ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37020723

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37020723

Date: Jul 19, 2024

Location:

SANFORD, FL, US, 32771

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website (http://www.dms.myflorida.com/workforce_operations/human_resource_management/for_job_applicants/e_verify) .

Requisition No: 833599

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37020723

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020723

Salary: $34,899.44-$124,762.64

Posting Closing Date: 08/16/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool (https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/)

Central Florida Aquatic Preserve Manager - Environmental Specialist III -Position#37020723

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Anticipated Vacancy

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:

Under direction of the Environmental Manager, this position provides an environmental professional level of oversight of the Lower Wekiva-Upper St Johns River and Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserves, including the daily administrative, operational, and oversight tasks required to accomplish resource protection. The incumbent will supervise two positions: OPS Environmental Specialist I; OPS Environmental Specialist II.

The Difference You Will Make:

As aquatic preserve manager, you will promote the aquatic preserve program in your region, creating awareness of the value of the preserves while helping to manage sustainable use and access in partnership with other DEP divisions and agencies.

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:

Central Florida Aquatic Preserves Office

8300 FL-46

Sanford, FL 32771

The Central Florida Aquatic Preserves office is tucked into the Wekiva River Preserve State Park. Surrounded by mature oak trees and home to numerous gopher tortoises, the office sits along the Florida Trail and is within walking distance of Katie’s Landing kayak launch. The region has exceptional kayaking, hiking and camping opportunities, yet is situated close to two major airports and within driving distance of the Atlantic coast.

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:

  $55,620.00 annual

  Your Specific Responsibilities:

• Plans, coordinates, and implements resource management and research projects within the preserve to protect or enhance the resources, or better understand their function. Cooperates with or assists other researchers to maximize the research accomplished.

• Pursues grants and other sources of funding or assistance to accomplish resource management needs.

• Prepares in coordination with supervisor, management plans for the preserves, including seeking public input. Participates in planning or reviewing resource management goals and objectives at the central office, department, regional and statewide levels, where appropriate, to ensure that site specific issues are addressed by higher level plans and vice versa. Attends and represents the Office of Resilience and Costal Protection at various meetings, and makes presentations as needed to ensure that the public and other agencies are aware of the site-specific issues and management objectives. Provides technical assistance to departmental, regional, or local permitting, planning or enforcement authorities to ensure that regulations are properly implemented, applied, and enforced.

• Conducts educational activities to better acquaint the public and resource users with the natural resources and resource protection needs of the preserves. Activities include teaching classes, conducting interpretive field trips, answering phone calls, and distributing available literature. Develops literature, courses, and presentations, if necessary, to promote understanding of local resources.

• Coordinates volunteer efforts to assist with resource management needs.

• Serves as the liaison between CFAP office and it’s Citizen Support Organization, Aquatic Preserve Alliance of Central Florida, Inc.

• Routinely conducts field visit to establish DEP presence in APs, including but not limited to, travel to aquatic preserves via vessels to document conditions, report any notable changes, become aquatinted with the resource, review permitted facilities, and document any violations.

• Administers the field office to accomplish program goals including tracking budget, purchasing, and providing reports required by the central office, department, or granting agency. Reviews and approves time and attendance of direct reports. Stays up to date on all department administrative procedures and ensures that staff are properly trained in administrative and operational procedures. Ensures reports have completed all required training in a timely manner.

  Operates vehicles, vessels, field equipment and personal computers as required to accomplish tasks. Ensures that all assigned vehicles, boats, field equipment and office equipment are properly maintained, and are safe and operable. Is responsible for office facility upkeep and securing contractors as needed for repairs/maintenance. Oversees Resident Volunteers as needed.

  Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  Knowledge of central Florida freshwater and estuarine ecology (submerged aquatic vegetation); operate personal computers and related software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, web software and GIS software. Knowledge of DEP environmental resources permitting. Skilled in boat handling, trailering and safety. CPR -First Aid certification preferred. Ability to pass snorkeling/swimming test. Ability to monitor natural resources for environmental impacts; critically analyze data, speak publicly; effectively communicate with regulated interests, volunteers, and user groups; maintain positive and effective working relationship with other staff, partner organizations, and the general public; perform physically demanding work in hot, humid, and/or wet field conditions, work on weekends or after hours if necessary; communicate verbally and in writing; maintain a valid driver’s license.

  Minimum Qualifications:

  A bachelor's degree in the biological or environmental management fields from an accredited college or university; or

  Any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described in this posting, for a total of four years.

Ability to complete FDEP Boat trailering and operation certification, FDEP kayaking/paddling certification within the first three months of hiring will be a requirement of this position

Preferred Qualifications:

First Aid-CPR certification preferred.

Background Screening Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.

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:

[email protected]

[email protected]

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 clickinghere (http://www.dms.myflorida.com/content/download/97612/566545) . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

Nearest Major Market:Orlando