Requisition No: 829798 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010112

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010112 

Salary: $61,243.92 

Posting Closing Date: 05/25/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

STATE OF FLORIDA

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

**THIS IS AN ANTICIPATED VACANCY**

**THIS IS AN INTERNAL POSTING**

 ***** ONLY CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WILL BE CONSIDERED *****

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 posting is for an advanced level Environmental Specialist III position located at the Department of Environmental Protection's Southeast District – The Southeast District is located in West Palm Beach. This position is located at the Marathon branch office of the Southeast District. The position is in the Compliance Assistance Program.

The Difference You Will Make:

Our culture consists of creating connections, working together effectively and celebrating our successes while leaving the legacy of Protecting Florida Together.

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:

Southeast District - The Southeast District Office is located in West Palm Beach. This position will be located in the Marathon branch office of the Southeast district. Marathon is known for some of the best boating activities, amazing fishing, beautiful beaches, warm weather and other great outdoor activities. The popular Key West is only an hour drive from Marathon.

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:

  $61,243.92

  Your Specific Responsibilities:

  Facility Compliance.

• Plans and conducts inspections, site visits, and/or other required field work or conducts records reviews necessary for compliance evaluations. This includes, but is not limited to, reviewing permitting files, reports, and other documents; as well performing calculations and technical reviews. When necessary, make enforcement recommendations to supervisor.
• Provides compliance assistance to regulated facilities before, during, and after inspections. 
• Conducts follow up visits as needed to assist facilities with returning to compliance without enforcement. 
• Responds to complaints in a prompt and effective manner, investigates, and takes steps to resolve the matter. 
• When necessary, recommends enforcement action. Drafts enforcement documents.
• Coordinates and leads enforcement meetings. 
• Conceives, supports, participates, and/or assists in the execution of compliance assistance workshops for the regulated community and District employee cross training.

• 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. Receives, reviews,

  and processes submitted reports, tests, and notices for regulated facilities for accuracy, time.

• Reviews required reports, test reports, and notices for regulated facilities. Ensures the reviews are accurate, completed timely and are entered into the designated database. Reports are to be processed in accordance with established program rules, requirements, and policies.

This position is responsible for conducting compliance inspections primarily for the Compliance Assurance program, and other programs, as assigned by the supervisor.  Completes site inspection reports for supervisor detailing site conditions and compliance status. Investigates non-authorized activities through associated research of county records, maps, previous files, and other pertinent sources. Evaluates impacts caused by unpermitted and/or unauthorized activities and makes recommendations as to possible restoration activities and mitigation for impacted sites.

Works with supervisor to develop appropriate enforcement action when violations are found. Prepares compliance assistance offer letters, warning letters, consent orders, Environmental Litigation Reform Act (ELRA), Notice of Violations (NOVs), state lands NOV’s, case reports, and other enforcement documents. Schedules and prepares for (including determination of applicable settlement) enforcement meetings in a timely fashion.

Coordinates enforcement activities with Army Corps of Engineers, County, and local government officials.

Prepares compliance and enforcement information for input into the Compliance Assurance Program various databases.

Keeps supervisor informed of any potential problems arising from compliance and enforcement activities.

Handles citizen complaints and responds in prompt and effective manner Snorkel as needed.

Performs other duties as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences. 
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to work in a team or independently.
• Ability to prepare technical and programmatic reports.
• Ability to understand and follow legislative policy direction as established in Florida Statutes.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to perform field inspections, including climbing ladders and stairs, walk on slopes, lift and carry 40 pounds over a distance of up to 100 yards.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time in temperatures and weather conditions typical of South Florida.
• Ability to use safety equipment.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers, computer programs, spreadsheets, industry database applications and various electronic devices.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license and travel overnight when required.
• Ability to conduct and complete work assignments without close supervision.
• As needed, certification upon appointment or within 6 months of appointment as a Certified Wetland Evaluator. (CWE)
• Travel overnight, if needed.
• Complete initial OSHA 24-hour HAZWOPER upon appointment and OSHA 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher annually thereafter, if applicable.
• Must have prior approval and meet the snorkeling/skin diving validation requirements in the DEP Underwater Operations Manual

• Preferred Criteria

• Knowledge of applicable Compliance Assurance rules and statutes.
• Skill and experience identifying plants and wildlife in the aquatic and wetland ecosystems found in the Florida Keys.
• Ability to review, evaluate and analyze, permit applications, site plans and drawings.
• Ability to use GIS software to locate project sites and prepare maps.
• Knowledge of the Department’s sampling operating procedures for water and wastewater and applicable water quality standards.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of 4 years, (Preferred)

• 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_Recruiting@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.

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.