ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37020840

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL Position Overview and Responsibilities: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III (37020840) EVERGLADES RESTORATION-PERMITTING AND COMPLIANCE OFFICE OF WATER POLICY & ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION The career service position fulfills a critical role in processing and issuing Everglades restoration permits and ensuring restoration success, by leading and facilitating timely review of permit applications and post permit issuance compliance submittals by utilizing existing knowledge, skills and abilities and the expertise of a team of technical professionals. The incumbent will be required to work 40-hour work weeks, Monday through Friday, and be present for work between the core hours of 9AM – 3PM on site at your workstation, unless on travel. This position performs professional work implementing permitting and compliance program support activities for the Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration, Everglades Restoration permitting section, in accordance with Chapters 403 and 373, Florida Statutes, and all Chapters in Florida Administrative Codes used to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program, and the Everglades Forever Act, including those administered by the Environmental Resource Permitting Program (ERP) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. This position will evaluate potential environmental impacts and effects on water quality and surrounding ecosystems which result from construction and operations of large-scale civil works projects including reservoirs, impoundments, stormwater treatment areas, and engineering features designed to restore a more natural distribution of water flow, and changes to the existing regional surface water management system of canals and flood control structures. The position requires the ability to rapidly complete reviews of permitting materials in accordance with applicable statutes and rules, to determine whether or not applications contain sufficient information to demonstrate that the benefits, goals and objectives of restoration activities will outweigh potential environmental impacts and are conducted in a manner consistent with Florida law. The position requires the ability to understand and describe the complex, interdisciplinary relationships between water quality, wetland impacts, threatened and endangered species, hydrology, water supply and flood control, engineering, and contaminants issues, and consider and apply nuances associated with State and Federal law.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences
• Chapters 120, 373, and 403, Florida Statutes, as related to the permitting requirements of this position
• environmental resource permitting rules: Rules 62-4, 302,340,343,620 and 40E-1; 2, 4, 20, 40, and 41 F.A.C. as related to the permitting and compliance requirements of this position
• potential environmental impacts which result from construction and operations of restoration and water supply and flood control projects
• environmental policy, regulation, and permitting procedures
• biological, chemical, and physical processes related to the evaluation of proposed activities affecting the greater South Florida Ecosystem
• Skill in: communication, coordination, and technical writing
• use of computer software including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access
• organizing and maintaining project files, tracking spreadsheets and databases
• managing multiple projects of a highly complex and technical nature
• applying and teaching applicable State of Florida and Federal environmental statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• teamwork and developing and maintaining effective working relationships internally and with stakeholders
• independent planning, organizing, and prioritizing a complex workload to ensure completion of high-quality work assignments with minimal or no supervision
• presenting and expressing ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience
• Ability to: exercise flexibility, resiliency, and a positive attitude
• use logic and reasoning to frame and focus issues, reach conclusions, and develop recommendations for issue resolution to management
• adapt to changing priorities and modify behavior and work activities in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles
• solve problems and make decisions
• represent the Department in a professional, and courteous manner
• evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data in order to assess environmental impacts
• lead and facilitate meetings
• Valid driver’s license.
• Travel overnight.
• At least 4 years of verifiable related experience. Post-secondary degrees in one of the natural or physical sciences or related fields 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.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferably in engineering, environmental science, or one of the natural sciences.
• Knowledge of environmental issues and laws, especially as they relate to water and ecosystem issues in Florida.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office programs, and data management.
• Detailed oriented.
• Practices a growth mindset.

Responsibilities

• Permitting & Compliance: Serves as Senior Permit Lead. Provides permitting expertise and mentors permit leads on permitting related issues Assists in the development of programmatic permitting materials. Coordinates with an interdisciplinary team to process restoration permits to the South Florida Water Management District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other entities. Reviews and processes various regulatory authorization requests in a timely and accurate manner. Analyzes and evaluates complex interdisciplinary projects applicable to proposed restoration activities under CERPRA, EFA, and NEEPP in accordance with applicable statutes, rules, and DEP policy and procedures. Performs necessary post-permit issuance activities including permit modifications, permit renewals, letter authorizations, and permit maintenance and tracking. Processes operational compliance items and coordinates with compliance staff to ensure construction and operational activities are in compliance with permitted activities.
• Programmatic Consistency: Provides oversight to ensure programmatic consistency, high quality work products, and consistent Department message for all Everglades Restoration permitting section activities conducted out of Tallahassee, and Southeast District Offices. Assists the Environmental Administrator in the development of guidance, policy, and procedures associated with implementation of Everglades Restoration permitting section efforts. Identifies areas of need and ways to improve communication and coordination to promote efficiency in administering all programmatic functions including planning, permitting, and compliance processes. Reviews planning, permitting, compliance, regulatory documents and programmatic documents prepared by others. Conducts independent timely review of regulatory documents including, and not limited to, permit applications. Requests for Additional Information, permit conditions, Notice of Intent, letter authorizations, and public notices. Assists with training co-workers on these activities.
• Administrative Record Keeping: Completes written reports, creates, organizes, and maintains administrative files, and assists with development of work processes to improve proficiencies and ensure programmatic consistency. Tracks permitting deadlines, prepares and maintains documents for review within timeframes specified by rules and statutes, section guidance manuals, and per Environmental Administrator. Updates permitting spreadsheets and databases, maintains and organizes electronic and hard copy files in an organized manner and in accordance with timelines listed in guidance documents and per Environmental Administrator.
• Communication: Participate and work effectively as a mentor, facilitator, and member of program teams. Serves as Department representative regarding CERP, EFA, NEEPP, and other related restoration activities in both internal and interagency meetings. Effectively coordinates with internal and external agency staff to facilitate communication and ensure timely review and approval of Everglades Restoration permitting items. Other teams may be created as needed to resolve process or workflow inefficiencies.
• Other: Mentors and leads teammates, assists with interviewing, and training as needed. Attend workshops and training, as required. Some limited out-of-town travel may be required.
• Performs other related duties as required by supervisor.

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 (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Tuition waivers;

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees