Environmental Scientist I, II, II, or IV

Applications must be filled out online at www.mysuwanneeriver.com.

Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Suwannee River Water Management District (District).

The Environmental Scientist supports or assist with District environmental programs and/or activities and ensures environmental compliance under Florida statutes. This position assist with or may conduct environmental sampling, field assessments, evaluating and/or analyzing data, compiling data, and/or technical report writing in order to meet project goals and objectives.

Job Duties Include:

ES I -

• Assist with data collection and analysis, quality assurance, and quality control reviews to document key indicators of the health of natural systems and facilitate the analysis and archiving of biological data.

• Investigate the use of remote sensing for evaluating the areal extent of algal blooms, submerged aquatic vegetation and other key indicators of the health of natural systems.

• Provide technical assistance with management, analysis and communication of data in support of special projects.

• Provide field support for project as needed.

• Help draft technical reports and publications.

• Act as a District liaison with the public, local governments, and applicants; attend agency meetings, public meetings, and trainings, and give presentations.

• Perform some of the following duties specific to the assigned District Office:

o Reviews Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) applications for compliance with applicable criteria and prepares technical staff reports of findings.

o Communicating regulations effectively with the public.

o Documenting and following up complaints. Initiating solutions.

o Performs site inspections of projects and reviews plans to determine compliance with permits.

o Meets with applicants, engineers and environmental consultants, in person and by phone, to discuss regulatory requirements.

o Participating in policy and rulemaking process.

o Providing input to the compliance and enforcement process.

o Providing interagency coordination and representing the District as needed, including giving presentations as needed.

o Reviews Water Use Permit (WUP) applications for compliance with applicable wetland criteria and prepares technical staff reports of findings.

o Inspects in-house and contractual field projects to monitor progress.

o Manage complaints by responding to phone calls, reviewing site history, conducting site visits, and corresponding with landowners and consultants.

o Review and monitor wetland mitigation projects in support of the goal of ‘no net loss of wetland function’ in the District.

• Cross-train and assist staff in other District offices as assigned.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

ES II - In addition to ES I duties:

• Assist the public through outreach, answering phone calls and conducting meetings to provide subject matter expertise or project/application requirements.

• Review project and/or application materials including rule interpretation, GIS review, aerial interpretation, application correspondence, plan review, and database entry.

• Coordinates work teams to conduct field reviews of project or application materials, including evaluation of water quality, soils, vegetation, and/or hydrologic indicators.

• Perform data collection, data analysis, quality assurance, and quality control reviews to support the District’s water quality monitoring network.

• Perform biological monitoring work including mapping and monitoring.

• Prepare technical staff reports and provide scientific support for projects.

• Conduct site visits, inspections and field work by land or river.

• Perform some of the following duties specific to the assigned District Office:

o Determining the limits of jurisdictional wetlands by identifying the characteristic vegetation, soils, and hydrology. Evaluating wetland boundaries established by consultants.

o Identifying wetlands and determining the limits of jurisdictional wetlands through the evaluation of hydrophytic vegetation, hydrologic indicators, and hydric soils and verifying the landward extent of wetlands established by consultants.

o Performing desktop evaluations of site-specific characteristics including the National Wetlands Inventory, NRCS soil surveys, LiDAR data, etc.

o Technical wetland review of environmental resource and Works of the District permit applications, plans, narratives, and descriptions for completeness and accuracy.

o Determining the need for and, if necessary, requesting additional information to fully assess potential environmental impact of a project.

o Preparing technical staff reports recommending approval or denial of projects.

o Performing pre-application site inspections or in-house meetings; handling permit-related questions.

o Investigating and documenting complaints; and making recommendations to the Chief Engineer on how to resolve them.

o Managing compliance cases by coordinating with affected parties, consultants, attorneys, and other agencies to bring cases to resolution.

o Manage complaints by responding to phone calls, reviewing site history, conducting site visits, and corresponding with landowners and consultants.

o Recommend avoidance measures, and review mitigation projects for permit applicants in order to reduce detrimental impact of projects on the environment.

o Review and monitor wetland mitigation projects in support of the goal of ‘no net

o Review permitted projects for compliance with permit conditions and District rules.

ES III – In addition to ES II duties:

• Conduct field reviews of simple projects or application materials, including evaluation of water quality, soils, vegetation, and/or hydrologic indicators.

• Act as District liaison with the public, local governments, and applicants; attend agency meetings, public meetings, training, and give presentations.

• Prepare written technical staff reports.

• Develop, implement, and document Standard Operating Procedures, Quality Assurance Procedures, and Helpful Hints.

• Perform some of the following duties specific to the assigned District Office:

o Manage Florida Department of Transportation Mitigation projects per 373.4137, F.S.

o Evaluate complex compliance cases.

o Evaluate wetland delineations and identifications.

o Conduct and Evaluate Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) determinations.

o Determine the need for and, if necessary, request additional information in order to fully assess the environmental rules for ERP applications.

o Prepare and deliver presentations on ERP topics at public meetings and education or outreach opportunities.

o Send inquiry/compliance letters, make recommendations on the issuance of stop work orders, make recommendations on whether rule violations exist, make recommendations on punitive and/or remedial actions to be taken.

o Conduct wetland delineation and identification.

ES IV – In addition to ES III duties:

• Serves as expert witness when necessary.

• Collect, compile, evaluate and analyze data, and prepare or assist with technical report writing in order to meet project goals and objectives.

• Mentor junior Environmental Scientists and other District staff

• Be able to perform all duties with moderate supervision.

• Perform some of the following duties specific to the assigned District Office:

o Manage Florida Department of Transportation Mitigation projects per 373.4137, F.S.

o Evaluate complex compliance and enforcement cases.

o Conduct and evaluate wetland delineations and identifications.

o Send inquiry/compliance letters, make recommendations on the issuance of stop work orders, make recommendations on whether rule violations exist, make recommendations on punitive and/or remedial actions to be taken.

Minimum Qualifications:

Environmental Scientist I:

• Bachelor’s Degree in natural, biological, mathematical, physical, or engineering science.

• Experience with ArcGIS and Microsoft Office Suite preferred.

• Experience in water resource management and Florida Boating Safety preferred.

• Based on the assigned office, the following certifications may be preferred:

o FDEP Water Quality SOP Certification

o USCG Boating Safety

o Professional Wetland Scientist Certification

o Certified Soil Scientist

o Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control certification

o Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM)

• Valid drivers’ license.

Environmental Scientist II: In addition to the ES I requirements:

• Minimum of two (2) years’ related experience with wetlands plants, soils, or hydrology.

• Engineering Intern (E.I.) certification in civil, environmental, hydraulic, agricultural, or water resources may substitute for two (2) years’ experience.

• Master’s Degree preferred; may substitute for one (1) year of required experience.

Environmental Scientist III: In addition to the ES II requirements:

• Minimum of five (5) years’ related experience with wetlands plants, soils, or hydrology.

• Demonstration of two (2) years’ related customer service and/or conflict resolution skills.

• Based on the assigned office, the following certifications may be preferred:

o Certified Floodplain Manager

o Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner

o Professional Geologist

o Professional Engineer

Environmental Scientist IV: In addition to the ES III requirements:

• Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in natural resource management or the environmental field.

• Certified Wetland Evaluator certification preferred and must be obtained within one (1) year.

Application Process:

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, a District employment application. Any application that is not complete will not receive consideration for the position. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the information requested on the application for purposes of qualification.

Additional Details: This position is advertised until filled.

Suwannee River Water Management District participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans will receive preference in employment and are encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans Preference/Drug Free/Tobacco Free Workplace

Salary:
Environmental Scientist I: PG 110 ($42,494.40 - $63,689.50);
Environmental Scientist II: PG 111 ($45,219.20 - $67,828.80),
Environmental Scientist III: PG 113 ($49,462.40 - $82,451.20),
Environmental Scientist IV: PG 114 ($53,414.40 - $89,003.20).
Starting salary commensurate with selected candidate's competencies and qualifications.

For helping to maintain our valuable water resources, we offer:
Florida retirement system/retirement benefits
Deferred compensation
Work-life balance
9 paid holidays
Generous vacation and sick leave
Medical, dental and vision insurance
Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
Long-term disability
Health savings & Health reimbursement accounts
Prescription drug coverage & mail order program
Employee assistance program
Public service loan forgiveness qualified employer
Tuition reimbursement
State adoption benefit program qualified employer
Training and development resources
Innovative projects
Advanced technologies