Requisition No: 830951 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 42001477 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42001477 

Salary: $40,000.02 

Posting Closing Date: 06/13/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES 

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 

***INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY--
ONLY CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES WILL BE CONSIDERED.*** 

CONTACT:
Taleya Williams, 850-617-7814 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

An associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university or 

Six (6) months of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; agriculture; or engineering. 

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained.Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency. A list of approved agencies can be viewed at “Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education.” Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org) 

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES*** 

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: 

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Occasional travel required. 

NOTES: 

Successful applicants must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment. 

Flextime. 

JOB DUTIES: 

General: The duties and responsibilities for this position are directly related to the agency mission regarding the number of official samples analyzed and analytical tests conducted under F.S. Chapter 487, 576 and 580. This position performs instrumental analysis of fertilizer samples utilizing automated titration systems and performs advanced sample preparation procedures for feed, fertilizer and pesticide samples submitted to the Bureau of Agricultural Environmental Laboratories. This position assists the unit manager by generating various laboratory information management reports such as Sample Backlogs and assists with sample preparation method development projects. This position evaluates laboratory quality control sample recoveries and recommends corrective actions. 

Performs instrumental analysis for Chlorine and Nitrogen in its various forms (Total, Ammoniacal, Water Soluble, Water Insoluble) utilizing advanced automated titration and Kjeldahl systems. Prepares, analyzes and evaluates calibration curve standards to ensure that results produced from the instruments are accurate. Perform Controlled Release Nitrogen analysis studies over 3-7 day cycles which require very precise measurements and close observation. Independently applies appropriate sample preparation procedures according to written standard operating procedures (SOPs), official fertilizer methods, EPA methods, and/or verbal instructions on samples submitted for feed, fertilizer, pesticide residue, and/or pesticide formulation analyses. Utilizes the following sample extraction and clean-up techniques for feed and pesticide samples: liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), soxhlet extraction, solid phase extraction (SPE), and florisil clean-up chromatography. Prepares and dilutes fertilizer samples for various analyses in accordance with SOPs. 
Performs analyses on agricultural liming materials to determine the percent moisture content and particle size fraction. Follows established SOPs for identifying, weighing, riffling, quartering, splitting, screening and distributing feed and/or fertilizer samples. 

Follows all SOPs for receiving samples into the bureau laboratories. Reviews the sample collection information and/or label tags to ensure that the information is consistent with the physical characteristics of the samples. Follows all applicable special handling requirements as stated in the fertilizer and pesticide sample receiving SOPs. Initiates Nonconformance reports, Exception reports or Corrective Action reports and submits them to section supervisor for processing as required. Enters results into the Laboratory Information Management System. Responsible for maintaining an adequate supply of the materials required to perform assigned job tasks. 

Assists in the preparation of analytical reference standards. Helps to maintain current records with regard to standard preparation, dilution, storage, and database archiving of standard information. Prepares and standardizes solutions for Kjeldahl nitrogen analysis.
Verifies acid and base standardization results, evaluates and documents standard acid and standard base results. Follows standard operation procedures to maintain and clean laboratory equipment and glassware. Responsible for following and implementing standard department safety procedures and protocols in the normal course of job duties. Responsible for training personnel in the correct procedure for sample preparation and equipment maintenance. 

Performs other related work as assigned by the supervisor. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of data collection, analysis principles.
• Ability to work independently, plan, organize work assignments.
• Ability to problem solve.

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 visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com. 

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.” 

SPECIAL NOTES:

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.