Requisition No: 804478
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT – 37010957
Position Number: 37010957
Salary: $48,876.45 – $56,000.00/annually (Commensurate with experience)
Posting Closing Date: 09/03/2023
Environmental Consultant – 37010957
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
Open Competitive – All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply!!
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 SLERC program is responsible for the consistent implementation of the State 404 and Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) programs statewide. The ERP Program regulates activities in, on or over surface waters or wetlands, as well as any activity involving the alteration of surface water flows. The State 404 Program regulates dredge and fill activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This is a professional environmental position providing programmatic training related to the Environmental Resource Permitting and State 404 Programs and coordinating compliance and enforcement support services. Training duties include preparing or assisting with field, office, or webinar trainings related to the ERP and State 404 programs, as well as other SLERC-related trainings. Additional duties include District Peer review and auditing of ERP and State 404 Program compliance and enforcement activities to insure statewide consistency. Incumbent will identify, as appropriate, potential efficiencies that can be made to these programs for the benefit of the Department or the public. This will include working with subject matter experts where necessary to ensure appropriateness and accuracy of proposed changes. Routine travel is required to training sites, meetings, and conferences. Field training will take place under all types of weather conditions and may involve traversing rough terrain.
The Difference You Will Make:
Water and natural resources are the foundation of Florida’s communities, economy, and way of life. This position plays a critical role in helping to ensure Florida’s resources and populations are protected.
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:
Range: $48,876.45 – $56,000.00/annually (Commensurate with experience)
Your Specific Responsibilities:
Pursuant to 373.4211, F.S., this position is responsible for:
- Ensuring statewide coordination and consistency in the delineation of surface waters and wetlands pursuant to 62-340 F.A.C. by providing guidance and training;
- Represents the state in DOAH and/or circuit court for the purpose of consistent interpretation and application of 62-340 F.A.C.;
- Identifying and obtaining GPS documentation of the wetland of the wetland reference sites. as provided by The Florida Wetlands Delineation Manual to ensure statewide wetland delineation consistency in both the public and private sector;
- Providing briefings and information to individual legislators and legislative committees regarding wetland and surface water delineation;
- Providing consultation and performing site inspections as needed for the evaluation of special projects at the request of the Secretary, Division Director, Deputy Director or Program Administrator;
- Providing training related to the ERP and State 404 programs;
- Providing consultation and coordination with District Peer review requests for ERP and State 404 Program enforcement actions to ensure compliance with rule, statute and Directive 923;
- Providing assistance with auditing of ERP and State 404 permits and formal determinations;
- Providing assistance with the State 404 Program Annual Report;
- Receiving and maintaining a Certified Wetland Evaluator status; and
- Performs other duties as required
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of plant species identification, plant community classification, plant community ecology, hydric soil identification, fill dirt identification, mixed/altered soil identification, wetland hydrology, hydrologic field indicator identification, non-wetland surface water delineation, illegal altered sites delineation and legal altered sites delineations;
- Knowledge of physical and natural sciences relative to Florida wetlands, environmental resources and water quality;
- Knowledge of the rules and statutes governing delineation of landward extent of wetlands and surface waters;
- Ability to organize and plan analytical reviews
- Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing
- Ability to provide effective presentations both to the public and to staff.
- Ability to prepare clear, concise, and articulate procedures, rules, letters, and presentations.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Ability to collect, analyze, and synthesize scientific and technical data.
- Ability to understand and apply rules, directives, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines.
- Ability to be detailed oriented.
- Ability to travel as needed to perform wetland delineation training and field work and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A 4-year degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, environmental science or one of the natural sciences and 3-years of related professional experience OR 7-years of related professional experience can substitute.
- A valid Florida driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications:
- Minimum of five years of experience related to the Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) Program (permitting, compliance, enforcement, and state lands) or similar state or Federal dredge and fill program experience
- Experience with Florida’s Delineation of the Landward Extent of Wetlands and Surface Waters rule, Chapter 62-340, Florida Administrative Code
- Experience with Florida’s Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method rule, Chapter 62-345, Florida Administrative Code.
- Experience with the rules and statutes governing the State’s regulatory and proprietary programs
- Ability to represent the Department and provide public outreach.
- Ability to provide effective presentations to staff and the public
- Ability to collect, analyze, and synthesize scientific and technical data.
- Experience with GIS and Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point.
- Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Possess excellent organization and coordination skills
- Possess good training techniques and principles.
- Possess analytical capabilities
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public
- Ability to understand and apply rules, directives, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines
- Ability to be detail oriented
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.