OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37970701

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPCIALIST II

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:

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II (37970701)

SUPERVISOR: Chris Becker, Environmental Specialist III

Chris.Becker@FLORIDADEP.GOV

(941)882-7202

The Florida Park Service District 4 Office is seeking to fill an OPS Environmental Specialist position. This position assists the District 4 Biologists and park staff with project management and monitoring, restoration, resource management, invasive plant control, plant and animal inventories, oversee contracted projects, track projects and budgets, listed species surveys, and management plan development for state parks in southwest Florida. The incumbent will often work independently in remote areas on various natural resource related projects. There will be frequent travel from the incumbent’s home base to other parks; the home base will be the District 4 Administration Biology building located at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, Florida.

The Difference You Will Make:

Florida state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by all through providing appropriate resource-based recreational opportunities, interpretation and education that help visitors connect to the Real Florida. SM

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:

                District 4 Administration/Biology Building             

c/o Oscar Scherer State Park

                1843 S. Tamiami Trail

                Osprey, FL 34229

Oscar Scherer State Park is located in mid-Sarasota County.  This urban setting is located close to gulf beaches and downtown Venice.  Aside from the recreational opportunities, many cultural sites are within close distances. This park covers approximately 1,400 acres and consists of 106 campsites, youth area camping, 15 miles of trails, a tidal estuary, creek and a swimming lake.  The park contains one of the last strongholds of scrub habitat within Sarasota County with many endemic species such as the Florida Scrub Jay, Gopher Frog and Indigo Snake.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*).  For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to:  https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).  For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please click  Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;

For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

Pay:

$17-$19 per hour, commensurate with experience

Your Specific Responsibilities:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Plan, recommend, monitor, and conduct resource management projects including prescribed burning, invasive species removal, reforestation, plant community restoration, erosion control, pest species control and native wildlife management.  Assist with natural community maintenance and restoration.  Research current resource management methodologies to stay abreast of developments in new techniques and technologies, and convey information gained to other staff and parks.  Research is directed at inventory, monitoring, and answering resource management questions. Create maps using ArcGIS or other mapping programs to use for various projects. Provide oversight on contracted projects. Develop scopes of work for resource management related projects.

Conduct plant and animal surveys and monitoring, including those related to listed species management and invasive species inventory, and for assembling and maintaining various resource management databases. 

Investigate and report on activities which may have detrimental effects on park resources. Participate in the resource management evaluation and land management review programs as assigned. 

Prepare resource related grant proposals and budget items.  Manage grant projects and resource management budget items.  Review permit applications and prepare permit applications for projects.

Maintain correspondence files, email and reference library; specification writing, monthly reports and miscellaneous correspondence; maintain A-V equipment, camera, vehicle and office equipment as assigned.

Complete administrative duties as required in a timely manner. Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF: the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences; terminology, management principles and practices of prescribed fire and wildfire suppression; data collection and analysis principles and procedures; Florida flora, both native and exotic; managing contracted projects; concepts necessary for success invasive plant management. Florida’s natural communities and which plants to expect to find in them, native and exotic; implementing a plant survey.

Skill in: prescribed burning and wildfire suppression, from planning through implementation and evaluation; plan development; GIS use; GPS use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), MS office, and Adobe Software. Familiarity with tools and equipment used in natural resource survey (e.g. GPS devices, Avenza maps and other survey applications) and invasive plant control, including hand, power/ gas tools, herbicide sprayers, and all-wheel drive equipment.

Ability to: coordinate a complex natural resource management program; collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data; prepare technical reports;  understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs;  deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner;  work independently;  plan, organize and coordinate work assignments;  communicate effectively verbally and in writing;  create maps maintain useful information in GIS; operate at GPS; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;  utilize problem solving techniques;  operate fire equipment and miscellaneous small equipment; operate motor vehicles; operate chain saws; track budgets and progress for multiple resource management projects; work nights, weekends, and holidays.  Operate and maintain 4x4 trucks and ATV/UTVs in variable terrain; maintaining and repairing chemical sprayers; walk in heat, brush and rough terrain, lift and carry items up to 30 pounds.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

A bachelor’s or graduate degree in one of the physical or natural sciences plus a minimum of two years of professional experience related to land management, research, monitoring, natural community restoration, wildlife management, or forestry.  Professional experience as described above can be substituted on a year-for-year basis for college education. Certified State of Florida Prescribed Burner Certification is preferred.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Florida Class E driver’s license or an out-of-state class equivalent driver’s license is required.

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 PM (B) Total hours in work week 40 (C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.) Rotating shifts.

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_ER@dep.state.fl.us

Salary : $17 - $19