ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010664

Requisition No: 842505 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010664

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010664 

Salary:  4,377.50 Monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 03/17/2025 

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Environmental Specialist III

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

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 37010664 is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Water Quality Standards Program in Tallahassee. This second level intermediate environmental position serves to assist the DEP quality assurance (QA) coordinator with the implementation of the Department’s QA Management Plan, the DEP QA Policy and the QA rule (Chapter 62-160, F.A.C.) for the water, waste and natural resources programs. The duties of this position involve specialized professional environmental work performing data quality assessment, data interpretation, and related quality assessment activities.  This position requires a technical background in the environmental sciences, with specific focus on QA protocols of environmental measurement systems, as well as well-developed communication skills.

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.

Where You Will Work:

The work location of this position is in Tallahassee (Leon County), Florida. The city hosts the Capital of Florida and seat of state government. The city is home to numerous parks offering outdoor activities, league sports and natural trails for running, hiking and biking. Tallahassee is located just 22 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, which is home to some of the world's top beaches. Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College and several smaller colleges in the region offer a hub for academic research, athletics, art, music and other student activities.

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

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

Pay:

$4,377.50 Monthly

Your Specific Responsibilities:

In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be and abide by the Department’s Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and / or work units’ rules, directives, policies, procedures, and /or general orders applicable to performing the duties of the position.

This second level intermediate environmental position serves to assist the DEP quality assurance (QA) coordinator with the implementation of the Department’s QA Management Plan, the DEP QA Policy and the QA rule (Chapter 62-160, F.A.C.) for the water, waste and natural resources programs. The duties in this position involve specialized professional environmental work performing data quality assessment, data interpretation, and related quality assessment activities. This position requires a technical background in the environmental sciences, with specific focus on QA protocols of environmental measurement systems, as well as developed communications skills.

Coordinates and conducts laboratory and field audits at the request of DEP program areas to determine compliance with QA protocols and specific project requirements, to include preparing audit checklists, audits reports and related documentation, as well as working with audits parties to identify QA problems and implement corrective actions. Ensures that all audits and reports are consistent and in accordance with all QA guidance documents, rules and policies. Prepares audit reports and related documents according to Section deadlines.

Participates in the organization and delivery of QA training activities; including but not limited to, DEP Standards Operating Procedures (SOP) training, data consumer education, and data validation training. Assists in the preparation and /or review of DEP SOP’s and other documents for field and laboratory procedures. Assists in developing and providing guidance to Department staff concerning the creations and review of QA planning documents for DEP programs and projects for regulatory and contracted work, in accordance with established QA procedures, rules and policies.

Functions as a Department- wide consultant on issues concerning the appropriateness and quality of scientific information generated for environmental decision making. Includes interactions with Department program managers, QA officers and technical staff; and with local governments, water management districts, environmental consultants, EPA, other federal agencies, and the regulated public on issues related to field and laboratory procedures, laboratory certification, data quality planning, data assessment, data validation, and database QA management. Performs data validation.

Participates in environmental field sampling, including a wide array of highly sophisticated water chemistry, sediment, and biological parameters, according to DEP SOPs. Assist with the development of sampling methods. Assists in the experimental design and implementation of environment studies.

Writes and edits environmental assessment reports, including data entry into and data retrieval from relevant databases. Assists in the review, evaluation, and interpretation of physical, chemical and biological data and makes recommendations to assist DEP programs.

Performs other related duties as directed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of environmental field sampling protocols.

2. Knowledge of Quality Assurance principles, including laboratory, field, and data validation activities.

3. Ability to write and edit comprehensive environmental assessment reports.

4. Ability to organize workloads, work independently, and solve problems.

5. Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats.

6. Ability to conduct laboratory and field audits.

7. Ability to collect, record, analyze and interpret field and laboratory data.

8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

9. Ability to use computer systems and related software including MS word, MS Excel, and PowerPoint.

Required Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering sciences, chemistry, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, environmental policy, public health, or computer science from an accredited university or college and 2 years of verifiable related experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of 6 years.

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

Valid Driver’s License.

Travel, which may be long days or occasional overnight.

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@FloridaDEP.gov

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. 

Salary : $4,378