Requisition No: 799857
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III – 37020736 1
Position Number: 37020736
Salary: $3,759.60 monthly
Posting Closing Date: 04/25/2023
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:
The Environmental Specialist III, 37020736 is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Watershed Assessment Program, Watershed Monitoring Section in Tallahassee and will be responsible for the oversight of projects associated with the Watershed Monitoring Section (WMS) and specifically serves as a liaison to Regional Operation Center staff. This position ensures water quality sampling is conducted following departmental protocols so that the condition of Florida’s water resources may be reported with known confidence.
The Difference You Will Make:
Water and natural resources are the foundation of Florida’s communities, economy, and way of life. The Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) is charged with protecting, maintaining, and improving the quality of Florida’s springs, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. DEAR team members provide the department and other resource agencies with the highest quality laboratory services available; provide technical support to the department and the public regarding water quality analysis and data quality assurance (QA); manage water quality data repositories for data storage and use by the department, other agencies and the public; and work together to monitor and assess Florida’s surface water and groundwater quality, develop strategies to reduce pollution, and work closely with local stakeholders to implement comprehensive restoration strategies that improve the lives of all Floridians and preserve aquatic resources for generations to come.
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 work location of this position is in Tallahassee (Leon County), Florida. The city hosts the Capital of Florida and seat of state government. The city is home to numerous parks offering outdoor activities, league sports and natural trails for running, hiking, and biking. Tallahassee is located just 22 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, which is home to some of the world’s top beaches. Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College, and several smaller colleges in the region offer a hub for academic research, athletics, art, music, and other student activities.
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:
$3,759.60 Monthly
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This intermediate environmental position is responsible for the oversight of projects associated with the Watershed Monitoring Section (WMS) with a focus on coordination of Status and Trend network sampling operations within Florida, specifically serving as a liaison to the FDEP Regional Operation Center staff. The position will require occasional overnight travel.
Duties and Responsibilities include:
Oversight of program requirements for sample collection, reviewing data generated by the lab and from field operations, and coordinate with data managers in updating the WMS’ databases. Oversight and troubleshooting with regional teams, provides sample results notification to landowners and other designated data users, and performs other related duties as required. Provides support for sample site selection, mapping review and other needs. Participates in field quality assurance (QA) audits with section Quality Assurance officer as needed.
Acts as contact and liaison to the Florida Water Resources Monitoring Council (FWMRC). Manages contract for FWMRC facilitator. Participates and works effectively as a member of Water Quality Assessment Program (WQAP) or section approved teams. These teams seek to improve the effectiveness of the operation of the section or Program within the Division.
Assists WMS staff preparing reports and summaries. Helps coordinate and provide data summaries for the generation of EPA and other reports as required.
Performs other tasks as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of principles of surface and ground water chemical, biological, physical, and hydrological processes relating to water quality
- Knowledge of water resource assessment methods
- Knowledge of SOPs for water quality sampling and bioassessment methods
- Skill in using personal computers and software, including word processing, data management, and spreadsheets
- Skill using MS Office products to prepare, write and edit technical reports
- Skill planning, organizing, and preparing meetings and teleconferences
- Skill collecting, evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting scientific or technical data
- Skill with effective communication, both verbally and in writing
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Ability to interact with other staff and the public in a tactful and courteous manner
- Ability to organize documentation essential for management of the watershed monitoring program
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
- Ability to work well in a team environment with others to achieve a task
- Ability to utilize problem solving techniques
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to understand principles of differentially corrected GPS equipment
- Ability to occasionally travel outside the Tallahassee area
- Ability to maintain a valid Driver’s License
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, or physical sciences from an accredited university or college and 2 years of relevant experience; OR Masters in listed areas and 1 year of relevant experience; OR PhD in listed areas; OR 5 years of relevant experience.
- Travel
- Valid Driver’s 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_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.