OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37979225

State of Florida • NAPLES, FL

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in Naples, Florida, and is part of the Environmental Protection agency. The role involves overseeing a restoration monitoring protocol for a community science monitoring program, maintaining a training and database, and engaging students in habitat restoration and community engagement. Key responsibilities include coordinating the community science restoration monitoring program, designing and conducting training for volunteers, following monitoring plans, improving data collection and management, and assisting with equipment maintenance. The role also involves developing a community engagement plan, creating outreach materials, mentoring students, and building regional partnerships. Additional duties include tracking project success metrics, supporting management of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding, collaborating with various departments, and assisting with research and technical writing tasks.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences
• Knowledge and experience working in coastal conservation and habitat restoration issues
• Data collection and analysis principles and procedures
• Report writing, both technical and general
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret biological and resource data and prepare technical reports.
• Proficiency with using personal computers and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to communicate effectively (oral & written), and lead/facilitate discussions with diverse audiences; effectively communicate to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to communicate and work well alone, as well as in teams.
• Skilled with interaction with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate working assignments with little oversight; highly effective communication (verbal and written); establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Safe operation of vehicles.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license.
• Bachelor’s degree in applicable biological sciences field or equivalent experience
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Nice To Haves

• Grant writing skills are a plus.
• Proficiency with Geographic Information System (GIS) methods is highly desirable (use of ARC-Pro & ARC-online).
• Experience providing oversight of seasonal interns and volunteers engaged in conservation activities.
• Knowledge and experience in grant development, writing, and project management.
• Ability to manage various tasks associated with grants management including proposal alignment with funding sources and stakeholders, development of project selection criteria and performance measures, review of stakeholder proposals, support development and submission of project performance reporting and required permitting.
• Skilled in technical writing to support conservation/restoration proposal development, project monitoring, or resource management plans and products.
• Knowledge of coastal zone laws, regulations, and policies, as well as shoreline management and habitat restoration permitting.
• Experience working in regional habitat restoration and/or other conservation related activities.
• Demonstrated experience in coastal habitat management and restoration, with an emphasis on environmental change (adaptation and mitigation).
• Meeting facilitation training or experience leading collaborative processes.
• CPR/AED/ First Aid certification.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the operation of a restoration monitoring protocol for a community science monitoring program
• Maintain and update a community science monitoring training and database
• Engage students in the habitat restoration process and community engagement
• Coordinate a community science restoration monitoring program to determine the effects of restoration activities on communities undergoing hydrologic restoration within the Reserve.
• Design, conduct, and evaluate citizen science restoration monitoring training for Reserve volunteers or interested community members.
• Follow comprehensive abiotic and biotic restoration monitoring plans developed with the contracted expert.
• Maintain and improve data collection and management database.
• Maintain a community science volunteer training database.
• Implement pre- and post- restoration monitoring efforts from volunteers.
• Oversee data collection, observations, and reporting.
• Assist with upkeep/maintenance of all equipment for the community science restoration monitoring program.
• Document and establish best management practices transferable to future restoration projects on the Florida coastal zone.
• Further development of a community engagement plan
• Assist as directed by supervisor to address Reserve’s needs related outreach for the community relating to the Reserve restoration projects.
• Providing creative opportunities to recruit volunteers and interested community members to advocate and participate in the restoration monitoring program.
• Create outreach materials for on-going and planned restoration projects.
• Engage and mentor students in the habitat restoration process and community engagement.
• Create regional and state-wide partnerships around estuarine restoration practices and citizen science programs.
• Develop and track metrics of project success, propose adaptive management strategies, and to help support the management and reporting of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding.
• Work collaboratively across sectors (including but not limited to the Research, Education, Stewardship, Coastal Training Program, Communication, and Volunteer departments) with activities as directed and as time and resources allow.
• Support the Stewardship department with restoration monitoring and technical assistance as requested.
• Assist the Coastal Training Program Team with trainings and workshop activities such as providing technical assistance and implementation of related Collaborative Projects and concepts.
• As needed will assist with the research & technical writing tasks (related activities may include: technical reports, project information sheets, and preparation and presentation of scientific poster projects, grant proposals).
• Perform all other work as instructed and required.

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: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level