ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37021088

Requisition No: 845781 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37021088

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37021088 

Salary:  $52,530/annually 

Posting Closing Date: 02/13/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III (37021088)

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:

This Environmental Specialist III position performs advanced professional work under the direction of the Program Administrator for the Division of Water Resource Management’s Wastewater Management Program located in Tallahassee, Florida.  The ideal candidate will possess discipline-specific knowledge, and leadership and technical skills needed to promote the sustainability, implementation and efficiency of state and federal regulations related to industrial pretreatment and reuse of reclaimed water

The Difference You Will Make:

The Environmental Specialist III participates in meetings with representatives from the regulated community and federal, state, and local governments; develops reports as required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and assists with other duties as required. The Environmental Specialist II also works with managers to plan and prioritize activities and projects in line with DEP’s strategic objectives and to find integrated solutions to a variety of challenges. DEP fosters an atmosphere for environmental professionals to develop working relationships with various stakeholder groups within the Department and across the state. Being a part of DEP allows you to not only grow professionally but personally while achieving the goal of protecting the State of Florida’s vital natural resources.

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:

Tallahassee - Tallahassee, Florida’s Capitol City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.

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: $52,530/annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The incumbent in this position performs professional work in the Wastewater Management Program under the direction of the Program Administrator, assisting with the coordination of the Department’s pretreatment program (Section 403.064 and 373.250, Florida Statutes).

The duties of the Environmental Specialist III:

• Preforms industrial pretreatment program inspections and audits to ensure compliance with the State and NPDES program requirements.
• Performs the duties as the lead inspector for the pretreatment program. Assists in training pretreatment inspectors on all wastewater rules and policies.
• Assists in developing rules and policies related to reuse and industrial pretreatment. Evaluates current rules and policies and recommends modifications as needed. Assists in any necessary rulemaking and policy-making activities for the program. Recommends and drafts legislation and regulations or amendments to existing legislation, and support Program, Division, and Department leadership as needed.  Ensures that rules, policies, and legislation are consistent with environmental and economic concerns and with sound wastewater management practices.
• Assists the Program Administrator with outreach to the Department’s regulatory district offices on activities pertaining to reuse and industrial pretreatment and necessary revisions to implement program enhancements.
• Assists in reviewing state-issued wastewater facility permits for consistency with the State and NPDES permitting engineering program requirements. Assists with conducting district overviews. Assists in developing standard permit conditions and Permit Builder. Assists in interpreting wastewater rules and policies. Assists with training and providing technical guidance on permitting issues and other aspects of wastewater management (including industrial pretreatment, treatment wetlands, and reuse of reclaimed water rules and water quality standards).
• Consults with, coordinates with, and responds to inquiries from state and other agencies, local governments, the public, and the regulated community.
• Assists the Program Administrator with developing and updating guidelines and manuals such as the Department’s Florida Guidance Manual for Industrial Pretreatment and the Department’s permit writer’s manual for training department staff. Updates include, but not limited to, new or revised reuse and wastewater statutes, rules, guidelines, and policies. Assists with developing and testing electronic permitting tools.
• Participates in the Department’s Water Tracker call center activities during emergency events.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•          Knowledge of state and federal permitting requirements and procedures.

•          Ability to work independently and manage technical projects.

•          Ability to understand wastewater treatment concepts and principles.

•          Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

•          Ability to prioritize workload.

•          Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

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

•          Ability to research and understand state, federal, and local wastewater rules, and regulations.

•          Knowledge of computer-based data retrieval systems.

Required Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two-year of verifiable related experience; or Any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of six years.

Pursuant to the sections 110.1127 and 435.04, Florida Statues, and DEP Directive 422, Background Investigation, is required to successfully complete a background and fingerprint check. 

Valid Driver's License.

Travel is required.

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  

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 : $52,530