ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37002380

State of Florida • WEST PALM BEACH, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This intermediate level environmental position, with guidance from the Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) Manager and Assistant Manager, acting as the Reef Resilience Coordinator, utilizes knowledge of environmental policies, procedures, and practices to provide technical assistance to CRCP. Reports to the CRCP Manager. Leads the planning and implementation of the Reef Resilience (RR) local action strategy (LAS) projects identified by the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Team and RR-related projects in the Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve (KJCAP) management plan and informs programmatic communications as needed. Leads the planning and implementation of projects that improve the understanding of impacts to Southeast Florida’s coral reefs from causes such as coral bleaching and disease, and informs future management strategies to restore coral reef habitats and increase reef resilience and adaptability. Ensures information exchange on topics related to reef resilience, disease, restoration, and any other pertinent information among CRCP staff to assist with project implementation. Works with numerous partners in both the public and private sectors to further the state's efforts in conserving and protecting marine resources in the KJCAP. Works collaboratively, fosters effective communication and exchanges information with intra- and interagency staff, SEFCRI Team members, interested stakeholders, and the general public. Works collaboratively and exchange information with CRCP staff, SEFCRI Team members, and all interested stakeholders. Maintains and establishes new partnerships with a variety of stakeholder groups including resource users, NGO’s, educational institutions, and government agencies. Participates in resilience and restoration-related meetings. Supports the coordination and development of restoration planning and disease and bleaching related disturbance monitoring for KJCAP. Collaborates with partners, the SEFCRI Team and local stakeholders to evaluate and implement adaptive management measures that promote KJCAP ecosystem recovery and resilience. Oversees coordination and implementation of the Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN) for coordinating marine incident response and the SEAFAN BleachWatch Program and observer network. Oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of the Annual Southeast Florida Reef Cleanups and the Southeast Florida Marine Debris Reporting and Removal Program. Maintains DEP Diver qualification as defined by the DEP Underwater Operations Manual, including current medical approval for diving. Participates in restoration and resilience related field work, as well as other CRCP related field work, as required. Develops and manages grants and/or contracts, provides oversight of contractor(s), tracks budgets and deliverables and ensures progress and completion of all projects, as appropriate. Prepares proposals, budgets, and contracts for assigned projects. Liaises with the Coral Protection and Restoration Program, as necessary. Maintains program and project files and records. Analyzes data, develops and maintains databases, prepares progress and financial reports, and facilitates annual review (and revision, if needed) of assigned core programs and projects. Organizes, facilitates, and participates in SEFCRI or non-SEFCRI related workshops and meetings. Ensures meeting minutes are recorded for all assigned program/project meetings and prepares meeting summaries. Assists with CRCP, KJCAP, and SEFCRI programmatic and strategic planning. Assists with the implementation of other SEFCRI projects and CRCP activities, as directed. Where appropriate, represents the DEP, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, CRCP, KJCAP, and the SEFCRI Team. Attends all necessary DEP, ORCP, CRCP, and SEFCRI meetings and functions. Attends training programs (where funds allow). Assists with education and outreach activities, as needed. Occasional weekend and evening work may be required to support CRCP outreach activities, attend meetings, and field work. Regular local travel throughout Southeast Florida and occasional long-distance travel may be required to perform these duties. May aid in the event of an emergency at DEP field offices, including pre-storm preparation, post-storm clean-up and replacement of stored goods to ready field office for operation after a storm; or other services assigned. Snorkels or scuba dives as required. Other duties as assigned.

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 coral reef resilience indicators and climate change adaptation planning.
• Knowledge of coral disease and restoration strategies.
• Knowledge of adaptive/sustainable coral reef ecosystems management.
• Experience managing program and project budgets and managing grants and contracts.
• Experience managing large, diverse stakeholder groups.
• Skill in math and analysis.
• Skill in organization, writing, and editing (both technical and colloquial).
• Skill in public speaking and meeting facilitation.
• Skill in PC computers, Microsoft Word, Excel, and 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 field work.
• Ability to prepare technical reports.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to formulate policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with a diverse range of people on a variety of topics.
• 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 plan, direct, implement, and 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 identify the stony coral and reef fish species of Southeast Florida.
• Ability to lift at least 35 lbs.
• At least five (5) 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.
• A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.
• 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 of Science degree in the marine environmental or biological sciences or a related field.
• Skill with ESRI ArcGIS Online and Survey123.
• Experience with citizen science and incident reporting and response programs.
• Knowledge of and experience with coral reef out-planting.
• Rescue and Nitrox scuba certifications

Responsibilities

• Leads the planning and implementation of the Reef Resilience (RR) local action strategy (LAS) projects identified by the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Team and RR-related projects in the Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve (KJCAP) management plan.
• Informs programmatic communications as needed.
• Leads the planning and implementation of projects that improve the understanding of impacts to Southeast Florida’s coral reefs from causes such as coral bleaching and disease.
• Informs future management strategies to restore coral reef habitats and increase reef resilience and adaptability.
• Ensures information exchange on topics related to reef resilience, disease, restoration, and any other pertinent information among CRCP staff to assist with project implementation.
• Works with numerous partners in both the public and private sectors to further the state's efforts in conserving and protecting marine resources in the KJCAP.
• Works collaboratively, fosters effective communication and exchanges information with intra- and interagency staff, SEFCRI Team members, interested stakeholders, and the general public.
• Maintains and establishes new partnerships with a variety of stakeholder groups including resource users, NGO’s, educational institutions, and government agencies.
• Participates in resilience and restoration-related meetings.
• Supports the coordination and development of restoration planning and disease and bleaching related disturbance monitoring for KJCAP.
• Collaborates with partners, the SEFCRI Team and local stakeholders to evaluate and implement adaptive management measures that promote KJCAP ecosystem recovery and resilience.
• Oversees coordination and implementation of the Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN) for coordinating marine incident response and the SEAFAN BleachWatch Program and observer network.
• Oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of the Annual Southeast Florida Reef Cleanups and the Southeast Florida Marine Debris Reporting and Removal Program.
• Maintains DEP Diver qualification as defined by the DEP Underwater Operations Manual, including current medical approval for diving.
• Participates in restoration and resilience related field work, as well as other CRCP related field work, as required.
• Develops and manages grants and/or contracts, provides oversight of contractor(s), tracks budgets and deliverables and ensures progress and completion of all projects, as appropriate.
• Prepares proposals, budgets, and contracts for assigned projects.
• Liaises with the Coral Protection and Restoration Program, as necessary.
• Maintains program and project files and records.
• Analyzes data, develops and maintains databases, prepares progress and financial reports, and facilitates annual review (and revision, if needed) of assigned core programs and projects.
• Organizes, facilitates, and participates in SEFCRI or non-SEFCRI related workshops and meetings.
• Ensures meeting minutes are recorded for all assigned program/project meetings and prepares meeting summaries.
• Assists with CRCP, KJCAP, and SEFCRI programmatic and strategic planning.
• Assists with the implementation of other SEFCRI projects and CRCP activities, as directed.
• Represents the DEP, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, CRCP, KJCAP, and the SEFCRI Team.
• Attends all necessary DEP, ORCP, CRCP, and SEFCRI meetings and functions.
• Attends training programs (where funds allow).
• Assists with education and outreach activities, as needed.
• May aid in the event of an emergency at DEP field offices, including pre-storm preparation, post-storm clean-up and replacement of stored goods to ready field office for operation after a storm; or other services assigned.
• Snorkels or scuba dives as required.
• 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree