OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37940263

State of Florida • CRYSTAL RIVER, FL

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, is seeking a motivated OPS Environmental Specialist II to join the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve team. This position plays an important role in protecting and managing one of Florida’s most ecologically significant coastal ecosystems through water quality monitoring, community engagement, marine debris projects, and habitat monitoring. You will coordinate with internal and external partners to share data resources, expand monitoring networks, and avoid duplication. The data collection and long-term monitoring you will perform directly support the management goals and objectives of the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves and its partners. This position is primarily responsible for conducting field and office activities associated with long-term water quality monitoring throughout the one million acres of Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve and St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The successful candidate will collect, process, analyze, and manage environmental data that supports resource management decisions and long-term ecological monitoring. Additional responsibilities include assisting with habitat monitoring, marine debris removal efforts, and other conservation initiatives as needed. This position is field oriented and requires working outdoors in varying weather conditions, operating trucks and vessels, and working in marine environments.

Requirements

• At least six years of verifiable related experience in water quality monitoring, aquatic resource management, environmental monitoring, marine science, environmental education, or a closely related field. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in biological sciences, marine sciences, aquatic sciences, environmental sciences, ecology, natural resource management, or a closely related field may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Knowledge of estuarine, coastal, and marine ecology.
• Knowledge of standard field sampling techniques used to collect physical, chemical, and biological data.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel or other programming languages to manage and analyze large datasets and automate workflows.
• Ability to follow laboratory safety procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Experience in collecting, organizing, managing, and interpreting environmental datasets.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written.
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively through written reports, presentations, and public outreach.
• Ability to work collaboratively with agency staff, partner organizations, and the public.
• Experience providing educational presentations and engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve a singular goal.
• Ability to learn and identify individual species of seagrasses, macroalgae, sponges, corals, and other common flora and fauna of Florida’s estuaries.
• Ability to snorkel and assess submerged habitats with a mask, snorkel, and fins in varying environmental conditions.
• Ability to use a compound microscope for identification of microorganisms.
• Ability to bend, squat, lift and carry up to 50 lb., and climb in and out of trucks and vessels.
• Ability to withstand extreme hot and cold weather, long field days, and biting insects.
• Ability to spend extended time with coworkers in vehicles to travel to field sites.
• Ability to complete a recognized Florida Boating Safety Course within the first 90 days of employment.
• Current Open Water SCUBA certification (or higher) from a nationally or internationally recognized diving organization.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with water quality monitoring equipment including YSI EXO or similar multiparameter sondes.
• Experience collecting and analyzing environmental monitoring data.
• Experience with aquatic habitat monitoring including seagrasses, submerged aquatic vegetation, and hardbottom habitats.
• Experience operating and trailering boats.
• Experience developing environmental education or natural resource outreach programs.
• Experience coordinating volunteers or community stewardship events.
• Experience with marine debris prevention, removal, or habitat restoration projects.
• Experience using ArcGIS, R, RStudio, or similar analytical software.

Responsibilities

• Conducting field and office activities associated with long-term water quality monitoring.
• Collecting, processing, analyzing, and managing environmental data.
• Assisting with habitat monitoring.
• Assisting with marine debris removal efforts.
• Assisting with other conservation initiatives as needed.
• Coordinating with internal and external partners to share data resources, expand monitoring networks, and avoid duplication.

Benefits

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements).
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan, for more information, please visit Corebridge Financial).
• Flexible Spending Accounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree