Requisition No: 826965 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37020070

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020070 

Salary: $51,000 annually (commensurate with experience) 

Posting Closing Date: 04/26/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This advertisement may be used to fill multiple positions.

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 create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem. This position will work under the Nonpoint Source Management Program (NPSM) within the Division of Water Restoration Assistance (DWRA), with the primary mission of preserving, restoring, and protecting water quality in Florida. 

The Work You Will Do:

This position is an Environmental Specialist III that will work as a Grant Manager to develop and manage assigned cost-reimbursement agreements for projects selected for federal and/or state grant funding. Managing a project from start to finish includes developing a scope of work, review of deliverables, processing payment requests, and entering data within a grant management system.

Typical projects selected for grant funding include, but are not limited to:

• Construction of traditional stormwater treatment best management practices (e.g., wet retention ponds, modular wetlands, baffle boxes, etc.); 
• Construction of green stormwater infrastructure/low impact development practices (e.g., rain gardens, permeable pavement, tree boxes, etc.);
• Proper abandonment of septic tanks to connect to sewer;
• Demonstration of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) to reduce fertilizer use, reduce water consumption, and lower land use intensity; and
• Public education/outreach campaigns to promote reducing personal pollution through behavior change (e.g., the Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Program)

The Difference You Will Make:

Stormwater runoff is one of the leading contributors of water quality problems in Florida. Runoff flows over land or impervious surfaces instead of allowing rain to soak into the ground, picking up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, bacteria, nutrients, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters. Population growth and urbanized areas are major contributors to the amount of pollutants in runoff. As a member of the Nonpoint Source Management team, you will assist in selecting and implementing projects that reduce these pollutants from entering waterbodies. You may perform site visits to select projects so that you can personally connect with how these projects help local communities with water quality issues. The position also aids and coordinates with the other program areas of the Division in pursuit of the overall mission to preserve, restore and protect the water quality of Florida.

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 located at 3900 Commonwealth Blvd, Tallahassee, Florida.
• Tallahassee is a mid-sized city, the capital of the state of Florida, and is known for its beautiful parks and trails, rolling hills, canopied roads, museums, and natural resources.
• It is located less than an hour from Gulf of Mexico beaches, the Apalachicola National Forest, the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, and waterbodies like bays, creeks, rivers, and springs to explore.
• Tallahassee is also home to the following college campuses: Florida State University (FSU), Florida A & M University (FAMU), and Tallahassee Community College (TCC).

• No state income tax for residents of Florida.
• Percentage of time required to travel to perform mission critical duties, less than 10%.

Pay:

$51,000.00 yearly (commensurate with experience)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Serves as project manager for projects that have been awarded grant or contractual funds by the Department, particularly in the area of stormwater nonpoint source abatement/demonstration projects and water resource restoration. Provides technical assistance to governments and their consultants in the development of the grants and/or contract and scopes of work and as needed throughout the grant and/or contract period. Maintains, manages, processes, and reports on the status of assigned projects from start to completion. 

Maintains project and funding data in the Salesforce Enterprise Grants System Program Area Component to properly manage and track grant progress, so that reports submitted to leadership on grants awarded by the Department will be accurate.

Participate and work effectively as a leader, facilitator, or member of program-approved teams created to facilitate the completion of tasks related to the implementation of watershed restoration, to improve the effectiveness of the operation of the program or to resolve process or work problems.

Perform other duties as assigned, which may include database entry, project management, and issue tracking.

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 Career Service 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.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to learn Department contracting procedures and policies.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to represent the Department appropriately in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to maintain working relationships with diverse groups of professionals
• Ability to attend to details, meet deadlines, maintain administrative files, and update tracking spreadsheets/databases.
• Ability to prepare and critique technical documents.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license and travel as required.
• Ability to successfully complete training for Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) designation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university or four years of relevant work experience.

• A valid driver’s license.
• Achieve and maintain a Florida Certified Contract Manager status within 6-12 months of hiring.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, engineering, natural sciences, or business/finance management.
• Knowledge of stormwater treatment practices and nonpoint source pollution management.
• Experience in managing state agreements and contracts and the state procurement process.
• Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) status.
• Knowledge of environmental issues and laws, especially as they relate to water and ecosystem issues in Florida.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills. 

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@dep.state.fl.us

Nearest Major Market: Tallahassee

For questions concerning this position, please contact:

Emily Lang, Environmental Administrator

Ph. 850-245-2866

Emily.Lang@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.