Job Location : West Palm Beach,FL, USA
Requisition No: 842778
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37010414
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 37010414
Salary: $4,291.67 monthly; $51,500.04 annually
Posting Closing Date: 12/15/2024
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ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II
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 advance Florida's position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state's economy.
The Work You Will Do:
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II (37010414)
Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration
Everglades Restoration
The primary responsibility of this position includes the inspection of large-scale environmental protection and enhancement civil works projects associated with Everglades Restoration efforts. Will evaluate potential environmental impacts and effects on water quality and surrounding ecosystems which result from Everglades Restoration construction and operations. These projects include reservoirs, impoundments, canals, pump stations, stormwater treatment areas, and other civil works designed to restore the hydrology and ecology of the Everglades ecosystem, an area covering 18,000 square miles. Will provide compliance assistance during permitting, construction, and operation and must build strong working relationships with interagency compliance staff, construction site managers, and related personnel. Field days may require driving long distances and working independently in remote, rural, and outdoor locations in South Florida. The incumbent will be required to work 40-hour work weeks. Longer hours (9-10 Hour days) are frequently required to perform job duties.
The Difference You Will Make:
The Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration is responsible for implementing state laws and directives to protect Florida's water resources and assist with the restoration of the Everglades. The work done in this job will directly impact the aquatic environments within southern Florida and help sustain the state's natural resource treasures. In this job, you will help ensure hundreds of millions of dollars of state funding for Everglades Restoration projects are appropriately tracked, monitored, and expended.
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:
Office of Water Policy & Ecosystems Restoration
Everglades Restoration
3301 Gun Club Road, MSC 7210-1
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
This position is in the mid-sized city of West Palm Beach (WPB) in Palm Beach County. The city is big enough to have an active culture and nightlife, loads of restaurants and interesting attractions, and an active historical preservation commitment. Palm Beach County has the eleventh-largest school system in the USA and there is no state income tax for residents of Florida. Some local recreation opportunities include:
* Award-winning public beaches with warm clear water along the 47 miles of county coastline.
* Golf capital of the world; PGA headquarters.
* Boating and water sports opportunities, miles of living reef and clear water make Palm Beach a SCUBA diving destination and Lake Okeechobee the Bass Fishing Capital of the World. The Palm Beach International Boat Show is one of the top five boat shows in the nation.
* Hiking, biking and canoeing, thirty-five county operated nature areas provide over 30,000 acres to explore, including the Loxahatchee River, Florida's first Federally Designated Wild and Scenic River.
Minimal travel required to perform mission critical duties.
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:
$4,291.67 monthly; $51,500.04 annually
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This intermediate environmental position is responsible for inspection of large scale environmental protection and enhancement civil works projects associated with Everglades Restoration efforts, in accordance with Chapters 403 and 373, Florida Statutes, and all Chapters in Florida Administrative Codes used to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program, and the Everglades Forever Act, including those administered by the Environmental Resource Permitting Program (ERP) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.
This position will evaluate potential environmental impacts and effects on water quality and surrounding ecosystems which result from construction and operations of large-scale civil works projects including reservoirs, impoundments, stormwater treatment areas, and engineering features designed to restore a more natural distribution of water flow, and changes to the existing regional surface water management system of canals and flood control structures.
The position requires the ability to maintain a minimum frequency of site inspections while providing timely follow up correspondence and participation in review of construction and operation deliverables. The position requires the ability to understand and describe the complex, interdisciplinary relationships between water quality, wetlands impact, threatened and endangered species, hydrology, water supply and flood control, engineering, and contaminants issues, and consider and apply nuances associated with State and Federal law.
Field Compliance Inspector: Conduct on-site inspections of restoration projects under construction and operation by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors, to confirm compliance with permits issued by the Department's Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration (OWPER). This position is expected to build strong working relationships with interagency compliance staff, construction site managers, and related personnel. This position is expected to function with minimal supervision and demonstrate aptitude for conducting unaccompanied environmental regulatory field work. This position requires self-directed preparation and study; lengthy days in the field; driving long distances and working independently in remote rural and natural south Florida locations. Provide guidance associated with Best Management Practices, land management, erosion and sedimentation control, water quality monitoring, exotics control, and other techniques to help protect and minimize impacts to surface waters and environmental sensitive areas including wetlands. Maintaining a valid Driver's license is required. Incumbent will responsibly operate state owned vehicles and manage vehicle maintenance requirements.
Interagency Compliance Coordination: The position will represent the Department at interagency and pre-construction contractor meetings in both an office and field setting unless conflicts with scheduled site visits exist. Provides guidance interpreting permit conditions and restoration regulations and policies. Timely processes permit and compliance deliverables. Develops products such as procedures and presentations (Compliance Manual), fact sheets, frequently asked questions, and other aids to help improve compliance for all restoration projects. Effectively coordinates with internal and external agency staff to facilitate communication and ensure timely resolution of issues.
Administrative Record Keeping: Complete written reports, create, organize, and maintain administrative files. Provides oral and/or written reports on inspections. Schedules site visits, tracks compliance deadlines and prepares documents for review within timeframes specified by rules and statutes, section procedural manuals, and supervisor. Updates compliance database, maintains and organizes electronic and hard copy folder of documents and files in an organized manner. Assists with review and tracking, response, and filing of compliance deliverables.
Other: Responsible for proper use and care of state-owned property, attends workshops and trainings associated with duties as required.
Performs other related duties as requested.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
* Federal and State environmental regulations including State water quality standards
Skill in:
* proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to:
* maintain a valid Driver's License and travel as needed
* operate four-wheel drive vehicles to access remote projects
* interpret and evaluate chemical and biological, water quality and ecological data
* delineate and assess wetlands
* calibrate and operate turbidity monitoring equipment
* work independently and on teams
* sustain internal and external constructive working relationships
* effectively communicate verbally and in writing
* determine work priorities and ensure timely completion of high-quality work assignments
Minimum Qualifications:
* Valid Driver's License.
* Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the natural or environmental sciences; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of four years.
* Must pass Florida Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector Training within a year and maintain certification.
* Travel as needed.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Excellent communication and people skills.
* Excellent organization and time management skills.
* Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences.
* Knowledge of environmental planning, regulation, or policy.
* Knowledge of biological, chemical, and physical processes related to the evaluation of proposed activities affecting the greater South Florida ecosystem.
* Ability to effectively speak and represent the Department appropriately in a professional and courteous manner
* Operating four-wheel drive vehicles to access remote projects
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:
...@dep.state.fl.us
...@FloridaDEP.gov
Contact: Samantha Dawson
...@FloridaDEP.gov
561-###-####
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-###-####). 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.
Location:
WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33406 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33407 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33411 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33409 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33413 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33401 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33415 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33418 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33417 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33460 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33410 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33412 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33426 WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33405