Requisition No: 850465
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37010668
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 37010668
Salary: $4,291.67 - Monthly
Posting Closing Date: 04/18/2025
Total Compensation Estimator
Tool
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 create strong community
partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its
ecosystem.
The Work You Will Do:
The Environmental Specialist II, 37010668 is in the Division of
Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s, Southeast Regional Operation
Center (ROC), located in Fort Pierce and will be responsible for water
quality sampling in freshwater and estuarine ecosystems as well as ground
water wells, and performing biological assessments of streams and lakes.
Duties for this position also include records management, calibration of
field meters and maintenance of other field equipment. This position
enables DEAR/Southeast ROC the capability to accomplish monitoring goals of
Strategic Monitoring Plan, Status and Trend Monitoring Networks, other
special projects as well as respond to public concerns related to water
quality of surface waters.
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 Fort Pierce (St. Lucie County),
Florida. The city is on the southeast coast of Florida. It is a diverse
community with miles and miles of unspoiled shoreline. It offers
fascinating research centers and museums, excellent community services, a
wealth of cultural and recreational attractions and educational and
research facilities, such as Smithsonian Marine Station and Manatee
Observation and Education Center. Florida Atlantic University and Indian
River State College located in the region offer a hub for academic
research, art 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:
$4,291.67 Monthly
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This intermediate environmental position performs biological assessment and
water quality sampling in freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems for
the Water Quality Monitoring Program. Water quality sampling is conducted
on both surface and groundwater. Biological assessments may include
taxonomic analysis of freshwater, estuarine and marine flora, and fauna.
Completion of DEP training and pass status of audits are required to
conduct water quality data collection and specialized floral and faunal
biological assessments. Performs logistical planning in coordination with
other personnel for field sampling events using GIS, internet, mapping
programs, databases, and other available sources. Performs office and
field reconnaissance as needed prior to sampling events.
Performs data accuracy reviews on all data collected following QA/QC
protocols. Enters and/or uploads biological, physical, and chemical data
into various data storage and retrieval systems. Assists with reporting of
biological, chemical, and physical data for surface water environments.
Provides technical assistance to the local DEP District with sampling and
other monitoring or bioassessment needs. Conducts complaint
investigations as requested for non-point source or point source related
water pollution violations, such as fish kills, algae blooms, reports of
odor, foam. Responds in a timely manner to inquiries from the public,
the media, and elected officials, per established agency guidelines and
procedures. Provides action item reply within required time frames.
Attends programmatic training as necessary. Assists in the training of
newer personnel as necessary.
Organizes and maintains equipment and other sampling gear. This includes
organization of field projects, keeping inventory of coolers, kits and
supplies needed for projects, cleaning of laboratory space, vehicles, and
equipment. Performs maintenance or facilitates maintenance on sampling
equipment.
Snorkeling may be required. Participation in Boater safety training is required.
Performs other duties as required and as necessary.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
-
Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or
technical data.
-
Ability to understand and interpret applicable rules, regulations,
policies, and procedures.
- Skill in operating and trailering small powerboats.
- Skill with the use of personal computers.
- Ability to prepare technical reports.
-
Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work
assignments.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
-
Ability to deal with the public in a courteous and respectful manner.
-
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
others.
-
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a
team.
-
Ability to be adaptable, flexible, resourceful and to maintain a positive
outlook.
-
Knowledge of terminology, principals, and analytical techniques of the
physical and natural sciences.
-
Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and sampling techniques for
measuring surface and ground water quality.
-
Skilled in water quality sample collection techniques that include wading,
snorkeling, and traversing difficult terrain.
- Knowledge of water quality field instruments.
-
Ability to maintain a valid Class E Florida driver’s license and travel or
drive long distances.
-
Ability to maintain or complete training on functional use of ESRI GIS
software, MS Office software; Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and
various data storage and retrieval systems.
-
Ability to complete complicated or repetitive tasks accurately and
efficiently as well as carry 40-pounds while walking ten minutes (100
yards) over uneven terrain.
- Skill in floral and/or faunal biological assessments.
Minimum Qualifications:
-
Valid Class E Florida Driver’s License
.
-
Completion of the boater safety training is required within 9 months of
hire, additional time needed for completion will be at the discretion of
the supervisor.
-
Travel.
-
This position requires medical monitoring and is required to meet the
snorkeling requirements in the DEP Underwater Operations Manual.
-
Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural sciences,
biological sciences, or physical sciences from an accredited university
or college and 1 year of verifiable related work experience; or any
combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related work
experience, as described above, for a total of 5 years.
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.
