ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37020611

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an advanced environmental professional position coordinating activities associated with implementing the State’s Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) Program covering Outstanding Florida Springs areas and performing technical work in a statewide water resources management program responsible for developing and assisting with the implementation of source pollution prevention programs for agriculture. Responsibilities include assessing information and preparing reports; recommending additional data collection; data analysis and interpretation; developing and implementing watershed management plans to restore and protect the health of waterbodies; and provide support for the development and review of best management practices (BMPs), waste reduction technologies, and pollution prevention projects. This program relies on partnerships and close coordination with managers and technical staff of the program, division, department, water management districts, local, state, regional, and federal agencies, the public, and the regulated community. This position is specifically responsible for guiding development of TMDL implementation plans and working with other agencies and consultants to further department efforts in the areas of agricultural pollution prevention and innovative methods of water quality remediation of agricultural sites. Strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of the principles of watershed management are used to perform the following duties:

Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) Development: Works with department staff and stakeholders to establish locally supported BMAPs. Responsible for consensus-building and group decision-making. This includes organizing meetings, leading discussions, preparing agendas, background papers, maps, tables, presentation materials and other documents and materials, and coordinating with TMDL and BMAP development contractors to provide a basis for decision-making in developing and implementing BMAPs. Formulates basin-specific approaches to stakeholder participation in developing BMAPs. Organizes and participates in specific basin stakeholder meetings and assists other basin coordinators in organizing and conducting local decision-making processes. Manages projects, particularly with respect to projects supporting BMAP development. Prepares draft BMAPs that reflect stakeholder input. Ensures proper coordination in the department and among stakeholders in BMAP drafting and review and in securing local acceptance, department approvals, and Secretarial adoption of BMAPs.

Agriculture Support: Coordinates with stakeholders to identify opportunities for agricultural pollution prevention and water quality improvement projects. Serves as liaison with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) for meetings, project selection and implementation, data collection, and enforcement efforts. Provides technical assistance to permitting programs and through review of best management practices, innovative technologies, and evaluating nutrient data, Handles confidential information. Conducts analyses to assess the status of nonpoint source pollution and develop watershed restoration plans.

Plan Monitoring and Reporting: Assures that BMAP implementation meetings and reporting requirements are carried out as identified and scheduled in adopted BMAPs and other related watershed plans. Initiates meetings and other communications with stakeholders and department staff on the status of actions identified in BMAPs, on water quality results, and on the status of other environmental responses to BMAP implementation. Provide summary progress reports and other information to program and division managers on actions identified in approved BMAPs and related plans.

Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Knowledge of principles of surface and groundwater hydrology.
• Knowledge of agricultural sciences and the environmental effects of agricultural practices.
• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
• Knowledge of applied statistical methods for water quality assessments and water quality modeling tools.
• Knowledge of and skill in working in a team environment with others to achieve a task.
• Skill in using MS-Office and ESRI GIS software.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures relating to land and water resource management program activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to create effective working partnerships with watershed stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work well as a team member and direct the outcomes of environmental projects.
• Ability to solve problems and effectively make decisions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of team.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to prepare technical reports.
• At least seven years of verifiable experience in chemistry, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, or environmental policy.
• Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, or environmental policy may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis.
• A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) designation or ability to obtain within 18 months of completing the on-the-job requirements for eligibility to take the FCCM training.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelors degree in chemistry, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, or environmental policy from an accredited university or college.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating activities associated with implementing the State’s Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) Program covering Outstanding Florida Springs areas.
• Performing technical work in a statewide water resources management program responsible for developing and assisting with the implementation of source pollution prevention programs for agriculture.
• Assessing information and preparing reports.
• Recommending additional data collection.
• Data analysis and interpretation.
• Developing and implementing watershed management plans to restore and protect the health of waterbodies.
• Providing support for the development and review of best management practices (BMPs), waste reduction technologies, and pollution prevention projects.
• Guiding development of TMDL implementation plans.
• Working with other agencies and consultants to further department efforts in the areas of agricultural pollution prevention and innovative methods of water quality remediation of agricultural sites.
• Works with department staff and stakeholders to establish locally supported BMAPs.
• Responsible for consensus-building and group decision-making.
• Organizing meetings, leading discussions, preparing agendas, background papers, maps, tables, presentation materials and other documents and materials.
• Coordinating with TMDL and BMAP development contractors to provide a basis for decision-making in developing and implementing BMAPs.
• Formulating basin-specific approaches to stakeholder participation in developing BMAPs.
• Organizing and participating in specific basin stakeholder meetings.
• Assisting other basin coordinators in organizing and conducting local decision-making processes.
• Managing projects, particularly with respect to projects supporting BMAP development.
• Preparing draft BMAPs that reflect stakeholder input.
• Ensuring proper coordination in the department and among stakeholders in BMAP drafting and review and in securing local acceptance, department approvals, and Secretarial adoption of BMAPs.
• Coordinating with stakeholders to identify opportunities for agricultural pollution prevention and water quality improvement projects.
• Serving as liaison with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) for meetings, project selection and implementation, data collection, and enforcement efforts.
• Providing technical assistance to permitting programs and through review of best management practices, innovative technologies, and evaluating nutrient data.
• Handling confidential information.
• Conducting analyses to assess the status of nonpoint source pollution and develop watershed restoration plans.
• Assuring that BMAP implementation meetings and reporting requirements are carried out as identified and scheduled in adopted BMAPs and other related watershed plans.
• Initiating meetings and other communications with stakeholders and department staff on the status of actions identified in BMAPs, on water quality results, and on the status of other environmental responses to BMAP implementation.
• Providing summary progress reports and other information to program and division managers on actions identified in approved BMAPs and related plans.
• Perform other related duties as required.

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