Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37021143
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 37021143
Environmental Specialist III - (37021143)
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
“INTERNAL AGENCY ONLY”
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 III position performs professional work within the Division of Water Resource Management’s Operator Certification 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, wastewater, distribution and reuse licensure.
The Difference You Will Make:
The Environmental Specialist III will work with department staff to ensure projects meet the agencies strict standards related to drinking water, wastewater, distribution, and reuse licensure. The Environmental Specialist also works with managers to plan and prioritize activities and projects in line with DEP’s strategic objectives and find integrated solutions on a variety of organizational challenges.
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:
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Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
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Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
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State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
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Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click
www.myfrs.com
);
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Flexible Spending Accounts;
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Tuition waivers;
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And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, visit
www.mybenefits.myflorida.com
.
Your Specific Responsibilities:
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Assists in developing rules and policies related to reuse and industrial pretreatment. Evaluates current rules and policies and recommends modifications as needed. Assists in any necessary rulemaking and policy-making activities for the program. Recommends and drafts legislation and regulations or amendments to existing legislation, and support Program, Division, and Department leadership as needed. Ensures that rules, policies, and legislation are consistent with environmental and economic concerns and with sound wastewater management practices.
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Assists the Environmental Manager with State permitting activities related to reuse and industrial pretreatment. Assists in reviewing documents related to state-issued Advanced Treatment Water Facility permits for consistency with the State permitting program requirements. Assists in the technical review of pretreatment local discharge limitations, plans of studies, reports, and other deliverables. Assists in developing standard permit conditions and testing updates in Permit Builder. Assists with training and providing technical guidance on permitting issues and other aspects of wastewater management.
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Assists the Environmental Manager with outreach to the Department’s regulatory district offices on activities pertaining to reuse and industrial pretreatment and necessary revisions to implement program enhancements.
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Assists with Advanced Treatment Water Facility permitting, and compliance activities related to Advanced Treatment Water Facilities and the industrial pretreatment program. Reviews annual reports submitted by Advanced Treatment Water Facilities, prepares findings based on the annual report and the requirements of the Advanced Treatment Water Facility permit, conduct inspections/audits of Advanced Treatment Water Facilities and industrial pretreatment programs to assure compliance with permit requirements, prepares findings based on the inspections/audits, and conduct compliance and enforcement activities when required.
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Assists the Environmental Manager with developing and updating guidelines and manuals such as the Department’s Florida Guidance Manual for Industrial Pretreatment and the Department’s permit writer’s manual for training department staff. Updates include, but not limited to, new or revised reuse and wastewater statutes, rules, guidelines, and policies. Assists with developing and testing electronic permitting tools.
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Participates in the Department’s Water Tracker call center activities during emergency events.
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As necessary, assists the Operator Certification Program with development and implementation of a new operator license reciprocity program for the Operator Certification Program (OCP) under the direction of the OCP Environmental Administrator.
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Performs other related duties as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Knowledge of state and federal permitting requirements and procedures.
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Ability to work independently and manage technical projects.
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Ability to understand wastewater treatment concepts and principles.
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Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
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Ability to prioritize workload.
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Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
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Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
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Ability to research and understand state, federal, and local wastewater rules and regulations.
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Knowledge of computer-based data retrieval systems.
Required Qualifications:
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A valid Driver’s License.
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A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and 1-year of related professional experience OR 5-years of related professional experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
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A Bachelor’s degree in a science related field.
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Knowledge and experience in implementing drinking water, wastewater, reuse, permitting, licensure, and compliance requirements.
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Experience interpreting, applying and developing environmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
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An understanding of incident command protocols during emergency events.
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Knowledge of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, permitting, and licensurerules.
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Ability to speak publicly and/or conduct training for groups ranging between 15 to 400 people.
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Ability to plan and conduct training sessions.
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Ability to conduct overnight travel.
Other Job Related Requirements for this position:
POSITION OF SPECIAL TRUST REQUIREMENT:
This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.
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@FloridaDEP.gov
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.
