Environmental Scientist II or III – Office of Environmental Assessment

Suwannee River Water Management District; Live Oak (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Florida retirement system

Deferred compensation

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid holidays

Generous vacation and sick leave

Parental leave

Life and AD&D insurance

Long-term disability

Education and training resources

Job summary

Suwannee River Water Management District seeks an Environmental Scientist II/III to support wetlands, water quality, and environmental resource projects in Florida. The role includes field inspections, data analysis, and technical reporting within the Office of Environmental Assessments.

Responsibilities cover field work, compliance reviews, and coordination with public agencies and applicants. The position emphasizes environmental stewardship with opportunities for professional certifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in natural or biological sciences is required
• Two years’ related experience with wetlands, plants, soils, or hydrology
• Certification as Wetland Evaluator must be obtained within one year
• Master’s degree preferred; may substitute for one year of required experience
• Engineering Intern certification may substitute for two years’ experience
• Valid driver’s license required
• Preferred certifications: FCCM, Wetland scientist, P.E./Geologist etc.

Responsibilities

• Assist the public through outreach, phone calls, and meetings to provide subject matter expertise or project requirements.
• Review project materials including rule interpretation, GIS review, and plan review.
• Coordinate field reviews and evaluate water quality, soils, vegetation, and hydrologic indicators.
• Support water quality monitoring network with data collection and QA/QC.
• Conduct biological monitoring, mapping, and reporting.
• Prepare technical staff reports and provide scientific support for projects.
• Conduct site visits and field work by land or water; liaise with the public and agencies.
• Ensure compliance with Florida District rules and participate in enforcement activities.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a natural or biological science

Master’s Degree preferred; may substitute for one year of required experience

Engineering Intern (E.I.) certification may substitute for two years’ experience

Certified Wetland Evaluator certification must be obtained within one year

Valid driver’s license

Florida certifications (preferred) e.g. FCCM, Wetland certifications

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Duties Include:

• Assist the public through outreach, answering phone calls and conducting meetings to provide subject matter expertise or project/application requirements.
• Review project and/or application materials including rule interpretation, GIS review, aerial interpretation, application correspondence, plan review, and database entry.
• Coordinates work teams to conduct field reviews of project or application materials, including evaluation of water quality, soils, vegetation, and/or hydrologic indicators.
• Perform data collection, data analysis, quality assurance, and quality control reviews to support the District’s water quality monitoring network.
• Perform biological monitoring work including mapping and monitoring.
• Prepare technical staff reports and provide scientific support for projects.
• Conduct site visits, inspections and field work by land or river.
• Act as a District liaison with the public, local governments, and applicants; attend agency meetings, public meetings, and trainings, and give presentations.
• Perform some of the following duties specific to the assigned District Office:

Specific to the Office of Environmental Assessments:

• The responsibilities for this position include ensuring compliance with and enforcing the District’s rules adopted pursuant to Ch. 373, Fla. Stat. In this regard, when required, this position shall do the following concerning possible rule violations: perform field inspections, prepare written reports, send inquiry/compliance letters, make recommendations on the issuance of stop work orders, make recommendations on whether rule violations exist, make recommendations on punitive and/or remedial actions to be taken. Therefore, this position is considered a code enforcement officer for this District.
• Identifying wetlands and determining the limits of jurisdictional wetlands through the evaluation of hydrophytic vegetation, hydrologic indicators, and hydric soils and verifying the landward extent of wetlands established by consultants.
• Performing desktop evaluations of site-specific characteristics including the National Wetlands Inventory, NRCS soil surveys, LiDAR data, etc.
• Technical wetland review of environmental resource and Works of the District permit applications, plans, narratives, and descriptions for completeness and accuracy.
• Determining the need for and, if necessary, requesting additional information to fully assess potential environmental impact of a project.
• Preparing technical staff reports recommending approval or denial of projects.
• Performing pre-application site inspections or in-house meetings; handling permit-related questions.
• Investigating and documenting complaints; and making recommendations to the Chief Engineer on how to resolve them.
• Managing compliance cases by coordinating with affected parties, consultants, attorneys, and other agencies to bring cases to resolution.
• Manage complaints by responding to phone calls, reviewing site history, conducting site visits, and corresponding with landowners and consultants.
• Recommend avoidance measures, and review mitigation projects for permit applicants in order to reduce detrimental impact of projects on the environment.
• Review and monitor wetland mitigation projects in support of the goal of ‘no net loss of wetland function’ in the District.
• Review permitted projects for compliance with permit conditions and District rules.
• Cross-train and assist staff in other District offices as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

In addition to the above mentioned duties and responsibilities, an Environmental Scientist III will also be expected to:

• Perform site visits, inspections and field work by land or water.
• Coordinate, lead, and/or conduct field work, including evaluation of water quality, soils, vegetation, and/or hydrologic indicators.
• Collect, compile, evaluate and analyze data, and prepare or assist with technical report writing to meet office goals and objectives.
• Develop, implement, and document Standard Operating Procedures, Quality Assurance Procedures, and Helpful Hints.
• Be able to perform all duties with moderate supervision.
• Perform some of the following duties specific to the assigned District Office:

Specific to the Office of Environmental Assessments:

• Manage Florida Department of Transportation Mitigation projects per 373.4137, F.S.
• Evaluate complex compliance cases.
• Evaluate wetland delineations and identifications.
• Evaluate Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) determinations.
• Recommend avoidance measures, and review mitigation projects for permit applicants in order to reduce detrimental impact of projects on the environment.
• Determine the need for and, if necessary, request additional information in order to fully assess the environmental rules for ERP applications.
• Prepare and deliver presentations on ERP topics at public meetings and education or outreach opportunities.
• Send inquiry/compliance letters, make recommendations on the issuance of stop work orders, make recommendations on whether rule violations exist, make recommendations on punitive and/or remedial actions to be taken.
• Conduct Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) determinations.
• Conduct wetland delineation and identification.

Minimum Qualifications:

Environmental Scientist II -

• Bachelor’s Degree in a natural or biological science.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ related experience with wetlands plants, soils, or hydrology.
• Certified Wetland Evaluator certification must be obtained within one (1) year.
• Engineering Intern (E.I.) certification in civil, environmental, hydraulic, agricultural, or water resources may substitute for two (2) years’ experience.
• Master’s Degree preferred; may substitute for one (1) year of required experience.
• Valid drivers’ license.
• Preferred Certifications based on the assigned office:
  • FDEP Water Quality SOP Certification
  • USCG Boating Safety
  • Professional Wetland Scientist Certification
  • Certified Soil Scientist
  • Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control certification
  • Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM)

In addition to the above-mentioned qualifications, Environmental Scientist III requires the following:

• Minimum of five (5) years’ related experience with wetlands, plants, soils, water quality, or hydrology.
• Preferred Experience
  • Master’s degree preferred; may substitute for one (1) year of required experience.
  • Experience with customer service and/or conflict resolution preferred.
  • Experience with ArcGIS and Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
  • Experience in water resource management preferred.
  • Experience with Florida Boating Safety preferred.
• Preferred Certifications:
  • Certified Floodplain Manager
  • Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control
  • Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner
  • Professional Geologist
  • Professional Engineer

Application Process:

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, a District employment application. Any application that is not complete will not receive consideration for the position. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the information requested on the application for purposes of qualification.

Additional Details:

Suwannee River Water Management District participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans will receive preference in employment and are encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans Preference/Drug Free/Tobacco Free Workplace

Salary: Environmental Scientist II $45,219.20 - $67,828.80; ES III $49,462.40 - $82,451.20
Starting salary commensurate with selected candidate's competencies and qualifications.

For helping to maintain our valuable water resources, we offer:

• Florida retirement system/retirement benefits
• Deferred compensation
• Work-life balance
• 9 paid holidays
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability
• Health savings & Health reimbursement accounts
• Prescription drug coverage & mail order program
• Employee assistance program
• Public service loan forgiveness qualified employer
• Tuition reimbursement
• State adoption benefit program qualified employer
• Training and development resources
• Innovative projects
• Advanced technologies