Requisition No: 798024

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37940157-Div of Env Asmnt & Restoration 1 1

Position Number: 37940157

Salary: $22.34 hourly, commensurate with experience

Posting Closing Date: 04/04/2023

OPS Environmental Specialist III

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

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 OPS Environmental Specialist III, position number 37940157, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Water Quality Standards Program (WQSP), Aquatic Ecology and Quality Assurance Section (AEQAS) in Tallahassee, Florida and will be responsible for providing quality assurance support throughout DEP. This position will assist section staff with conducting field and laboratory audits, performing data analysis and data usability assessments, providing DEP SOP and related QA training, conducting environmental field sampling, and review, interpretation and reporting of environmental data.

The Difference You Will Make:

Water and natural resources are the foundation of Florida's communities, economy, and way of life. The Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) is charged with protecting, maintaining, and improving the quality of Florida’s springs, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. DEAR team members provide the department and other resource agencies with the highest quality laboratory services available; provide technical support to the department and the public regarding water quality analysis and data quality assurance (QA); manage water quality data repositories for data storage and use by the department, other agencies and the public; and work together to monitor and assess Florida’s surface water and groundwater quality, develop strategies to reduce pollution, and work closely with local stakeholders to implement comprehensive restoration strategies that improve the lives of all Floridians and preserve aquatic resources for generations to come.

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 work location of this position is in Tallahassee (Leon County), Florida. The city hosts the Capital of Florida and seat of state government. The city is home to numerous parks offering outdoor activities, league sports and natural trails for running, hiking, and biking. Tallahassee is located just 22 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, which is home to some of the world's top beaches. Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College, and several smaller colleges in the region offer a hub for academic research, athletics, art, music, and other student activities.

OPS/Seasonal/Part Time 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 (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;

For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

• Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

Pay:

$22.34 hourly, commensurate with experience

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The duties of this position involve specialized professional environmental work performing data quality assessment, data interpretation, and related quality assessment activities. This position requires a technical background in the environmental and chemical sciences with specific focus on Quality Assurance (QA) protocols of environmental measurement systems, as well as well-developed communication skills.

Consults with programs throughout the Department on issues concerning the appropriateness and quality of scientific information generated for environmental decision-making. Includes interaction with Department program managers and QA officers on issues related to their QA activities and data quality assessments. Assists in annual compilation of Department QA activities and goals.

Participates in field and lab audits. Assists in the preparation and/or review of DEP SOPs and other documents for field and laboratory procedures. Participates in the organization and delivery of QA training activities, including but not limited to, DEP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) training. Assists in the preparation of training materials, including training videos for DEP and non-DEP audiences. Gives presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.

Conducts environmental field sampling as needed, using a wide array of highly sophisticated water chemistry, sediment, and bioassessment methods for a variety of projects including, but not limited to, water quality standards development, use attainability analysis, biological assessment development, and site specific alternative criteria analysis following standard DEP protocols and QA procedures.

Provides scientific review, evaluation, and interpretation of chemical and biological data and reports in support of Section, Program and Division projects, and makes recommendations to assist DEP programs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Quality Assurance (QA) principles, including field, laboratory, and data validation activities.
• Knowledge of environmental field sampling techniques, terminology, principles, and methodologies.
• Ability to collect water quality and biological samples while in harsh environments while following strict QA procedures.
• Knowledge of computer software programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to provide scientific review, evaluation, and interpretation of chemical and biological data.
• Ability to write and edit environmental assessment reports.
• Ability to give presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work in teams and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to organize workloads, work independently, and solve problems.
• Ability to travel, including long days and overnight travel.
• Ability to drive and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in natural, environmental, biological, or physical sciences from an accredited university or college and 2 years of relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree in natural, environmental, biological, or physical sciences from an accredited university or college and 1 year of relevant experience; OR
• PhD in natural, environmental, biological or physical sciences from an accredited university or college; OR
• 5 years of relevant experience.
• Valid Driver’s license.
• Travel

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the DEP SOPs, Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., and NELAC standards.
• Ability to conduct field and laboratory audits.
• Experience in evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting scientific or technical data.
• Ability to provide attention to detail and complete tasks efficiently.

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_Recruitment@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.