Requisition No: 804561
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I – 37011143
Position Number: 37011143
Salary: $3,185 monthly
Posting Closing Date: 06/15/2023
Environmental Specialist I
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 Specialist I, 37011143, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Water Quality Assessment Program, Northeast Regional Operation Center in Jacksonville will be responsible for performing biological assessments and surface water quality monitoring in freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems, data entry, and data accuracy reviews on all data collected. This position supports DEP’s mission by collecting accurate data that is used to protect and restore the quality of the state’s surface waters.
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 Jacksonville (Duval County), Florida. This city is centered on the banks of the St. Johns River, about 25 miles south of the Georgia state line. Jacksonville is adjacent to the Atlantic coast and has 1,100 miles of shoreline. It is home to the largest urban park system in the nation, with 80,000 acres of parks, including 7 State Parks, 2 National Parks, a National Preserve, 400 City Parks and Gardens and an Arboretum with focus on protecting, teaching, research, collection, public education, and recreation. University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, and Edward Waters College are a few of the colleges located in the region which offer a hub for academic research, art 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: $3,185 monthly
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This entry level environmental position performs basic biological assessment and water quality sampling in freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems for the Water Quality Assessment Program. Water quality sampling is conducted on both surface and groundwater. Biological assessments may include taxonomic analysis of freshwater, estuarine and marine flora, and fauna. Completion of DEP training and some bioassessment certifications are required to conduct water quality data collection and specialized floral and faunal biological assessments, including the Stream Condition Index, Biorecon, Lake Vegetation Index, Rapid Periphyton Survey, Linear Vegetation Survey, and Stream and Lake Habitat Assessments. Assists with the implementation of water quality monitoring plans and logistical coordination with the regional manager. Performs logistical planning in coordination with other personnel for field sampling events using GIS, internet, mapping programs, databases, and other available sources. Performs basic field reconnaissance as needed prior to sampling events.
Provides basic technical assistance to the local DEP District with sampling and other monitoring or bioassessment needs. Conducts complaint investigations as requested for non-point source or point source related water pollution violations, such as fish kills, algae blooms, reports of odor, foam. These activities should be coordinated through the regional manager and prior approval should be acquired. Responds in a timely manner to inquiries from the public, the media, and elected officials, per established agency guidelines and procedures. Provides action item reply within required timeframes. Attends program training as necessary. May assist in the training of newer personnel as necessary.
Performs data accuracy reviews on all data collected. Enters and/or uploads biological, physical, and chemical data into various data storage and retrieval systems. Assists with data analysis and the production of scientific reports to evaluate and interpret biological, chemical, and physical data for surface water environments. Assists with the research and organization of local information pertinent to reports and collates that information into the reports as instructed by supervisor or other DEAR management.
Organizes and maintains equipment and other sampling gear. This includes organization of field projects, keeping inventory of coolers, kits and supplies needed for projects, cleaning of laboratory space, vehicles, and equipment. Performs maintenance or facilitates maintenance on sampling equipment.
Boat and trailer certification safety training is required. Snorkel as needed.
Performs other duties as required and as necessary.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data
- Ability to understand and interpret applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Skill in operating small powerboats.
- Ability to use personal computers.
- Ability to prepare technical reports.
- Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to deal with the public in a courteous and respectful manner.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to work independently with general supervision and as part of a team.
- Ability to be adaptable, flexible, resourceful and to maintain a positive outlook.
- Knowledge of terminology, principals, and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences.
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and sampling techniques for measuring surface water quality.
- Ability to perform field biology and water quality sampling techniques, including wading, snorkeling, and traversing difficult wetland terrain.
- Knowledge of water quality field instruments.
- Ability to maintain a valid Class E Florida driver’s license and travel or drive long distances.
- Ability to maintain or complete training on functional use of ESRI GIS software, MS Office software; Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and DEP proprietary software; SBIO, LIMS and the Report Tracker.
- Ability to complete complicated or repetitive tasks accurately and efficiently as well as carry 40-pounds while walking ten minutes (100yards) over uneven terrain.
- Ability to become Habitat Assessment (HA), Stream Condition Index (SCI), Lake Vegetation Index (LVI), Rapid Periphyton Survey (RPS), and Linear Vegetation Survey (LVS) certified.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, or physical sciences from an accredited university or college; OR 2 years of relevant experience; OR enrolled as junior or senior for relevant degree at an accredited university or college and 1 year of relevant experience.
- Travel
- Must possess a valid class E Florida driver license
- Medical Monitoring
- Required to meet the snorkeling requirements in the DEP Underwater Operations
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.