ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 42003308

State of Florida • Dundee, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a professional team-oriented intermediate level position under the direction of the Supervisor located in the Hardee County Field Office. The Environmental Specialist II will assist in implementing Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Best Management Practices (BMP) program established by the Florida Watershed Restoration Act by working with agricultural producers to enroll, implement and verify compliance with BMPs.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent and one (1) year of experience in agriculture or environmental science; or
• A high school diploma or its equivalent and six (6) months of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or
• A bachelor's degree (4 years) in agriculture or environmental science from an accredited college or university.
• Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
• Ability to access digital information and prepare documents using a personal computer with basic understanding of the internet, GIS, Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office products including Outlook scheduling.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices and techniques related to agricultural BMPs and conservation including nutrient management, irrigation management and water resource protection.
• Ability to interact with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently to plan, organize, coordinate and complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to conduct inspections in agricultural production areas with uneven ground.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct BMP enrollments with agricultural producers using commodity specific manuals, checklists and other tools according to the Enrollment Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This includes performing on-site field evaluations of agricultural operations to identify and implement applicable BMPs and conservation practices.
• Effectively communicate the producer’s obligation under the BMP program as defined by FS 403.067, FAC 5M-1 and any other site-specific statutes and rules.
• Identify applicable projects and practices for cost share and implementation.
• Assist with conducting Implementation Verification (IV) site visits every 2 years for enrolled producers according to the IV SOP, as assigned by supervisor.
• Perform on-site field evaluations of agricultural operations to confirm compliance with their site specific BMPs as established during the enrollment and updating enrollment to reflect changes in the operation.
• Analyze fertilizer records for compliance with University of Florida-IFAS (UF-IFAS) nutrient application rates and the evaluation and collection of producer’s nutrient data.
• Determine compliance with the BMP program and may involve the implementation of corrective measures by the producer.
• Assist producers with submitting cost share applications for qualifying projects that provide improve water quality and/or water conservation.
• Manage producer cost share agreements in accordance with the applicable cost share contracts and the Cost-Share SOP.
• Verify implementation of cost share projects and submit requests for reimbursement.
• Assist in delivery of information to and input from the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, resource conservation and development districts, UF-IFAS technical assistance needs, regulatory benefits, research and demonstration, and other aspects of basin-specific plans.
• Assist Supervisor by helping plan, and then participate in meetings, workshops, field days, and distribution of printed and electronic materials.
• Perform other work 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.
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level