Environmental Inspections Specialist

JOB SUMMARY
Performs technical, manual, and administrative work protecting Charlotte County’s natural resources including wetlands, listed wildlife species, and native habitats by ensuring that all development within the County is in accordance with all applicable natural resource laws and codes and the Charlotte County Comprehensive Plan. Prepares land acquisition proposals for environmentally sensitive land and creates and implements management plans for listed species and public lands.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Reviews land development permit applications that may potentially affect listed species and native habitats.
• Conducts field surveys of proposed development sites to verify presence/absence of protected species, flora, fauna, and maintains an inventory of listed species and vegetation communities within the County.
• Reviews petitions processed through Community Development: identifies and requests required permits from applicants; and prepares related reports. 
• Reviews all commercial building permits for impact on natural resources: identifies and requests required State and County permits; and reviews and issues other permits as required.
• Assists other County departments and the general public with questions and concerns regarding natural resource permitting and zoning issues.
• Assists applicants in obtaining County, state, and federal development permits involving wetlands, listed species, etc.
• Prepares grants for natural resource protection; monitors and ensures adherence to grant requirements.
• Coordinates the County’s review of jurisdictional agencies’ wetlands and other permits.
• Functions as liaison between private developers and federal, state, and regional permitting agencies.
• Provides exceptional customer assistance, problem-solving, and/or complaint resolution by all forms of communication.

Education and Experience:
An equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree 
  • Preferred:
    • Natural sciences, with emphasis on wildlife ecology and conservation 
• One (1) year of experience in permitting, environmental compliance.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license. 

• Knowledge of departmental policies, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other job-related computer programs and software applications.
• Knowledge of Florida’s native ecosystems, flora, and fauna. 
• Knowledge of operations and practices of local government. 
• Knowledge of the permitting processes utilized by Federal, State, and regional regulatory. 
• Thorough understanding of the principles and practices of land management
• Strong analytical and research skills. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills to include public speaking and the ability to develop effective proposals. 
• Skill in the use of standard office computer equipment and software applications. 
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.
• Skill in the use of office equipment such as a computer, multi-line telephone system, scanner, fax machine, and copier.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and reports. 
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle. 
• Ability to trailer and operate various size vessels.   
• Ability to provide internal/external guidance and customer assistance via all forms of communication.
• Ability to analyze and interpret departmental functions, procedures, and policies. 
• Ability to ascertain priorities and meet deadlines and objectives. 
• Ability to identify common and listed vertebrate and plant species, vegetation communities, and wetlands. 
• Ability to interpret and use aerial photography, GIS, road maps, etc. 
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks with multiple deadlines. 
• Ability to make recommendations and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems. 
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.
• Ability to author reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, service providers, other employees, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception, wading. Frequent lifting of up to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is primarily performed indoors but requires some exposure to environmental changes (e.g., outdoor weather and/or field conditions, warehouses, covered loading docks, garages, etc.) or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, heights and/or dust.

RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS
This position requires some exposure or risk related to physical and/or mental health and safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous materials, heavy equipment, assault and battery, pathogens, etc.).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.  Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. 

Salary : $23 - $31