Requisition No: 809521
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I – 37011363
Position Number: 37011363
Salary: $3,457.05 Mo. / $41,484.60 Yr.
Posting Closing Date: 08/17/2023
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:
This is an entry level position responsible for processing permit applications and/or conducting compliance inspections for the Department’s Submerged Lands and Environmental Resource Coordination (SLERC) Program. The incumbent will be expected to cross train in multiple program areas (air, waste, and water).
The Difference You Will Make:
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection protects, conserves and manages the state’s natural resources and enforces its environmental laws. Each position works together as a whole to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy.
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:
South District – The South District Office is located in Fort Myers. Fort Myers is popular for its great beaches that line the Gulf Coast, shopping and fishing. Attractions include the historic Henry Ford and Thomas Edison estates, downtown Fort Myers, with its many restaurants and nightlife, as well as nearby Naples and the islands of Captiva and Sanibel. It is a sports enthusiast haven as the Spring Training home of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. The South District covers 8 counties (Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto, Sarasota, Hendry, Glades and Highlands).
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.
To learn more about different DEP career opportunities, visit https://floridadep.gov/adm/hr/content/career-opportunities-0
Pay:
Salary: $3,457.05 Mo. / $41,484.60 Yr.
Your Specific Responsibilities:
Work Product
Ensure work products (file reviews, inspections, site visits, field work, reports, documents, etc.) are accurate, completed timely and entered into the designated database. Reports are to be processed in accordance with established program rules, requirements, and policies.
Duties relate to the administration of the permitting and/or compliance enforcement activities within the Submerged Lands and Environmental Resource Coordination Program applications and/or compliance and enforcement activities pertaining to dredging and filling activities in, on, or over wetlands or surface waters, sovereignty submerged land authorizations, wetland determinations, and mangrove trimming activities, which includes reviewing all data and information to determine compliance with Chapters 403, 373, 253, 258, F.S; Chapters 62-302, 62-330, 62-340, 62-345, 18-18, 18-20, 18-21, of the Florida Administrative Code.
Team Work
Demonstrate support of Department leadership through actions and words when representing the Department. Provide, receive, and act upon both internal and external feedback in a positive manner and respectfully offer constructive counsel to peers, subordinates, and managers. Complete work assignments enthusiastically, with diligence and care. Maintain active and productive participation in meetings and discussions. Identify solutions to problems and provide them along with any innovations to management without creating conflict. Amplify and contribute to the Department strategic goals and values. Arrive to work on-time, appropriately groomed and attired for the workplace, keep a set work schedule, and maintain focus on assigned tasks regardless of outside issues. Positively embrace change, productively and proactively communicate concerns to management, and take personal responsibility for promoting and ensuring organizational success.
Customer Service
Identify and meet the needs of customers in order to provide excellent customer service. Communicates proactively and in a clear consistent manner. The incumbent is expected to be helpful, cooperative, polite, respectful, and concerned at all times in their interactions with customers when representing the Department.
Outreach, Efficiencies, and Cost Savings
Support, participate, and assist in external outreach events (compliance assistance workshops, facility to reduce regulatory burden and enhance relationships with the Department’s stake-holders or general public. Identify potential areas to improve procedures and offer solutions to improve workplace efficiencies.
Training and Safety
Participate and assist with internal training events/activities to gain the essential skills needed to perform job duties. Consistently follow safety protocols and notify management of any potential safety hazards. This includes participating in safety events, job shadowing, on the job training, and team building initiatives as directed by management. Self-advocate for training and partner with appropriate district staff to learn about multiple DEP program areas.
Handles citizen complaints and responds in prompt and effective manner.
Must complete initial OSHA 24-hour HAZWOPER and OSHA 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher annually thereafter.
Employee must adhere to the DEP Snorkeling Policy and Directive 710 and Motor Vehicles/Watercraft Assignment and Utilization Directive 620;
Performs other duties as needed
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
- Ability to perform field biology and water equality sampling techniques; including wading, snorkeling, and traversing difficult wetland terrain in South Florida’s climate.
- Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
- Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
- Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
- Ability to work in a team or independently.
- Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data.
- Ability to prepare technical and programmatic reports.
- Ability to understand and follow legislative policy direction as established in Florida Statutes.
- Ability to deal with the public in tactful and courteous manner.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
- Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
- Ability to perform field inspections including climbing ladders and stairs and walk on slopes.
- Ability to use safety equipment’s.
- Ability to lift 40 pounds over a distance of up to 100 yards.
- Skilled in the use of personal computers, computer programs and various electronic devices.
- Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license and travel overnight when required.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Valid Florida Driver’s License
- A Bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university
- Complete initial OSHA 24-hour HAZWOPER and OSHA 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher annually thereafter.
- Must pass the DEP approved training course and have prior approval to snorkel for the Department. Snorkel as needed. Employee must adhere to the DEP Snorkeling Policy and Directive 710.
- Ability to travel
Working hours: (A) Daily from Monday to Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (B) Total hours in workweek 40 (C) FLEX Schedule. This position is on-site.
To learn more about the DEP South District office, please access the following link: https://floridadep.gov/south
Contact Information:
Amanda Ades
South District DEP
2295 Victoria Avenue, Suite 364
Fort Myers, FL 33902
(239) 344-5652
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.