Requisition No: 828841

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37011210

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37011210

Salary: $57,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 05/17/2024

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ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

STATE OF FLORIDA

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

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:

This posting is for a senior-level Environmental Specialist III position located at the Department of Environmental Protection's Central District Office, in Orlando. The position performs scientific assignments with supervision. The position could be in the Permitting and Waste Cleanup Program or the Compliance Assurance Program. The position requires skills in applying knowledge and instruction to accomplish permitting and compliance functions related to regulated facilities, wetlands and surface waters, SLERC, and or site remediation/site closures as well as extensive interaction with the regulated community, including consulting/engineering firms, business owners/operators, and homeowners. It requires the planning and conducting of site inspections and record reviews necessary for permitting and compliance evaluations. This position requires timely and accurate production of documentation from file reviews, inspections, incident responses and or field work as applicable. The position requires a timely and accurate production of documentation, data, and staff interactions into designated databases. Participation in the drafting of permitting and or compliance / enforcement documents as well as attending meetings may also be required. Additionally, this position may respond to, investigate, and take necessary steps to resolve complaints and phone communications. Finally, this position may be required to review reports and notices for regulated facilities and provide comment.

The Difference You Will Make:

The position requires skills in applying knowledge and instruction to accomplish permitting and compliance functions related to regulated facilities, wetlands and surface waters, or site remediation/site closures as well as extensive interaction with the regulated community, including consulting/engineering firms, business owners/operators, and homeowners.

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:

The Central District office is located in Orlando. In addition to some of the world's most visited theme parks, restaurants, and nightlife venues, Central Florida also has Port Canaveral, which is one of the world’s busiest ports for multi-day cruises, five First Magnitude Springs, eleven Outstanding Florida Waterways, seven Aquatic Preserves, and fourteen State Parks. The Central District covers 8 counties (Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Marion, Volusia, Brevard, Sumter).

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:

$57,000.00

Your Specific Responsibilities:

In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is always expected 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. The incumbent is also expected to actively support and work toward fulfilling the Agency’s Affirmative Action objectives. This environmental position will exhibit and implement strong organizational and time management skills. Supports the Central District’s mission, goals, and values.

External Compliance Assistance, Outreach, Training, and Partnership Implementation – Targets specific areas of regulatory noncompliance within the Central District and coordinates compliance assistance efforts with that industry.

• Conducts compliance/technical assistance site visits of regulated facilities to increase compliance rates.
• Seeks and cultivates positive partnering relationships with industry and regulated facilities to increase or maintain the highest possible compliance rates.
• Provides education and guidance to residential, commercial, institutional, and public sector. When available, arranges for the application of CEUs and the like towards outreach participants’ licensure.
• Supports, develops, participates, and/or assists in the execution of compliance assistance workshops for the regulated community.

Internal Training, Consulting, and Organizational Improvement- Assesses needs to determine training needs of Department staff.

• When directed, conduct peer review of work products for accuracy.
• Provides technical assistance as needed. Internal assistance includes training and providing technical assistance to Department staff.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations on training material and methodology. Develops and refines training aids such as SOPs, manuals, and handbooks.
• Participates, develops, and leads training activities and safety events. Facilitates learning through a variety of delivery methods including classroom instruction, virtual training, on-the-job coaching, job shadowing, and team building initiatives.
• Participates in training and is a self-advocate for training needs. Partners with appropriate district staff to learn about multiple DEP program areas.

Compliance – In general, this position may conduct inspections at facilities and sites known to be moderately to highly complex in multiple program areas.

• Plans and conducts inspections, site visits, sampling/testing, and/or other required field work. Reviews permitting files, reports, and other documents applicable to the inspection. Makes calculations and technical evaluations to determine compliance status of regulated facilities.
• Produces timely and accurate documentation of inspections, site visits, or field work. Reports are to be processed in accordance with established program rules, requirements, and policies. Enters inspection documentation, compliance data and resolution actions into the designated databases.
• 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, recommends enforcement action. Drafts enforcement documents, coordinates, and leads enforcement meetings.
• Responds to, investigates, and takes steps to resolve complaints.

Permitting and Waste Cleanup– In general, this position may review and process moderately to highly complex permit applications and technical documents in multiple program areas.

• Reviews permit applications, plans, specifications, and reports for assigned programs.
• Ascertains that all Department rules are met.
• Reviews technical aspects of projects to determine that all materials and methods described in the application package are addressed, complete and suitable to the circumstances and in accordance with sound engineering practices and principles and particularly in accord with specific engineering publications referenced in Department rules.
• Updates permitting data/records in all applicable data management systems.
• Recommends issuance or denial of permits as appropriate.
• Ensures that Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, deadlines, and district metrics are met.
• Conducts permit determinations and communicates final decision with the facility/site owner.
• Coordinates with Compliance staff and supports inspections to determine compliance with permit.
• Writes Requests for Additional Information permit documents and other correspondence clearly and professionally as needed.

Technical Assistance

Provides technical assistance to applicants, Utilities, and engineers as regards to department rules, guidelines, and policies on regulated entities.

Performs other duties as needed.

Performs related duties as required. including the conducting of meetings, data management, record keeping and streamlining of office procedures and document production.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to communicate in a tactful and courteous manner both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific and technical data.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to physically conduct field inspections/investigations.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to drive and travel, including some overnight.
• Ability to work well with people.
• Knowledge of the Department’s compliance and enforcement policies and procedures.
• Skill and proficiency in computer operations and programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of four years.
• Travel
• Complete initial OSHA 24-hour HAZWOPER and OSHA 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher annually thereafter.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three to five or more years of professional relevant experience.

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

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.