ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37010265

State of Florida; Pensacola (FL); On-site; USD 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest District, is seeking an Environmental Specialist I in Pensacola. This entry-level role performs scientific tasks under general supervision, focusing on site project management, compliance tracking, and stakeholder communications.

The role requires applying scientific principles, preparing reports, and coordinating regulatory reviews across groundwater, surface water, and soil cleanup programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Natural Science, Environmental Science or Engineering.
• 4 years of verifiable related experience.
• OSHA 24-hour HAZWOPER within 1 year; annual refresher thereafter.
• Background check and fingerprinting per Florida statutes.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional environmental work under general supervision.
• Manage site projects including compliance, enforcement, and tracking.
• Maintain databases for project tracking and communicate with site owners.
• Prepare reports and enforcement documents for district supervisors.
• Evaluate impacts using plans and data from geologic, hydrogeologic, and engineering sources.
• Coordinate technical reviews and provide assistance on water quality aspects.

Skills

Natural sciences

Regulations interpretation

Field inspections

Data collection & analysis

Engineering concepts

Communication skills

Integrity & accountability

Computer literacy

Education

Natural science degree

Engineering degree alternative

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Access

SharePoint

Outlook

Job description

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Requisition No:886510

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37010265

Environmental Specialist I
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest District

This position is located in Pensacola, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This is entry-level professional environmental work performing scientific tasks under general supervision. The job requires skills in applying instructions to accomplish different job functions and a general understanding of scientific principles.

This position is responsible for site project management involving compliance, enforcement, and tracking progress of assigned cleanup projects. Maintains databases for tracking assigned projects. Corresponds with site owners to assure that required or agreed upon dates are met. Meets with site owners to educate and assist with compliance. Prepares draft case reports, enforcement documents and correspondence or letter responses for various District supervisors. Responsible for a broad range of State and Federal Regulations, for determination of regulatory statues and coordination of compliance and enforcement issues for sites with potential or demonstrated ground water, surface water or soil contamination.

This position is responsible for evaluating impacts of assigned projects and activities provided in geologic, engineering, and hydro geologic assessment plans and reports, monitoring plans and data, and other documentation that has been submitted for public record involving the District’s Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, Cleanup and Petroleum Storage Sections. Develops, prepares, and presents technical reports to various district supervisors.

Coordinates and tracks the progress of technical reviews tasked to Bureau of Waste Cleanup for the Northwest District projects. The position is responsible for effectively communicating technical issues. And providing technical assistance for the water quality aspects of the waste management programs authorized by Chapter 376 and 403, Florida Statutes.

Represents the Department in meetings involving technical soil and water quality issues for the District’s Waste Management Program. Conducts field reconnaissance and site surveys. The position requires that the incumbent have 24 hours of safety training as required by OSHA 1910. L ZO(E) and subsequent annual 8-hour refresher training. Occasionally participates in training workshops and courses related to ground water management and protection issues and policies.

Performs other duties as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences
• Ability to understand and apply applicable State and Federal rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to conduct field inspections/investigations that may involve working outdoors for extended periods of time in temperatures and weather conditions typical of Florida and navigating areas with rough terrain.
• Skill in collecting, recording, and/or analyzing/evaluating scientific and technical data relating to contamination assessment, remediation, monitoring, and site closure.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze and interpret aerial photography, site plans and drawings.
• Knowledge of engineering design, construction, operations techniques, principles, and terminology.
• Ability to serve the public, DEP’s stakeholders and each other in a courteous and timely manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain effective and productive working relationships with others.
• Skill in dealing with conflicts, confrontations, and disagreements in a positive manner.
• Ability to effectively prepare, prioritize, and organize work, meetings, and projects to meet deadlines and quality expectations.
• Ability to demonstrate personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability.
• Skill and proficiency in computer operations and programs such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint and Outlook.

Other Job-Related Requirements for this Position:

• Requires initial OSHA 24-hour HAZWOPER to be completed within one year and OSHA 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher annually thereafter.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver License.
• Ability to travel overnight.
• Upon appointment must complete OSHA 24-hour HAZWOPER and OSHA 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher annually thereafter.
• At least 4 years of verifiable related experience in Environmental/Regulatory and or Engineering. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in Natural Science, Environmental Science or Engineering may be used as an alternative for the required 4 years of experience on a year-for-year basis. A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.
• Pursuant to the sections 110.1127 and 435.04, Florida Statutes, and DEP Directive 422, Background Investigation, is required to successfully complete a background and fingerprint check.

Pay:

Annual salary - $41,170.08

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy. DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where you will work:

The Northwest District is located along the Gulf Coast. We proudly serve 16 counties in the Florida panhandle including Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington. This district has three offices located in Pensacola, Panama City and Tallahassee. This position is available in Pensacola located downtown at 160 W. Government St. Pensacola, FL., 32502.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• 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 other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com );

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.Candidatesrequiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at [phone]. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.