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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 III OPS position, 37940238, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Chemistry Program’s Gas Chromatography (GC) Group in Tallahassee. It is responsible for preparing and analyzing environmental samples for priority organic pollutants, pesticides, herbicides, and other related compounds of interest to agency programs. This position is critical to satisfying ongoing demands for analyses necessary to support water quality impairment decisions and providing support for other customers, both within and outside the Department of Environmental Protection.
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.
Your Specific Responsibilities:
- The incumbent of this position functions as a senior Environmental Specialist with the Chemistry Program. This position provides support to Department programs through environmental laboratory services.
- Prepares and analyzes environmental samples according to accepted laboratory protocols. Maintains proper and complete records pertaining to all laboratory operations. Completes assigned tasks in a timely fashion. Assists supervisor in reviewing and planning daily work assignments.
- Reviews, reports, and interprets analytical results. Approves analytical results that meet the QA/QC requirements of the assigned tests. Adheres to the laboratory quality assurance (QA) plan and follows all accepted QA/QC standard operating procedures. Documents all analytical reports and data in accordance with conventional protocol.
- Investigates and resolves analytical and technical problems encountered during sample collection, preparation, and analytical procedures. Consults as needed with program representatives on data quality objectives; and resolves any identified problems. Implements and/or modifies analytical methods. Assists supervisor in ensuring that analytical results are legally and scientifically sound.
- Purchases, prepares, and coordinates with other chemists in standard preparation pertaining to all GC pesticide tests in accordance with laboratory standard protocols.
- Ensures that an adequate inventory of critical supplies is maintained, and initiates purchase requisitions as required.
- Exhibits cooperative, positive, and professional attitude when dealing with co-workers, superiors, and the public.
- Utilizes appropriate safety procedures and equipment at all times. Stores, processes and/or disposes of chemical wastes in accordance with accepted protocols. Assists in training of new personnel. Attends scheduled meetings punctually. Performs other tasks related to laboratory operations as needed and within projected time frame.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles and techniques of chemical research, analysis or testing.
- Knowledge of the procedures, techniques and equipment used in laboratory testing and analysis.
- Knowledge of the principles of gas or liquid chromatography.
- Skill in the use of scientific laboratory and field equipment.
- Ability to collect, record and analyze scientific data relating to chemistry.
- Ability to conduct chemical research, tests and analysis using scientific methods and techniques.
- Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to utilize problem solving techniques.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering sciences, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, environmental policy, public health, or computer science from an accredited university or college; and two years of relevant experience; or post-secondary degree or 6 years of relevant experience.
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.
