilities under the Everglades Forever Act, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program, and related efforts including Kissimmee River Restoration, Critical Projects Program, Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Program, and Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park.

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:

This position is in the mid-sized city of West Palm Beach (WPB) in Palm Beach County.  The city is big enough to have an active culture and nightlife, loads of restaurants and interesting attractions, and an active historical preservation commitment. Palm Beach County has the eleventh-largest school system in the USA and there is no state income tax for residents of Florida. Some local recreation opportunities include:

• Award-winning public beaches with warm clear water along the 47 miles of county coastline
• Golf capital of the world; PGA headquarters
• Boating and water sports opportunities, miles of living reef and clear water make Palm Beach a SCUBA diving destination and Lake Okeechobee the Bass Fishing Capital of the World. The Palm Beach International Boat Show is one of the top five boat shows in the nation.
• Hiking, biking and canoeing, thirty-five county operated nature areas provide over 30,000 acres to explore, including the Loxahatchee River, Florida’s first Federally Designated “Wild and Scenic River.”

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Career Service Position

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);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

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

Other Personal Position

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 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:

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II (CS) $4,166.67/monthly $50,000.04/annually

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III (OPS) $26.22 /hour.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, schedule, and conduct field inspections for the Greater Everglades Restoration Projects; assign compliance status, provide written reports, recommendations, and corrective actions.

• Provide compliance assistance while in the field and during partnering, pre-construction and weekly construction meetings; ensure consistency with regulatory criteria and project objectives (EFA, CERPRA, NEEPP, ERP) throughout project construction and operation.

• Maintain list of assigned construction projects and track project status, including start and completion dates, progress, and outstanding compliance deliverables, through utilizing the section’s Microsoft Access database, file maintenance and coordination with supervisor. 

• Maintain a photo record of construction progress for each project.
• Provide construction project updates in team meetings and as needed to supervisor, team members and leadership.
• Review and process permitting and compliance requests, including but not limited to, turbidity control plans & reports, SWPPP/EPP plans, dewatering plans, annual reports, Water Quality monitoring reports, toxicity reports, levee and structure inspections, spill notifications, blasting notifications, wildlife surveys, wetland restoration plans & reports, waste clean-up reports and other information as specified by supervisor.      
• Support Section efforts to carry out the policies and objectives set forth by the Department and the OWPER.
• Other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Maintain a valid driver’s license and travel as needed,
• Ability to operate four-wheel drive vehicles to access remote projects,
• Knowledge of Federal and State environmental regulations including State water quality standards,
• Ability to interpret and evaluate chemical and biological, water quality and ecological data,
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Software,
• Ability to delineate and assess wetlands,
• Ability to calibrate and operate turbidity monitoring equipment,
• Ability to work independently and on teams,
• Ability to sustain internal and external constructive working relationships,
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing,
• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure timely completion of high-quality work assignments.

This ESIII will primarily work in a cubical office with periodic field visits. The position requires the physical ability to speak English on the telephone, read from a computer monitor and perform field inspections involving hiking or wading in mud or water, climbing over/under obstacles, often in extreme heat, humidity or rain, and driving for three consecutive hours.

The qualified candidates will demonstrate their experience and ability to:

• Use Microsoft office and Google Earth software to complete written work products that are grammatically correct and concise.
• Use time management for prioritization and self-motivated engagement to complete work on schedule.
• Speak in public meetings.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and permit applicants
• Employ critical thinking to take action to achieve desired results.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in one of the natural or environmental sciences from an accredited college or university; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related professional experience, as described in this posting, for a total of four years.
• Must pass Florida Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector Training within a year and maintain certification.

Other Job-Related Requirements for this position: 

• Maintain a valid driver's license.
• Travel as needed.

The incumbent of this position, in accordance with sections 110.1127 and 435.04, Florida Statutes and DEP Directive 422, Background Investigations, is required to successfully complete a background and fingerprint check

Vendor Invoice, Chapter 215.422, F.S.

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.

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.