ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37002699

State of Florida • TALLAHASSEE, FL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an intermediate environmental position that develops, reviews, and revises standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sample collection, field testing, field bioassessments, and Quality Assurance (QA) documentation related to the monitoring programs of the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (ORCP). Ensures QA support activities are performed for ORCP programs related to the QA Directive, including regularly communicating with field staff and contractors, providing training to staff, ensuring that each program has a quality plan, completing the Annual QA Report to the Secretary, and holding QA meetings and trainings. Independently evaluates the effectiveness of the ORCP’s Quality System and initiates corrective actions, where warranted. Provides support for the preparation of the Annual QA Report to the DEP Secretary on all QA activities, including recommendations for improving the department’s Quality System. Provides support for Quality of Science reviews for specific ORCP programs when requested, or when warranted by specific data quality issues. Plans, develops curricula, and implements a statewide QA training program, targeted for ORCP employees. This training program includes all applicable training needed to ensure that Statewide scientific data collection, analyses, and interpretation comply with DEP’s QA policies and regulations and data management best practices. The goal of this program is to develop educated data producers and consumers so that all water quality and related environmental measurements performed by or for DEP are scientifically valid, defensible, and of known and acceptable precision and accuracy. Reviews program information, data, and analyses to support Florida’s Statewide Ecosystem Assessment of Coastal and Aquatic Resources (SEACAR) program. Working with data providers to implement data management best practices, including principles of data formatting and validation. This responsibility of data stewardship is important not just for scientific purposes, but also because this data will be made publicly available through the SEACAR database. Conduct performance, project and system audits of ORCP activities and contractors. These audits are performed to evaluate the sampler’s technique and knowledge of DEP SOPs or other sampling, field testing, or record-keeping in the field; track specific sample results through field records and/or lab records for data validation and usability assessments; and evaluate procedures, equipment and documentation. Reviews and approves QA documents for ORCP sampling and analysis activities and for contractual requirements. Coordinates, participates, initiates, and leads various special projects for ORCP. Special projects include public educational events, training events, and partnering projects with businesses and/or other agencies. Assists with FCMP reviews and program support events and projects such as attending Coastal States Organization’s coastal hazard meetings or NOAA’s Southeast Region’s Resilience call. Provides support for facilitated discussion for FCMP assessment and strategies. Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Florida coastal policies.
• Knowledge of environmental field sampling techniques, terminology, principles and methodologies.
• Knowledge of environmental laboratory analytical methods, principles and terminology.
• Knowledge of Quality Assurance (QA) principles and measures, including laboratory, field, and data validation activities.
• Knowledge of data management best practices, including principles of data formatting and validation.
• Knowledge of the requirements of Chapters 62-160, as applicable to the environmental field sampling and laboratory analysis.
• Knowledge of the DEP SOPs and NELAC standards.
• Ability to conduct field audits under adverse environmental conditions.
• Ability to interpret rules and regulations.
• Ability to demonstrate high levels of computer literacy and efficacy with the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve a task.
• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Ability to interact with supervisors, coworkers, and the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to be adaptable, flexible, resourceful and to maintain a positive outlook.
• At least four years of verifiable related experience in an environmental field. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university may be used as an alternative for the required four years of experience on a year-for-year basis.
• A valid driver license.
• Travel, including single-day and multi-day trips.

Responsibilities

• Develops, reviews, and revises standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sample collection, field testing, field bioassessments, and Quality Assurance (QA) documentation.
• Ensures QA support activities are performed for ORCP programs related to the QA Directive.
• Communicates with field staff and contractors, provides training to staff, and ensures each program has a quality plan.
• Completes the Annual QA Report to the Secretary and holds QA meetings and trainings.
• Independently evaluates the effectiveness of the ORCP’s Quality System and initiates corrective actions.
• Provides support for the preparation of the Annual QA Report to the DEP Secretary.
• Provides support for Quality of Science reviews for specific ORCP programs.
• Plans, develops curricula, and implements a statewide QA training program for ORCP employees.
• Reviews program information, data, and analyses to support Florida’s Statewide Ecosystem Assessment of Coastal and Aquatic Resources (SEACAR) program.
• Works with data providers to implement data management best practices.
• Conducts performance, project and system audits of ORCP activities and contractors.
• Reviews and approves QA documents for ORCP sampling and analysis activities and for contractual requirements.
• Coordinates, participates, initiates, and leads various special projects for ORCP, including public educational events, training events, and partnering projects.
• Assists with FCMP reviews and program support events and projects.
• Provides support for facilitated discussion for FCMP assessment and strategies.
• Performs other 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree