ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37002381

State of Florida • WEST PALM BEACH, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This advanced environmental position serves as the Assistant Manager of the DEP Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). The role involves assisting the CRCP Manager in overseeing all aspects of the CRCP and its staff across Miami and West Palm Beach. The jurisdiction covers coral reef resource management, monitoring, research, and public education in Southeast Florida, from Biscayne National Park to the St. Lucie Inlet, encompassing the Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The position reports to the CRCP Manager.

Requirements

• Knowledge of coral reef ecosystems and general marine science or coastal resource management.
• Knowledge of ecological and resource management terminology, principles, and methods with emphasis on coral reef ecosystems.
• Knowledge of common fishing, diving, and boating practices in Southeast Florida, particularly those that occur on or near coral reefs.
• Knowledge of marine fisheries and fishery monitoring programs.
• Knowledge of current fishing regulations and state and federal fisheries management plans.
• Knowledge of socioeconomic and conservation issues associated with fishing, diving, and boating.
• Knowledge of marine resource management tools and techniques; managed area public processes; and managed area management plans.
• Knowledge of adaptive/sustainable coral reef ecosystems management.
• Experience supervising staff, volunteers, or interns.
• Experience managing program and project budgets and managing grants and contracts.
• Experience managing large, diverse stakeholder groups.
• Skill in math and analytics.
• Skill in organization, writing and editing (both technical and colloquial).
• Skill in public speaking and meeting facilitation.
• Skill in PC computers, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Skill in small boat handling and trailering, or the ability to acquire these skills.
• Skill in SCUBA diving, scientific diving, and experience as a diver for marine science leading field work.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ability to identify the stony coral and reef fish species of Southeast Florida.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to formulate policies and procedures.
• Ability to prepare technical reports.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and different agencies to implement management recommendations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to be flexible, multitask, and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple, multi-year, concurrent projects.
• Ability to work in a team setting and independently.
• Ability to work independently and complete tasks with attention to detail under minimal supervision.
• Ability to determine work priorities, ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with a diverse range of people.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 35 lbs.
• At least seven (7) years of verifiable related experience in marine environmental or biological sciences. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in marine environmental or biological sciences may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Valid Driver License required for regular local travel throughout Southeast Florida and occasional long-distance travel.
• Must be a certified scuba diver with Advanced Open Water certification who can provide documentation of at least 50 logged dives.
• Rescue and Nitrox SCUBA certifications to be obtained within 1 year if not already certified for these ratings.
• Must have prior approval and meet the diving and/or snorkeling validation requirements in the DEP Underwater Operations Manual.
• This position is medically monitored.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in marine environmental or biological sciences.
• Skill with ESRI ArcGIS Online
• Rescue and Nitrox scuba certifications

Responsibilities

• Assist the CRCP Manager in planning, developing, directing, and coordinating the implementation of the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI), Florida’s Local Action Strategy (LAS), and the Coral Aquatic Preserve management plan.
• Facilitate participation and input from stakeholders and other government agencies in SEFCRI.
• Serve as a point of contact and facilitator for the SEFCRI Team and Technical Advisory Committee efforts, including meetings and conference calls.
• Assist the CRCP Manager in maintaining communication with supporting groups like Friends of Our Florida Reef.
• Directly supervise OPS staff and potentially oversee FTE by assigning work, reviewing progress, assessing performance, and training personnel.
• Manage confidential data according to state rules.
• Lead the development, planning, and implementation of Fishing, Diving, and Other Uses (FDOU) local action strategy projects identified by SEFCRI and FDOU-related projects in the Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve (KJCAP) Management Plan.
• Lead planning and implementation of projects to improve understanding of impacts to KJCAP resources from fishing, diving, and boating, and inform future management strategies.
• Ensure information exchange on FDOU issues among CRCP staff to assist with project implementation.
• Write, review, and edit technical information.
• Work with public and private sector partners to protect marine resources in KJCAP.
• Collaborate and foster effective communication with intra- and interagency staff, SEFCRI Team members, stakeholders, and the public.
• Maintain and establish new partnerships with stakeholder groups including resource users, NGOs, educational institutions, and government agencies.
• Participate in FDOU-related meetings.
• Collaborate with partners, the SEFCRI Team, and local stakeholders to evaluate, implement, or recommend management approaches to reduce impacts from fishing, diving, and other uses.
• Support the continuation of and explore options for expansion of fisheries monitoring programs and protocols.
• Assess and increase awareness of unsustainable resource use in KJCAP.
• Maintain DEP Diver qualification as defined by the DEP Underwater Operations Manual, including current medical approval for diving.
• Participate in FDOU-related field work and other CRCP related field work as required.
• Develop and manage proposals, grants, and contracts for assigned projects.
• Oversee contractor progress reporting, deliverables approval, and financial tracking.
• Ensure progress and completion of all projects.
• Maintain program and project files and records.
• Analyze data, develop and maintain databases, prepare progress and financial reports.
• Facilitate annual review and revision of assigned core programs and projects.
• Organize, facilitate, and participate in CRCP and SEFCRI-related workshops and meetings.
• Ensure meeting minutes are recorded and prepare meeting summaries.
• Assist with CRCP, KJCAP, and SEFCRI programmatic and strategic planning.
• Assist with the implementation of other SEFCRI projects and CRCP activities as directed.
• Aid in emergency events, including pre-storm preparation, post-storm clean-up, and replacement of stored goods.
• Snorkel or SCUBA dive as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree