Requisition No: 801060
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I – 37010861
Position Number: 37010861
Salary: $32,655.81 – $37,500.00 (Commensurate with experience)
Posting Closing Date: 05/16/2023
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I – 37010861
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Waste Management
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 I position performs project management under the Waste Cleanup Program’s CERCLA Site Screening Section for assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites.
The Difference You Will Make:
This position will work to ensure that DEP is meeting Cooperative Agreement commitments, coordinating with EPA, DEP District offices, contractors and a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
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:
Tallahassee – Tallahassee, Florida’s Capitol City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.
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:
Salary: $32,655.81 – $37,500.00 (Commensurate with experience)
Your Specific Responsibilities:
In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the Department’s Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position. Participation in the Department’s Medical Monitoring Program and OSHA Safety Training for subsequent authorization for on-site work at hazardous waste disposal sites is required.
- Prepares Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) site screening reports {Pre-CERCLIS Screening Assessment (PSA), Abbreviated Preliminary Assessment (APA) Checklists and Preliminary Assessment (PA) Checklists, and review of contractors’ Site Inspection (SI) Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) and SI Reports and oversight during SI fieldwork activities, and prepares electronic reference packages and Hazardous Ranking System (HRS) Quick-score packages for EPA as required, and for State Cleanup section as requested.
- Conducts “peer review” of reports for other team members.
- Prepares owner notification letters, site status letters, site access request letters and secures site access agreements for CERCLA site screening activities performed by the Department and its contractors; coordinates work plan meetings with DEP-CERCLA group and the contractors; reviews contractor Work Plans & QAPPs and analytical request forms for EPA’s laboratory (when a Florida-certified laboratory is unavailable).
- Coordinates and oversees CERCLA site screening fieldwork with one or more of the following: EPA, contractors, Districts, potential responsible parties to ensure that: (1) necessary personnel have been notified and that all site-related activities have been addressed so site fieldwork can be conducted on schedule; and, (2) fieldwork meets the needs of the Department and is consistent with field audit criteria, the cooperative agreement, Work Plans & QAPPs and Site Health and Safety Plans, and is in accordance with Ch. 62-780, FAC and EPA assessment and cleanup requirements. Employee also assists with the performance of field sampling utilizing specialized sampling and analytical equipment.
- Review of completed contractor reports. This involves evaluating chemical, biological, geological, hydrogeological, and engineering data and data summaries to determine compliance with Department & EPA rules and regulations, as well as ensuring accuracy and completeness. Employee reviews recommendations made by the contractor on reports for approval and makes recommendations to EPA for the future disposition of sites, including the initial and revised/updated HRS Quick-score package.
- Assists with preparation of monthly Commitments Tracking Spreadsheets and quarterly status reports for the current Cooperative Agreement (grant) which are disseminated to EPA Region 4.
- Performs other related work as assigned by the supervisor.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of Florida’s geology & hydrogeology
- Knowledge of relevant EPA & Department rules, regulations, policies and procedures
- Skill in evaluating, analyzing and interpreting comprehensive scientific/technical data
- Skill in writing technical reports effectively, concisely and in a well-organized manner
- Skill in using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Adobe Acrobat and other general office software
- Skill in public speaking & presentations
- Ability to productively manage multiple projects
- Ability to work under pressure & deadlines
- Ability to organize workload & manage time efficiently
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
- Ability to solve problems
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other internal and external professionals
- Ability to work with the public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
- Ability to travel for field work, training & conferences
- Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, environmental science or one of the natural sciences.
- Ability to participate in the Medical Monitoring Program for on-site work at hazardous waste disposal sites is required.
- Must have OSHA Certification or the ability to complete the training for certification within six months of hire.
- A valid Driver License.
Contact Information:
Billy Hessman, Environmental Manager – SES
Waste Cleanup Program/Brownfields & CERCLA Site Screening
Email: Billy.Hessman@FloridaDEP.gov
Phone No.: 850-245-8972
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.