Requisition No: 811219
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II – 37020013
Position Number: 37020013
Salary: $40,351.04- $44,000.00/annually (Commensurate with experience)
Posting Closing Date: 09/21/2023
Environmental Specialist II – 37020013
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
Open Competitive – All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply!
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 Environmental Specialist II position performs professional work under the direction of the Environmental Administrator for the Division of Water Resource Management’s Source and Drinking Water Program located in Tallahassee, Florida. The ideal candidate will possess discipline-specific knowledge, leadership and technical skills to promote the sustainability, implementation and efficiency of state and federal laws, rules and regulations related to drinking water.
The Difference You Will Make:
This Environmental Specialist II will assist in implementing the State of Florida’s Drinking Water Program by providing technical assistance, training and assisting with developing policy and technical guidance to ensure consistent implementation across the state. The position also aids and coordinates with the other program areas of the Division and District Offices in pursuit of the overall mission to preserve, restore and protect the water quality of Florida.
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, 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. Boasting proximity to the coast and centrally located to popular tourist destinations, 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:
$40,351.04- $44,000.00/annually (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 Standard of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work rules, directives, policies, procedures and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.
- Assist in implementing the State’s Public Water System Supervision Program (PWSS) in accordance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulations, the Florida Safe Drinking Water Act and Department Rules.
- Coordinates and implements the WIIN (Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation) Grant for Florida’s Lead Testing in Schools Program. Assist and guides the development of outreach information and in developing a Lead Testing in Schools webpage. Coordinates commitments with other state agencies (FDOE & FDOH) and other partners as appropriate.
- Provides technical assistance and training to the Department’s district offices; approves county health departments (ACHDs) that are delegated to administer the State of Florida’s Drinking Water Program.; and to regulate community. Serves as a technical expert in all areas of the SDWA by assisting with developing policy and technical guidance to ensure consistent implementation of the SDWA across the state.
- Assists in research, analyzing, and determining business needs for Information Technology (IT) solutions to enhance the overall activities of the Drinking Water Program. Develops specifications for enhancements and maintenance of the Department’s PWS Oracle database. Assists with Quality Assurance/Quality Control functions related to SDWA data management. Coordinates with government agencies; businesses; and professional interests regarding the use of drinking water treatment technologies to address existing/emerging environmental compliance issues to provide an adequate supply of safe drinking water in Florida.
- Coordinates the development of amendments to the State of Florida’s drinking water rules and data management staff to update and maintain necessary database modifications.
- Provides professional and technical input into rule development, technical guidance documents, policy and position papers. Participates in workgroups assist in developing and implementation of policy and technical guidance to ensure district consistency in permitting, compliance and enforcement activities.
- Technical and GIS duties include determining which data sets can be utilized for projects, the best way to analyze and present data and creating maps to present the results.
- Performs other duties as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of terminology, principles and analytical techniques of environmental engineering as related to potable water treatment and distribution.
- Knowledge of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
- Ability to determine work priorities and delegate tasks.
- Knowledge of Information Management Systems (IMS) technology.
- Ability to develop customized applications.
- Ability to effectively use IMS technology to prepare query and reports.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in-writing.
- Ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental program.
- Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
- Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A valid Driver’s License
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, environmental science or one of the natural sciences and 1 year of related professional experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to conduct overnight travel.
- Knowledge and experience in implementing drinking water, permitting and compliance requirements.
- Experience interpreting and applying environmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
- An understanding of incident command protocols during emergency events.
- Knowledge of drinking water rules.
- Ability to speak publicly and/or conduct training for groups ranging between 15 to 400 people.
- Ability to plan and conduct training sessions.
Persons interested in applying for this position must submit a completed State of Florida Employment Application through the People First System.
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.