Requisition No: 798534
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT – 37010872-Div of Env Asmnt & Restoration 1
Position Number: 37010872
Salary: $4,073.04 Monthly, commensurate with experience
Posting Closing Date: 04/25/2023
Environmental Consultant
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 Consultant, 37010872, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s TMDL section in Tallahassee, FL, and will be responsible for developing TMDLs for impaired waters in Florida. This position will analyze water quality data to identify driving factors that have cause water quality degradation. The primary responsibility of this position is setting up and utilizing existing models representing the flow and water quality in the watershed and receiving waterbody. Present at public meetings and lead project development from the data gathering phase to the rulemaking phase. Act as a technical expert on matters related to impairments and modeling. Review technical proposals including WQBELs, SSACs, and draft permits.
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:
$4,073.04 Monthly, commensurate with experience
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This advanced environmental position acts as technical expert in performing highly professional and specialized work on water quality/quantity aspects of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and/or Mixing Zone Limitations. This work includes investigation of the behavior, fate, and impacts of water quality parameters on surface and ground water quality, preparing and interpreting water quality reports, and assisting water quality studies with state and federal agencies.
Lead project activities including TMDL development, intensive field surveys, Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) development support, and other special projects as required. This includes assisting with the development of a watershed approach in evaluating point and nonpoint contributions to ecological systems.
Reviews and evaluates Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) management and project plans, Minimum Flow and Level (MFL), 319 and TMDL Grand proposals, and consultant contract scope of works related to TMDL development. Supports technical review of special water quality projects and biological assessments, and may be required to be deposed for, and testify at, administrative hearings on these subjects.
Coordinates the activities of professional staff. Coordination includes assigning projects to staff, establishing work priorities, ensuring proper completion of work assignments, training staff, and administrative tasks. Directs staff in the proper procedures for the acquisition of chemical, physical, biological, and meteorological data. Trains staff in the use of various mathematical computer models and the interpretation of model output for water quality assessments, WQBELs, Mixing Zones, and TMDLs.
Participate and work effectively as a leader, facilitator, or member of program or section approved teams. Teams will be created as needed to facilitate completion of tasks related to water quality evaluations. Provides technical guidance to consultants, governmental officials, and citizens regarding applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in the development of water quality assessments, WQBELs and TMDLs.
Performs other duties as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of management principles and techniques:
- Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
- Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
- Skilled in the collection, evaluation, analyses, and interpretation of scientific or technical data.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Skilled in the ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
- Knowledge of biological, chemical, and physical processes as they relate to water quality and the aquatic environment.
- Knowledge and experience in the use of various methods for assessment of surface water quality/quantity data. Includes statistical analysis, graphics preparation and use of state-of-the-art mathematical modeling.
- Ability to deal with the public in a courteous and respectful manner.
- Skill in the ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
- Ability to be adaptable, flexible, resourceful, and to maintain a positive attitude.
- Ability to work effectively and constructively as a part of a team.
- Ability to travel outside of Tallahassee and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental or Natural Sciences and a minimum of 3 years of work experience.
- Valid Driver’s License.
- Travel.
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.