Requisition No: 810079
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III – 37020309
Position Number: 37020309
Salary: $3,947.58 Monthly
Posting Closing Date: 08/29/2023
Environmental Specialist III
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 III position, 37020309, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Chemistry Program’s Gas Chromatography (GC) Group in Tallahassee. It is responsible for preparing and analyzing environmental samples for priority organic pollutants, pesticides, herbicides, and other related compounds of interest to agency programs. This position is critical to satisfying ongoing demands for analyses necessary to support water quality impairment decisions and providing support for other customers, both within and outside the Department of Environmental Protection.
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:
$3,947.58 Monthly
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This incumbent of this position functions as a Senior Environmental Specialist with the Chemistry Program. This position provides support to Department programs through environmental laboratory services and by consulting on environmental monitoring, assessment, and field activities.
Quantitatively analyzes environmetnal samples utilizing modern laboratory equipment. Prepares and analyzes environmental samples according to accepted laboratory protocols. Maintains proper and complete records pertaining to all laboratory operations. Completes assigned tasks in a timely fashion.
Assists supervisor in reviewing and planning daily work assignments.
Reviews, reports, and interprets analytical results. Approves analytical results that meet the QA/QC requirements of the assigned tests. Adheres to the laboratory quality assurance (QA) plan follows all accepted QA/QC standard operating procedures. Documents all analytical reports and data in accordance with conventional protocol.
Investigates and resolves analytical and technical problems encountered during sample collection, preparation, and analytical procedures. Consults as needed with program representatives on data quality objectives; and resolves any identified problems. Implements and/or modifies analytical methods. Assists supervisor in ensuring that analytical results are legally and scientifically sound.
Purchase, prepare, and coordinate with other chemists in standard preparation pertaining to all GC pesticide tests in accordance with laboratory standard protocols.
Ensures that an adequate inventory of critical supplies is maintained, and initiates purchase requisitions as required.
Exhibits cooperative, positive, and professional attitude when dealing with co-workers, superiors, and the public. Utilizes appropriate safety procedures and equipment at all times. Stores, processes, and/or disposes of chemical wastes in accordance with accepted protocols. Assists in training of new personnel. Attends scheduled meetings punctually. Performs other tasks related to laboratory operations as needed and within projected time frame.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles and techniques of chemical research, analysis, or testing.
- Knowledge of the procedures, techniques and equipment used in laboratory testing and analysis.
- Knowledge of the principles of gas or liquid chromatography.
- Skill in the use of scientific laboratory and field equipment.
- Ability to collect, record and analyze scientific data relating to chemistry.
- Ability to conduct chemical research, tests and analysis using scientific methods and techniques.
- Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to utilize problem solving techniques.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering sciences, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, or physical sciences from an accredited university or college and 2 years of relevant experience; or Masters in listed areas and 1 year of relevant experience; or PhD in listed areas; or 5 years of relevant experience.
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.