OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37979225

State of Florida • NAPLES, FL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The OPS Environmental Specialist III coordinates a community science restoration monitoring program at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR), located in Naples, Florida. The program monitors the effects of hydrologic restoration on communities and supports habitat restoration in the Florida coastal zone. The specialist works with a contracted restoration expert, the Coastal Training Program Coordinator, volunteers, students, and community members to plan, conduct, and evaluate monitoring and training activities.

The position also supports community engagement, outreach, and partnerships; maintains monitoring and volunteer-training databases; oversees collection and reporting of data; and helps document transferable best management practices. Additional duties include developing project-success metrics and adaptive-management strategies, supporting reporting for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, assisting Stewardship and Coastal Training Program activities, and contributing to research and technical writing as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable biological sciences field or equivalent experience.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate vehicles safely.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Knowledge of physical and natural science terminology, principles, and analytical techniques.
• Knowledge and experience working on coastal conservation and habitat restoration issues.
• Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret biological and resource data and prepare technical reports.
• Proficiency with personal computers and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and to lead or facilitate discussions with diverse audiences.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to interact with the public tactfully and courteously.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments with little oversight and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency with Geographic Information System methods, particularly ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
• Grant writing skills.
• Experience overseeing seasonal interns and volunteers engaged in conservation activities.
• Knowledge and experience in grant development, writing, and project management.
• Ability to manage grant-related tasks, including aligning proposals with funding sources and stakeholders, developing project selection criteria and performance measures, reviewing stakeholder proposals, supporting performance reporting, and addressing required permitting.
• Technical writing skills supporting conservation and restoration proposal development, project monitoring, or resource management plans and products.
• Knowledge of coastal-zone laws, regulations, and policies, shoreline management, and habitat-restoration permitting.
• Experience in regional habitat restoration or other conservation-related activities.
• Demonstrated experience in coastal habitat management and restoration, particularly concerning environmental change, adaptation, and mitigation.
• Meeting facilitation training or experience leading collaborative processes.
• CPR, AED, and First Aid certification.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate a community science restoration monitoring program to assess restoration activities in communities undergoing hydrologic restoration.
• Work with a contracted restoration expert and the Coastal Training Program Coordinator to design, conduct, and evaluate monitoring training for Reserve volunteers and interested community members.
• Follow abiotic and biotic restoration monitoring plans developed with the contracted expert.
• Maintain and improve data collection and management databases, including the community science volunteer training database.
• Implement pre- and post-restoration monitoring efforts with volunteers.
• Oversee data collection, observations, and reporting.
• Assist with upkeep and maintenance of equipment used in the community science restoration monitoring program.
• Document and establish best management practices that can be transferred to future Florida coastal-zone restoration projects.
• Further develop a community engagement plan and assist with outreach related to Reserve restoration projects as directed.
• Develop creative opportunities to recruit volunteers and community members to advocate for and participate in the monitoring program.
• Create outreach materials for ongoing and planned restoration projects.
• Engage and mentor students in habitat restoration and community engagement.
• Create regional and statewide partnerships around estuarine restoration practices and citizen science programs.
• Develop and track project-success metrics, propose adaptive-management strategies, and support management and reporting of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding.
• Work collaboratively across departments, including Research, Education, Stewardship, Coastal Training Program, Communication, and Volunteer departments, as activities and resources allow.
• Support the Stewardship department with restoration monitoring and technical assistance as requested.
• Assist the Coastal Training Program Team with trainings, workshops, technical assistance, and implementation of related collaborative projects and concepts.
• Assist with research and technical writing as needed, including technical reports, project information sheets, scientific poster projects, and grant proposals.
• Perform other work as instructed and required.

Benefits

• Participation in state group insurance, subject to eligibility requirements.
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax-deferred retirement savings plan).
• Flexible Spending Accounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level