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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 OPS Environmental Specialist I, 37940046, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Biology Program, Bench Biology Laboratory in Tallahassee and will be responsible for preparing and analyzing environmental samples for microbiology and chlorophyll analysis; uploading and verifying data; and performing various quality control tasks. This work provides the department and other resource agencies with the highest quality laboratory services available.
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: In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the Department’s Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.
- Prepare and analyze samples in the bench biology group including but not limited to microbiology and chlorophyll analyses.
- Upload, verify, and authorize data for tests in the bench biology group, including but not limited to microbiology and chlorophyll analyses.
- Maintain logbook bench sheets, quality control charts, maintenance books, and data files.
- Perform QC on laboratory supplies.
- Prepare reagents, standards, and media for sample analysis.
- Perform instrument cleaning, maintenance, and calibration.
- Review and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and quality assurance.
- Clean and organize laboratory workspaces, glassware, and sample containers.
- Perform other duties as required.
- Duties may fluctuate depending on laboratory workload.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of general biology and microbiology.
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences.
- Skill in the use of computers, including Microsoft Office software, internet resources, or other computer programs.
- Skill in use of scientific laboratory equipment.
- Skill in collecting, managing, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data.
- Skill in determining workload priorities and ensuring proper completion of work assignments.
- Ability to participate in sampling for special studies.
- Ability to use QC measures to evaluate accuracy, precision and efficiency of biological methods and ensure high quality data.
- Ability to use laboratory personal protective equipment and work with acids, acetone, and other chemicals.
- Ability to think and work independently, and to work well in a group.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to work at counter height for long stretches of time with periods of frequent movement about the laboratory.
- Ability to work weekends, holidays, and extra daily hours as needed.
- Ability to maintain a valid driver license and travel.
Required or Preferred Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in one of the natural, physical, or environmental sciences from an accredited university or college; or any post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of 4 years.
Other Job Related Requirements for this position:
- Valid Driver License.
- Occasional Travel.
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.
