What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Specialist position at City of North Port?
Under direction of the Natural Resources Manager, this position will carry out professional and technical work regarding identification, preservation, and management of Florida native species and their habitats. Work includes performing a variety of specialized environmental management activities related to the protection of the City's natural resources.
- Evaluates sites for environmentally sensitive features such as wetlands and habitats actively or potentially used by threatened or endangered species.
- Reviews environmental mitigation and management plans for development proposals and provides recommendations regarding impacts to surface and groundwater quality, air quality, wetlands and unique habitats, threatened/endangered species, and species of special concern.
- Performs site visits to verify information contained in proposed environmental management plans and ensure properties remain in compliance with approved plans.
- Assists in development and presentation of educational materials to increase awareness and compliance of the City's environmental programs and regulations.
- Assists in City's efforts to identify and document locations of protected/ endangered species and species of special concern and their habitats.
- Assist other departments, including Parks & Recreation and Public Works, in protecting critical habitat and species on public property.
- Coordinates with various entities to identify lands appropriate for conservation.
- Performs other technical work as may be required to further the City's environmental goals and policies and regulations in the City's Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development Code.
(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)
- Knowledge of Southwest Florida's environmental conditions, habitats, constraints, and opportunities.
- Knowledge of national, state, and local environmentally related laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations.
- Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of environmental management and fieldwork.
- Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data, prepare reports, and understand and apply rules, regulations and policies relating to environmental programs.
- Ability to work independently, quickly, and accurately under stressful conditions.
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff in other City agencies and Departments, other governmental entities, elected officials and the general public.
- Ability to work in a variety of climate conditions and terrains.
- Skilled in operating equipment pertinent to area of assignment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working Conditions:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to changing goals, priorities, and needs.
Work typically requires moderate exposure to one or more disagreeable conditions (i.e., irate customers, outdoor weather conditions, excessive noise, extreme heat, odors, or dust).
Risk/Safety Conditions:
This position requires minimal exposure or risk to physical health and/or physical safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, etc.)
Physical Activities:
The work is sedentary work: exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Additional requirements include balancing, bending, climbing, crouching, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.
(Occasional=1-3 Hrs.; Frequent=3-5 Hrs.; Constant=5-8 Hrs. – Per Workday)
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Natural or Environmental Sciences, Biology, Environmental Planning, or a closely related field.
- Minimum two (2) years of experience in a related environmental field.
(A comparable amount of relevant training, education and/or experience may be substituted for the above qualifications.)
Licenses and Certifications:
- Valid Florida Driver's License required.
Emergency Response Responsibility
Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.
Veterans Preference Statement
The City of North Port, FL is an Affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans’ Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.
Salary : $51,489 - $82,383
