Requisition No: 812515
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I – 37020729
Position Number: 37020729
Salary: $3,185.00 Monthly
Posting Closing Date: 09/20/2023
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, Position 37020729, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Biology Program, Bench Biology Section in Tallahassee and will be responsible for analyzing environmental samples for microbiology and chlorophyll analysis; verifying and uploading; and performing quality control tasks. This work provides the department and other resource agencies with the highest quality laboratory services available.
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:
$3,185.00 Monthly
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.
As it pertains to the environmental protection of the State of Florida, this intermediate level Environmental Specialist will perform these duties for the Biology Program:
Conduct sample preparation and analysis for tests in the bench biology group including but not limited to chlorophyll and microbiology.
Serve as coordinator for the bench biology group. Assist manager with distributing workload, assist analysts with troubleshooting, and oversee all quality control tasks.
Upload, verify, and authorize data in the bench biology group including but not limited to chlorophyll and microbiology.
Review and maintain logbook bench sheets, quality control charts, maintenance books, and data files.
Prepare reagents, standards, and media for sample analysis.
Perform instrument cleaning, maintenance, and calibration.
Assists in maintenance of quality assurance for the bench biology group. Review and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and quality assurance.
Oversees staff training. Assesses group needs, advises individual training plans to manager, and serves as senior trainer. Sets up, analyzes, and documents all initial and continuing demonstration of capability (DOC) results.
Serves as principle scientist on special studies, method development, and instrument validation. Assists in producing technical reports and presentations. Prepares the lab for internal and external audits and serves as technical lead.
Clean and organize laboratory workspaces.
Perform other duties as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles and techniques used in biological research, analysis or testing.
- Knowledge of microbiology, particularly regarding environmental factors.
- Knowledge of biological and laboratory QA/QC principals and methods.
- Ability to collect, record, and analyze scientific data relating to the biological sciences.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to communicate effectively complex technical information, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to coordinate other staff members and organize workload efficiently.
- Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, and ensure timely completion of multiple concurrent assignments.
- Ability to review work for accuracy and quality of content.
- Ability to work at counter height for long stretches of time with periods of frequent movement about the laboratory.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license and travel.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Valid Driver’s License.
- Bachelor’s degree in one of the natural, physical, or environmental sciences from an accredited university or college and 2 years of relevant experience OR Master’s in listed areas and 1 year of relevant experience OR PhD in listed areas OR 5 years of relevant experience.
- Travel.
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.