Requisition No: 811601
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I – 37010265
Position Number: 37010265
Salary: $36,750.00
Posting Closing Date: 09/18/2023
Environmental Specialist I
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest District
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:
This is entry-level professional work performing scientific tasks under general supervision within the Cleanup section of the Permitting program of the Northwest District. The job requires skills in applying instructions to accomplish different job functions and a general understanding of scientific principles.
The Difference You Will Make:
Your role as Environmental Specialist is critical to fulfilling our district’s mission of creating strong community partnerships and safeguarding Florida’s natural resources.
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 Northwest District is located along the Gulf Coast. We proudly serve 16 counties in the Florida panhandle including Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington. The Northwest district has three offices located in Pensacola, Panama City and Tallahassee, this position is available at the main Pensacola office located downtown.
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:
Annual salary based on experience – $36,750.00
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This position is responsible for site project management involving compliance, enforcement, and tracking progress of assigned cleanup projects. This position will also be responsible for evaluating impacts of projects and activities provided in geologic, engineering, and hydro geologic assessment plans and reports, monitoring plans and data, and other documentation that has been submitted for public record involving the District’s Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, Cleanup and Petroleum Storage Sections. The incumbent will be expected to:
- Maintain databases for tracking assigned projects.
- Correspond with site owners to assure that required or agreed upon dates are met.
- Meet with site owners to educate and assist with compliance.
- Prepare draft case reports, enforcement documents and correspondence or letter responses for various District supervisors.
- Responsible for a broad range of State and Federal Regulations, for determination of regulatory statues and coordination of compliance and enforcement issues for sites with potential or demonstrated ground water, surface water or soil contamination.
- Develop, prepare, and present technical reports to various district supervisors.
- Coordinate and track the progress of technical reviews tasked to Bureau of Waste Cleanup for the Northwest District projects.
- Responsible for effectively communicating technical issues.
- Provide technical assistance for the water quality aspects of the waste management programs authorized by Chapter 376 and 403, Florida Statutes.
- Represent the Department in meetings involving technical soil and water quality issues for the District’s Waste Management Program.
- Conduct field reconnaissance and site surveys.
- Requires that the incumbent have 24 hours of safety training as required by OSHA 1910. L ZO(E) and subsequent annual 8-hour refresher training.
- Occasionally participate in training workshops and courses related to ground water management and protection issues and policies.
Performs other duties as needed.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license.
- Ability to drive and travel, including some overnight.
- Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
- Ability to communicate in a tactful and courteous manner both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to effectively collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data.
- Ability to follow direction and policy.
- Ability to demonstrate personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability.
- Ability to physically conduct field inspections/investigations that may involve working outdoors for extended periods of time in temperatures and weather conditions typical of Florida and navigating areas with rough terrain.
- Skill in determining work priorities to ensure timely completion of work assignments without close supervision.
- Skill in maintaining effective and productive working relationships with others.
- Skill in dealing with conflicts, confrontations, and disagreements in a positive manner.
- Skill and proficiency in computer operations and programs such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint and Outlook.
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
- Knowledge of field sampling techniques for soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Valid Driver’s License
- A 4-year degree or higher, or 4 years of related work experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher with a major in engineering, environmental science, or one of the natural sciences.
- Excellent communication and people skills.
- Excellent organization and time management skills.
For questions regarding this position please contact: Monica Hardin, Environmental Manager at Monica.Hardin@Floridadep.gov
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.