What are the responsibilities and job description for the OPS Environmental Specialist I position at The State of Florida?
Requisition No: 850154
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: OPS Environmental Specialist I - 37932054
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 37932054
Salary: 18.00 hr
Posting Closing Date: 04/09/2025
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Other Personnel Services (OPS) - Environmental Specialist I
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest District
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 advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy.
The Work You Will Do:
This is a part-time 20 hour a week OPS position that requires skills in applying instructions to accomplish different job functions and a general understanding of scientific principles within the Compliance Assurance Program. Duties will primarily focus on, but not limited to, conducting compliance inspections for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater section.
The Difference You Will Make:
Your role as OPS Environmental Specialist is critical to fulfilling our district’s mission of creating strong community partnerships and safeguarding Florida’s 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:
The Northwest District (NWD) is located along the Gulf Coast. We proudly serve 16 counties in the Florida panhandle including Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington. This district has three offices located in Pensacola, Panama City and Tallahassee. This position is available at the NWD main office located at 160 W. Government St., Pensacola, FL., 32502.
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 and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
- Flexible Spending Accounts;
For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
Position Specifics
- Position Type - Other Personnel Services (OPS)
- Pay - $18.00/hr
- Weekly Hours - 20 hours a week
- Biweekly Payroll
Your Specific Responsibilities:
Facility Compliance: In general, this position will conduct a high volume of low complexity inspections and file/data reviews.
- Plans and conducts inspections, site visits and other required field work, or conducts records reviews necessary for compliance evaluations. This includes, but is not limited to, reviewing permit files, reports, and other documents, as well as performing calculations and technical reviews. When necessary, make enforcement recommendations to supervisor.
- Conducts follow-up activities to assist facilities in returning to compliance without enforcement.
- Responds to, investigates, and takes steps to resolve complaints.
- When necessary, recommends enforcement action. Participates in the drafting of enforcement documents and participates in enforcement meetings.
- Supports, participates, and assists in the execution of compliance assistance workshops for the regulated community.
Training:
- Participates and assists with internal training events/activities to gain the essential skills needed to determine the compliance status of regulated facilities. This includes participating in safety events, job shadowing, on the job training and team building initiatives as directed by management.
- Is a self-advocate for training, and partners with appropriate district staff to learn about multiple DEP program areas.
Report Processing:
- Produces timely and accurate documentation of file reviews, inspections, site visits or field work. Enters documentation, compliance data and resolution actions into the designated database.
- Reviews required reports, test reports and notices for regulated facilities. Ensures the reviews are accurate, completed timely and are entered into the designated database.
- Processes reports in accordance with established program rules, requirements, and policies.
Performs other duties as needed.
Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:
- Ability to serve the public, DEP’s stakeholders and each other in a courteous and timely manner.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to maintain effective and productive working relationships with others.
- Skill in dealing with conflicts, confrontations, and disagreements in a positive manner.
- Ability to effectively prepare, prioritize, and organize work, meetings, and projects to meet deadlines and quality expectations.
- Ability to effectively solve problems and make competent decisions.
- Ability to demonstrate personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability.
- Skill and proficiency in computer operations and programs such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint and Outlook.
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
- Ability to understand and apply applicable State and Federal rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
- Skill in collecting, evaluating, analyzing and interpreting scientific or technical data.
- Ability to conduct field inspections/investigations that may involve working outdoors for extended periods of time in temperatures and weather conditions typical of Florida and navigating areas with rough terrain.
- Knowledge of field sampling techniques for soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment.
Minimum Qualifications
- Valid Driver's License and ability to travel as needed.
- Associate of Science or higher in engineering or one of the natural sciences or currently enrolled in an undergraduate engineering or science program at the junior level or higher or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of 2 years.
- Upon appointment must complete OSHA 24-hour HAZWOPER certification and OSHA 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher annually thereafter.
For questions regarding the position, please contact: Kenneth Dickey, Environmental Manager at Kenneth.Dickey@FloridaDEP.gov 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_ER@dep.state.fl.us
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.
Salary : $18
