ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37021143

State of Florida • TALLAHASSEE, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Specialist III is an intermediate environmental professional position with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in Tallahassee. The role implements the Operator Certification Program (OCP) under Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, and helps develop and implement new program components authorized by the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996, including an operator license reciprocity program.

The position reviews and processes licensure and examination applications, verifies applicants meet applicable requirements, documents application deficiencies, issues licenses, and maintains secure, accurate records. It also supports examination development and administration, program reporting and correspondence, database and financial recordkeeping, and communication with operators about program rules and policies. The specialist participates in relevant meetings and training activities, helps review projects, rule development, and grant applications, keeps up with applicable requirements, and assists with other assigned section and division work.

This is an internal-agency-only position. It is designated a Position of Special Trust, requiring successful completion of background screening. A valid driver’s license and ability to travel overnight are required.

Requirements

• Five years of related professional experience; post-secondary degrees may substitute for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to conduct overnight travel.
• Knowledge of state and federal permitting requirements and procedures.
• Ability to work independently and manage technical projects.
• Ability to understand wastewater treatment concepts and principles.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to prioritize workload.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to research and understand state, federal, and local wastewater rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of computer-based data retrieval systems.
• Successful completion of background screening for a Position of Special Trust.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a science-related field.
• Knowledge and experience implementing drinking water, wastewater, reuse, permitting, licensure, and compliance requirements.
• Experience interpreting, applying, and developing environmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Understanding of incident command protocols during emergency events.
• Knowledge of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, permitting, and licensure rules.
• Ability to speak publicly and/or conduct training for groups ranging from 15 to 400 people.
• Ability to plan and conduct training sessions.

Responsibilities

• Implement the Operator Certification Program under applicable Florida law and assist with developing and implementing new program components, including an operator license reciprocity program.
• Assist with examination development, scheduling, and administration while maintaining strict control of examination materials and related confidential documents.
• Review licensure applications for accuracy and completeness, verify experience and examination requirements, calculate experience hours, document adherence and deficiencies, communicate incomplete applications, issue licenses to qualified applicants, and enter completed files into the electronic document storage system.
• Review examination applications for accuracy and completeness, verify training and educational requirements, communicate approval or deficiencies, document application status, and maintain complete files and confidential examination scores.
• Prepare and maintain reports, records, correspondence, memoranda, operator-file documentation, and recommendations related to policy and program administration.
• Assist with maintaining the program database and advise operators on program rules and policies.
• Log and track financial activities as needed, process refunds, print receipts, and maintain Certification Office expense records in Excel.
• Answer program telephone calls; log and distribute mail; prepare, copy, fax, and distribute correspondence and other materials.
• Participate in relevant conferences, workshops, and similar activities.
• Assist in reviewing proposed projects, rule development, and applications for federal grants or assistance, and stay informed about state and federal requirements affecting the OCP.
• Assist with intra-Division coordinated projects requiring section expertise, as assigned by the supervisor.
• Perform other related duties.

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 supplemental insurance.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions.
• Tuition waivers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed