Requisition No: 813049
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT – 37011174
Position Number: 37011174
Salary: $4,362.23 Monthly
Posting Closing Date: 11/02/2023
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, 37011174, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Water Quality and Restoration Program, Watershed Planning and Coordination Section in Tallahassee, and will be responsible for coordinating activities associated with implementing the state’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)/Watershed Management Program. The incumbent has the responsibility of handling various assignments, and representing the Program, as necessary, in both internal and external meetings. The incumbent deals with a variety of tasks and must use independent judgement and problem-solving skills to successfully accomplish the job. Critical thinking and highly effective communication and interpersonal skills are a must for this position.
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: $4,362.23 Monthly
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This is an advanced professional position coordinating activities associated with implementing the state’s Total Maximum Daily Load/Watershed Management Program. Duties and responsibilities include assessing information and preparing watershed reports; recommending additional data collection; analyzing and interpreting data to determine aquatic ecosystem health; assisting development of TMDLs; and developing and implementing watershed restoration management plans. This program relies on partnerships and close coordination with managers and technical staff of the Program; Division; Department; Water Management Districts; local, state, regional and federal agencies; the public, and the regulated community. This position is specifically responsible for guiding development of nutrient source inventories and TMDL implementation plans. This responsibility requires extensive public contact and creating effective working partnerships with watershed stakeholders. Strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of the principles of watershed management are used to perform the following duties:
Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) Development: Works with Department staff and stakeholders to establish locally supported nutrient source inventories and BMAPs. This includes organizing meetings, leading discussions, preparing agendas, background papers, maps, tables, presentation materials and other documents and materials, and coordinating with TMDL and BMAP development contractors to provide a basis for stakeholder decision-making in developing BMAPs. Formulates basin-specific approaches to stakeholder participation in developing BMAPs. Contacts stakeholders individually by phone, e-mail, or other means, including follow-up with stakeholders to ensure that minutes, action items, and other tasks are completed. Ensures that Program and District Office staff are informed of and involved in TMDL/BMAP development processes. Manages projects, particularly with respect to projects supporting BMAP development. Prepares draft nutrient source inventories, BMAPs or BMAP sections that reflect stakeholder input. Ensures proper coordination in the Department and among stakeholders in BMAP drafting and review and in securing local acceptance, Department approvals, and Secretarial adoption of BMAPs.
Stakeholder Involvement and Coordination: Assists Program staff in coordinating activities with stakeholders, such as in securing stakeholder reviews of nutrient source inventories or draft BMAPs. Prepares informational materials for use by the public and internally; develops maps, tables, calendars, templates, and other documents to strengthen stakeholder support and participation in plan development and other stakeholder processes. Works with stakeholders to organize workshops and briefings and makes presentations to local officials, the public, and other interested parties. Organizes and participates in specific basin stakeholder meetings and assists other Basin Coordinators in organizing and conducting local decision-making processes.
Plan Monitoring and Reporting: Assures that BMAP implementation meetings and reporting requirements are carried out as identified and scheduled in adopted BMAPs and related plans, such as TMDL Reasonable Assurance Plans. Initiates meetings and other communications with stakeholders and Department staff on the status of actions identified in BMAPs, on water quality results, and on the status of other environmental responses to BMAP implementation. Provides summary progress reports and other information to Program and Division managers on actions identified in approved BMAPs and related plans.
TMDL Program Support: Serves as facilitator, team leader, or member of Program/Section approved teams to ensure completion of assigned tasks. Assists Program managers in identifying and addressing issues and coordination needs. Assists managers in scheduling and monitoring TMDL Program activities and helps Tallahassee and District staff coordinate on such actions as impaired waters listings and TMDL development. Promotes and organizes coordination between DEP and other agencies to strengthen Program implementation. Assists managers in organizing Program retreats, staff training workshops, and other staff development activities.
Other Duties: Assists WMDs, local governments, and federal agencies in incorporating priority water quality improvement projects and budgets in such plans as Florida Forever work plans and watershed restoration plans. Review and comment on WMD Surface Water Improvement and Management Act (SWIM) Plans, Best Management Practice (BMP) manuals, and other efforts related to both urban and agricultural nutrient source protection. Assists in the development and implementation of financial assistance agreements for water quality restoration projects.
Performs other related duties as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of principles of surface and groundwater hydrology
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
- Knowledge of principles of hydrogeology, including karst systems
- Knowledge of applied statistical methods for water quality assessments
- Knowledge of and skill in working in a team environment with others to achieve a task.
- Skill in using MS-Office, ESRI GIS software, and various modeling tools
- Ability to evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data
- Ability to understand and apply applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures relating to land and water resource management program activities.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
- Ability to create effective working partnerships with watershed stakeholders.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
- Ability to work well as a team member, and direct the outcomes of environmental projects
- Ability to solve problems and effectively make decisions.
- Ability to work independently and as part of team.
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Ability to prepare technical reports
- Ability to successfully complete training for Florida Certified Contract Manager designation
- Ability to travel outside of Tallahassee.
- Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license
Minimum Qualifications:
- Travel.
- Valid Driver’s License.
- A bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering sciences, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, or environmental policy from an accredited college or university; and
three years of verifiable related experience; or Any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of seven years.
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.