Work for Our Water Resources.

Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Natural Systems and Restoration Bureau 

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), a leader in protecting Florida’s water resources, is seeking an Environmental Scientist to conduct varied levels of scientific and technical work establishing environmental flows (Minimum Flows and Levels, MFLs) for wetlands, lakes, estuarine and flowing fresh water systems. The successful candidate will be proficient in the following: Interpreting and summarizing data; developing related recommendations; performing statistical analysis of hydrologic and/or environmental data; preparing and presenting technical reports to both technical and non-technical audiences; developing scopes of work; negotiating contracts; reviewing and approving invoices; reviewing and approving deliverables.

The District supports employees who prefer a flexible schedule or a remote work schedule so that they can enjoy their time outside of the District through work-life balance. This role is considered hybrid, which means the employee will be required to come on-site for periodic meetings and work a portion of their time remotely (must live in Florida). Come build a career that is challenging, fulfilling, and helps support the District’s mission to protect Florida’s water resources.

District employees are offered an excellent total rewards package that includes:

Starting Compensation:

Staff Environmental Scientist: $46,737.60 - $71,713.21
Senior Environmental Scientist: $50,460.80 - $77,452.67Lead Environmental Scientist: $57,678.40 - $90,000.00

The starting salary range for the Environmental Scientist position reflects the minimum to 74.1% of the compensation. The starting salary will be based on the education and experience of the successful candidate. The District conducts annual performance evaluations that may award applicable pay increases based on positive employee performance.

Essential Functions

• Support MFL evaluations and establishments
• Conducts technical review of projects and reports within expected time frames and established requirements.
• Applies knowledge of environmental principles and appropriate analytical techniques to water resource projects.
• Synthesizes environmental data and reports into recommendations for management actions and/or policies.
• Data analysis and evaluation
• Reviews existing environmental data and reports to determine data collection and analysis needs.
• Designs and implements projects to meet data needs.
• Compiles, analyzes, and interprets data and statistical results using statistical and other software (e.g., ArcGIS, Excel, and R).
• Communicates scientific and technical information in various formats such as charts, graphs, briefings, reports, and presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficient in quantitative analysis with experience or applicability to hydraulic habitat modeling using SEFA, HEC-RAS, or PHABSIM.

• Project management
• Performs project management activities including development of contract agreements including scopes of work, timelines, budgets.
• Oversees and tracks contractor task completion, ensures projects stay within scoped budgets and timelines, processes invoices, initiates and terminates projects.
• Communicates with contractors and organizes district staff technical review of deliverables.

Working Conditions

Employee works in a standard office environment. Occasional travel usually during the workday is required. Performs continuous repetitive tasks (to include keyboarding) with one or both hands. Occasionally lifts and carries objects up to 10 pounds. Occasionally requires bending and reaching above shoulder level. May spend time out in the field in remote areas. Possible travel to other offices. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee may be subject to call-in outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including on nights, weekends or holidays, to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.

Required Credentials for Environmental Scientist

Staff Environmental Scientist

• Bachelors degree (or higher) in Environmental Science or related field
• Two (2) years experience in wetlands ecology or related environmental science experience
• Valid driver's license

Senior Environmental Scientist

• Bachelors degree (or higher) in Environmental Science or related field
• Five (5) years experience in wetlands ecology or related environmental science experience
• Valid driver's license

Lead Environmental Scientist

• Masters degree (or higher) in Environmental Science or related field and Seven (7) years experience in wetlands ecology or related environmental science experience OR Bachelors degree (or higher) and Environmental Science or related field and nine (9) years experience in wetlands ecology or related environmental science experience
• Valid driver's license

Application Process

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, the District employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the required District application for the purpose of qualification. Applicants who are within 30 days of graduation, if selected are not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met. 

Additional Details

The primary work location for this position is out of the Brooksville, FL office. This position is eligible for compensatory time for hours worked over 40 hours, in a week.

Travel Required

Yes. Some travel, using District vehicle, within District's coverage area.

Accepting applications until July 9, 2024 at 4:00 PM 

About Us

The District is responsible for managing the water resources for west central Florida which includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions. 

Apply Now

Start and grow your career with the District! The District prides itself on providing a positive work environment that engages and supports our employees through flexible and remote work schedules. We provide and support learning and development for staff at all levels including conferences, association memberships, and formal education. Let us know if you have previous public sector experience that may allow for additional perks! Click on the link to apply.

#WorkForOurWater

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses.

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office Chief, at 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only); or email ADACoordinator@WaterMatters.org. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA. 

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.