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Job Description
The Environmental Officer performs highly technical work related to the enforcement of landscaping and environmental regulations in the City’s Code of Ordinances, land development regulations and related codes such as city, county, state and federal codes. Under the supervision of the Chief Planner, this position is responsible for the review of a variety of land development and environmental applications and permits for completeness and compliance with land development regulations and other code requirements. The Environmental Officer also performs on-site field inspections, issues notices of violations or citations related to environmental and landscaping code violations, and coordinates with city code enforcement to resolve these violations. This role involves a high level of daily communication with applicants, property owners, the general public, and land development professionals, and must demonstrate strong time management and self-direction in their daily duties.
An Environmental Officer must meet all the education and experience requirements, hold required certifications, and have required work experience, as noted below.
Essential Functions
Conducts environmental and landscaping application reviews and inspections as assigned for consistency with applicable codes with guidance from the Senior Environmental Officer and Chief Planner.
Applies landscaping and environmental regulations and codes with occasional guidance from the Senior Environmental Officer and the Chief Planner and makes recommendations for improvement.
Reviews plans and documents for permits and planning, zoning and engineering applications requiring landscaping or alteration of environmentally sensitive lands for compliance with city, county or state codes.
Guides project applicants and stakeholders during the planning, zoning, building, environmental, or engineering application review processes for projects that require environmental or landscaping review.
Prepares comments, reports, development orders, presentation materials and presents findings and recommendations to advisory boards and city council related to landscaping and environmental topics and applications.
May act as a liaison between city, federal and state agencies on environmental issues.
May serve as a staff liaison for the Environmental Advisory Board and prepare agendas and agenda items.
Reviews and approves management plans for environmentally sensitive lands with guidance from the Senior Environmental Officer or Chief Planner.
Understands and utilizes applicable code enforcement procedures as required by Florida Statutes, Chapter 162 and in the City Code of Ordinances with support from City code enforcement.
Manages, investigates, and resolves environmental code enforcement cases in coordination with code enforcement staff, including cases involving development order, and environmental/landscape permit compliance; testifies in legal proceedings as required.
Meets with citizens, city personnel, businesses, contractors, property owners, members of the public, and attorneys to exchange information, initiate negotiation and resolve conflicts and permitting issues.
Writes reports, takes photographs and maintains records regarding inspections and evidence of violations.
Interprets and applies land development code provisions with guidance from the Senior Environmental Officer and Chief Planner and makes recommendations for improvement.
Produces informational materials (print and electronic), approved by the Department, for public distribution in relation to tree and landscape maintenance, and care and protection of environmentally sensitive areas and species.
Responds to technical inquiries from the general public, applicants, and staff regarding all aspects of landscaping and environmental codes, local ecosystems, and plant materials, including plant identifications, culture, pest and disease control, plant selection, landscape suggestions proper tree maintenance, and other related questions.
Maintains various records and files including confidential files, photographs, and evidence of violations and inspections in accordance with the requirements of Florida Statutes.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Modern principles, practices and techniques of horticulture and urban forestry.
- Principles and practices of landscape and tree installation and maintenance, including tree maintenance and arboriculture.
- Florida grades and standards for plant materials.
- A variety of environmental habitats (e.g., coastal and dune ecosystems).
- Applicable city, county, state, and federal environmental and landscaping related regulations.
- Construction practices, techniques, materials, and equipment.
- Engineering plans, specifications, and drawings, including best practices and standard requirements related to landscape plans or drawings.
- Zoning ordinance, building code and related environmental codes.
- General methods and procedures used in code enforcement.
- General surveying and drafting techniques.
- Standard office practices and procedures, procedures, software, and equipment. Business English, spelling, and commercial arithmetic.
- The geography of the city and its zoning districts.
Skilled in:
- Technical reading comprehension - Understanding landscape and environmental plans, schematics, and reports, alongside a basic knowledge of construction documents, site plans, architectural plans, floor plans, and written work-related documents.
- Active listening - giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Service Orientation - providing support and assistance as needed, ensuring inquiries, concerns, and administrative needs are addressed efficiently and effectively.
- Time management - efficiently organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and allocating time for duties.
- Communication - clearly articulates information to non-technical persons and groups to ensure mutual understanding, facilitate the resolution of differences, refer customers to appropriate resources, and help build trust and maintain relationships.
- Communication - strong oral communication and writing skills, including the ability to make effective presentations, communicate in a clear and concise manner with a variety of stakeholders, including the general public, contractors, attorneys, business owners, and government agencies.
- Active learning – continual learning and practice to stay abreast of current code, standards, requirements, local ecosystems and plant materials, as well as evolving technologies.
- Time Management - Efficiently organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and allocating time for duties.
Ability to:
- Identify plant materials commonly used in South Florida.
- Communicate environmental and landscaping related information regarding development application review and regulatory requirement analysis in oral, written and graphic form, including staff reports, public presentations and meetings with external stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively with property owners, contractors, other city employees and the general public.
- Use a computer, including proficiency with relevant software applications, as well as smartphones, cell phone, iPads, and tablets to efficiently complete tasks and communicate effectively as assigned.
- Detect environmental and landscaping code violations and follow standard procedures and guidelines in enforcing code and regulations, including procedural requirements in Florida Statutes, Chapter 162 and the City Code of Ordinances.
- Enforce codes and regulations with firmness and tact.
- Effectively research, organize and analyze numeric, text and graphic data and information on a variety of code compliance related topics, then clearly communicate the results of that research and analysis in oral, written, and graphic form.
- Organize and write reports and maintain paper and computer-based records.
- Use a computer, including proficiency with relevant software applications, as well as smartphones, cell phones, radios, iPads, and tablets to efficiently complete tasks and communicate effectively.
- Accurately read and interpret development orders, conditions of approval and building and zoning plans.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with colleagues, applicants, contractors, and other stakeholders, working collaboratively with staff, and other departments.
Minimum and Preferred Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Three (3) years of full-time experience in environmental science, horticulture, forestry, or related field required.
- Possession of a valid State of Florida Class “E” driver’s license required.
- Two (2) Certification(s) from the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (F.A.C.E) must be obtained within one year of employment.
- Landscape Inspectors Association of Florida (LIAF) certification must be obtained within one year of employment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in landscape plan review, especially plan review using South Florida landscape materials, plants.
- Experience in the enforcement of landscaping or environment regulations, especially in South Florida.
- Academic or applied professional knowledge of South Florida tree and plant materials.
- Certification from the International Society of Arboriculture.
POST OFFER PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:
Final offer and employment are contingent upon successful completion of the following post-offer, pre-employment screening items:
- Criminal Background Check
- Employment Verification
- Motor Vehicles Report (MVR)
- Check Certification/License Verification
- Drug and Alcohol Screen
The City of Boca Raton is an Equal Opportunity, Inclusive, Veteran's Preference Employer and Drug Free Workplace. It is the policy of the City of Boca Raton to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
