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Environmental Officer



Job Details

Environmental Officer

This listing closes on 3/31/2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada).

Employer

City of Boca Raton

Salary

$31.69 - $34.00 Hourly

Location

Boca Raton, FL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

04212

Department

Development Services

Division

Planning & Zoning 15/06201

Opening Date

03/17/2025

Closing Date

3/31/2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

N

.  

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.  

BENEFITS SUMMARY
Full-Time Non-Bargaining Employees

 
ANNUAL LEAVE: Shall accrue prior to an employee attaining permanent status in the classified service, and may be used after six (6) months of employment at the sole discretion of the Department Head, but it shall not be paid out upon resignation or termination unless the employee has attained permanent status (one full year). The maximum accrual is 360 hours.
 
Year of ServiceAccrual
0 to 5 full years8 hours per month
5 to 10 full years10 hours per month
10 to 15 full years12 hours per month
15 full years and over14 hours per month
 
CASH OUT OF ANNUAL LEAVE: Employees who have attained permanent status shall be permitted to cash out up to forty (40) hours of accrued and unused Annual Leave, either in a single lump sum payment or two or more partial payments, each fiscal year.

SICK LEAVE: 8 hours per month. Any hours in excess of 960 will be paid off annually at 50%. Upon retirement, employees with a minimum of 5 years continuous service will receive 50% of sick leave balance. Termination for reasons other than retirement shall be entitled to payment for accrued, but unused sick leave, as follows:
 
Years of servicePercentage
Less than 2 full years0%
2 to 5 full years10%
5 to 10 full years20%
10 full years or more30%
Retirement (normal, early or disability)50%

HEALTH INSURANCE (Premiums): Employee Medical (Base Plan) - Paid 100% by City. Employee contributions are required for the buy up employee coverage plans. Employee Dental (DHMO or Basic PPO Plan) & Vision (Basic Plan) paid 100% by City. Employee contributions are required for the Employee + Dependent(s) for the Medical, Dental, & Vision Plan.

CONTINUOUS SERVICE BENEFIT: As of December 1 each year - Paid during the month of December.
 
Year of ServiceBenefit
5 to 10 full years$600 annually
10 to 15 full years$800 annually
15 full years and over$1,100 annually

RETIREMENT PLANS: The two pension/retirement options are listed below:
  • An option to enroll in a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. The Defined Contribution Retirement Plan will not require a mandatory contribution. The City will contribute seven (7%) percent of the annual base wages annually. The vesting period for this plan shall be one (1) year from date of hire in the classified service, which coincides with your one-year probationary period.
  • An option to enroll in a Defined Benefit Retirement Plan option is available. There is a ten (10) year vesting period with a multiplier of 2.00% at normal retirement and a mandatory seven and three-quarters (7.75%) percent employee contribution.
  • The two (2) options will be fully explained prior to an irrevocable selection.
Optional: 457 Deferred Compensation Savings Plan is available.

HOLIDAYS: 15 per year: 12 recognized holidays and 3 floating days which are allocated for the fiscal year beginning October 1, to all 8 hour per day employees. Employees hired between October 1 and March 31 shall receive 3 floating holidays. Employees hired between April 1 and September 30 shall receive 1.5 floating holidays. Floating holidays must be used within the fiscal year. Non-task employees working 10-hour days receive 10, 10-hour paid holidays but do not receive floating holidays.

FUNERAL LEAVE: Up to 3 workdays - In State; Up to 5 workdays - Out of State

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Full-time employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement as outlined in the City’s Tuition Reimbursement Policy which is available in Human Resources and subject to the availability of departmental funds.

MILITARY LEAVE: Members in military reserve units who attend annual training are entitled to paid leave not to exceed 30 days each calendar year.

EAP: Employees, spouses, and eligible dependents have access to five (5) face-to-face sessions with a counselor through Cigna's Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  Services include assistance with legal, financial, parenting, elder care, pet care, and identity theft.

01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?
  • Yes
  • No
02
What is your highest level of education you have completed?
  • Less than High School
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelors Degree or higher
  • Masters Degree
  • Doctoral Degree
03
Do you possess a valid Florida Class "E" Driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No
04
Do you have three (3) years of full-time experience in environmental science, horticulture, forestry, or related field?
  • Yes
  • No
05
Please briefly summarize your previous experience in environmental science, horticulture, forestry, or related field. This experience must be clearly listed on your application work history. NOTE: "See Resume" will not be considered as a valid response. If you have no previous experience, please state "N/A"
06
Do you possess certification(s) from the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (F.A.C.E)?
  • Yes
  • No
07
If yes, please list what certifications you currently hold from the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (F.A.C.E). If none, please input N/A. Please note that if you do not currently hold F.A.C.E. certifications, you will be required to obtain them within one (1) year of employment.
08
Do you hold a certification from Landscape Inspectors Association of Florida?
  • Yes
  • No
09
Do you have the ability to obtain certification from the International Society of Arboriculture; Landscape Inspectors Associations of Florida Inc., and become a Florida Certified Nursery Professional within one (1) year of employment?
  • Yes
  • No
10
To be considered for employment with the City of Boca Raton, applicants must provide at least ten (10) years of continuous history. Did you account for the last ten (10) year period including all employment, periods of inactivity, school and/or retirement?
  • Yes
  • No

* Required Question

Employer
City of Boca Raton
Phone
561-393-7805
Website
http://www.myboca.us
Address
201 W. Palmetto Park Road

Boca Raton, Florida, 33432

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