Requisition No: 828371 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37021076

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37021076 

Salary: $51,000 

Posting Closing Date: 05/12/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III 

State of Florida 

Department of Environmental Protection 

Open Competitive

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.  

The Work You Will Do: 

The Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration is accepting applications for one full time Career Service Environmental Specialist III position number 37021076. The selected candidate will join a multidisciplinary team that implements Department policy, programmatic, technical, and regulatory responsibilities under several Everglades restoration efforts, including the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), Everglades Forever Act (EFA), and the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP). This position provides technical support to Everglades planning, permitting and compliance activities by evaluating, interpreting, and reporting water quality data specific to the Everglades ecosystem. This position requires frequent participation in intra- and interagency teams and working groups and is also involved in the implementation of the Innovative Technology Grants that identify methods to prevent, combat, and clean-up harmful algal blooms. This position has no supervisory responsibilities. 

The Difference You Will Make: 

The Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration 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 EFA, CERP, NEEPP, and related efforts including Kissimmee River Restoration, Critical Projects Program, Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Program, and Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park.

Restoration initiatives are focused on improving water quality and restoring the hydrology and ecology of the Everglades ecosystem, which covers nearly 18,000 square miles from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes to Florida Bay. 

How You Will Grow: 

DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiency. 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: 

Tallahassee, Florida’s Capitol City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Boasting proximity to the coast and centrally located to popular tourist destinations, Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.

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

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

Pay: 

$51,000.00 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities: 

This position provides technical support for planning, permitting and compliance activities associated with Everglades restoration and implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan Regulation Act, Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program, Everglades Forever Act, and Environmental Resource Permitting Program, and State 404 Program. This technical support is including but not limited to generating the salinity and water level daily reports used for South Florida system updates, reviewing permit applications, water quality monitoring plans, regulatory reports, and statistically analyzing and illustrating water quality and hydrological data for the greater Everglades ecosystem.

This position will assist in writing Chapter 3 of the annual South Florida Environmental Report. Other duties include participation in interagency meetings and working groups with Federal and State partners and local stakeholders, including the Restoration Coordination & Verification team (RECOVER) and Project Delivery Teams (PDT) for Everglades restoration projects. The position will also provide technical support for OWPER on the Everglades Technical Oversight Committee.

Other responsibilities include supporting the program’s quality assurance (QA) system and conducting technical reviews of Innovative Technology Grant deliverables, including Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs). 

Other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to analyze and interpret water quality and environmental data. Experience using R and RStudio or similar statistical analysis software is strongly desired.
• Ability to synthesize data into reports and presentations that illustrate and communicate key findings, trends, and regional water quality and/or hydrological status.
• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure timely and accurate completion of tasks and assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups of professionals.
• Ability to work independently and with others in a team setting with minimal supervision.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to plan and coordinate work assignments.
• Strong time management skills.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to operate personal computers and appropriate software for word processing and data analysis.
• Applicable knowledge of statistical theory.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Required Qualifications: 

• BACHELOR’S DEGREE (Required):

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a natural science (i.e., biology, chemistry, 
environmental science) or related field; or any combination of pos-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as 
described above, for a total of four years.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• One year of relevant experience. 
• Knowledge of Rule Chapter 62-302, F.A.C., and Rule Chapter 62-160, F.A.C.
• Knowledge of biological, chemical, and physical processes related to the evaluation of proposed activities affecting the greater South Florida ecosystem.

Other Job-Related Requirements for this position:

Hold and maintain a valid driver license.

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_ER@dep.state.fl.us 

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.