ops environmental specialist III - 37950016

Requisition No: 417503

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ops environmental specialist III - 37950016

Position Number: 37950016

Salary: 19.69/hr

Posting Closing Date: 07/21/2021

OPS Environmental Specialist III

Position Number 37950016

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Open Competitive

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:

The Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration (OWPER) is accepting applications for one full time Other Personnel Services (OPS) Environmental Specialist III position. The selected candidate will join a multidisciplinary team that implements Department policy, programmatic, technical and regulatory responsibilities under several Everglades restoration efforts, including the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), Everglades Forever Act (EFA), and the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP). This position provides technical support to Everglades planning, permitting and compliance activities by evaluating, interpreting, and reporting water quality data specific to the Everglades ecosystem. This position requires frequent participation in intra- and interagency teams and working groups and is also involved in the implementation of the Innovative Technology Grants that identify methods to prevent, combat, and clean-up harmful algal blooms. This position reports to the Everglades Water Quality Technical Lead and has no supervisory responsibilities.

The Difference You Will Make:

OWPER plays a key role in carrying out the largest environmental restoration project in the world - restoring the natural treasure of America's Everglades. Restoration initiatives are focused on improving water quality and restoring the hydrology and ecology of the Everglades ecosystem, which covers nearly 18,000 square miles from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes to Florida Bay.

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:

This position is located at the South District DEP office in Fort Myers, Florida. It is primarily office-based, with occasional travel required for interagency meetings and visits to various project sites throughout south Florida. Fort Myers is located in Lee County and is close to Naples and Sanibel Island.

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 OPS employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Pay:

$19.69/hour

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position provides technical support for planning, permitting and compliance activities, including but not limited to generating the daily South Florida system updates, reviewing permit application materials and water quality monitoring plans, reviewing regulatory reports, and statistically analyzing and illustrating water quality, biological and hydrological data for the greater Everglades ecosystem. This position will assist in writing Chapter 3 of the annual South Florida Environmental Report. Other duties include participation in interagency meetings and working groups with Federal and State partners and local stakeholders, including the Restoration Coordination & Verification team (RECOVER) and Project Delivery Teams (PDT) for Everglades restoration projects. The position will also provide technical support for the Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration on the Everglades Technical Oversight Committee. Other responsibilities include supporting the program's quality assurance (QA) system and conducting technical reviews of Innovative Technology Grant deliverables, including Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to analyze and interpret water quality and environmental data. Experience using R and RStudio software is strongly desired.
• Ability to synthesize data into reports and presentations that illustrate and communicate key findings, trends, and regional water quality and/or hydrological status.
• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure timely and accurate completion of tasks and assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups of professionals.

• Ability to work independently and with others in a team setting with minimal supervision.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to plan and coordinate work assignments.
• Strong time management skills.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written).

• Ability to operate personal computers and appropriate software for word processing and data analysis.
• Applicable knowledge of statistical theory.
• Ability to maintain a valid Driver's License.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver's License

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the natural sciences (i.e., biology, chemistry, environmental science).

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the natural sciences (i.e., biology, chemistry, environmental science).
• Experience using R and RStudio, or similar statistical analysis software.
• Knowledge of 62-302, FAC and 62-160, FAC.

• Knowledge of south Florida ecology and Everglades restoration efforts.

Contact Information:

Alyssa Gilhooly

2295 Victoria Avenue, Suite 364

Fort Myers, FL 33902

(239) 344-5658

Alyssa.Gilhooly@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.