ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A state environmental agency in Florida seeks an Environmental Specialist II to oversee the permitting process for Everglades restoration projects. The role requires a minimum of 4 years of experience in environmental science and expertise in managing regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will evaluate environmental impacts, coordinate with federal and state agencies, and maintain detailed administrative records. This position emphasizes strong communication and technical writing skills and is essential for protecting Florida's ecosystems.

Qualifications

• 4 years of related experience in engineering, environmental science, or natural sciences.
• Ability to work independently and manage complex workloads.
• Knowledge of Florida environmental statutes and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Process and issue Everglades restoration permits.
• Evaluate environmental impacts of construction projects.
• Coordinate with various agencies on regulatory compliance.

Skills

Communication

Technical writing

Project management

Environmental policy

Education

Bachelor’s in Environmental Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database management tools

Job description

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

EVERGLADES RESTORATION-PERMITTING AND COMPLIANCE

OFFICE OF WATER POLICY & ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION

The career service position fulfills a critical role in processing and issuing Everglades restoration permits and ensuring restoration success, by leading and facilitating timely review of permit applications and post permit issuance compliance submittals by utilizing existing knowledge, skills and abilities and the expertise of a team of technical professionals. The incumbent will be required to work 40-hour work weeks, Monday through Friday, and be present for work between the core hours of 9AM – 3PM on site at your workstation, unless on travel.

This position performs intermediate professional work implementing permitting and compliance program support activities for the office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration (OWPER) section, in accordance with Chapters 403 and 373, Florida Statutes, and all Chapters in Florida Administrative Codes used to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP), the Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) program, the State permitting Program and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.

This position will evaluate potential environmental impacts and effects on water quality and surrounding ecosystems which result from construction and operation of large-scale civil works projects including reservoirs, impoundments, stormwater treatment areas, and engineering features designed to restore a more natural distribution of water flow, and changes to the existing regional surface water management system of canals and flood control structures.

The position requires the ability to rapidly complete the review of permitting materials in accordance with applicable statutes and rules to determine whether or not applications contain sufficient information to demonstrate that the benefits, goals and objectives of restoration activities will outweigh potential environmental impacts and are conducted in a manner consistent with Florida Law. The position requires the ability to understand and describe the complex, interdisciplinary relationships between water quality, wetland impacts, threatened and endangered species, hydrology, water supply and flood control, engineering, and contaminants issues, and consider and apply nuances associated with State and Federal law.

Permitting and Compliance:

Provides permitting and compliance expertise on all OWPER related projects. Assists in the development of programmatic permitting materials. Coordinates with an interdisciplinary team to process restoration permits to the South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, and other entities. Reviews and processes various regulatory authorization requests in accordance with OWPER guidance documents supervisors’ instruction. Analyzes and evaluates complex interdisciplinary projects applicable to proposed restoration activities per CERPRA, EFA, NEEPP, ERP, State permitting and NPDES statutes and rules and DEP policy and procedures. Performs post-permit issuance activities including permit modifications, extensions, letter authorizations, and processing permit deliverables. Processes operational compliance items and coordinates with compliance staff to ensure construction and operational activities are in compliance with permitted activities.

Program Support:

Support the planning, implementation and technical aspects of projects and project components developed under the CERPRA, EFA, NEEPP, ERP, State permitting and NPDES statutes, rules, and other programmatic restoration initiatives. Research statutes, rules, policies, and procedures related to restoration, environmental protection, water policy, and water resource management and determine applicability to program activities.

Administrative Record Keeping:

Completes written reports, creates, organizes, and maintains administrative files. Tracks permitting and compliance deadlines and prepares documents for review within timeframes specified by rules, statutes, guidance documents, and manager. Updates permitting and compliance spreadsheets and databases, maintains and organizes electronic and hard copy folders of documents and files in an organized manner. Performs file audits to ensure compliance with Chapter 119 F.S. Tracks and maintains status of assigned projects.

Communication:

Participate and work effectively as a facilitator, and member of program teams. Acts as Department representative in meetings and other activities together with Federal, State, and local agency staff regarding OWPER responsibilities and restoration activities. Professionally, and effectively coordinates with internal and external agency staff to facilitate communication and ensure efficient review, approval, and processing of permitting and compliance activities.

Other:

Attends workshops and training, as required. Some limited out-of-town travel may be required.

Performs other related duties as requested.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences
• Chapters 120, 373, and 403, Florida Statutes, as related to the permitting requirements of this position
• environmental resource permitting rules: Rules 62-4, 302,340,343,620 and 40E-1; 2, 4, 20, 40, and 41 F.A.C. as related to the permitting and compliance requirements of this position
• potential environmental impacts which result from construction and operations of restoration and water supply and flood control projects
• environmental policy, regulation, and permitting procedures
• biological, chemical, and physical processes related to the evaluation of proposed activities affecting the greater South Florida Ecosystem

Skill in:

• communication, coordination, and technical writing
• use of computer software including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access
• organizing and maintaining project files, tracking spreadsheets and databases
• at presenting and expressing ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience

Ability to:

• successfully work in teams and develop and maintain effective working relationships internally and with stakeholders
• independently plan, organize, and prioritize a complex workload to ensure completion of high-quality work assignments with minimal supervision
• manage multiple projects of a highly complex and technical nature
• apply applicable State of Florida and Federal environmental statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• exercise flexibility, resiliency, and a positive attitude
• use logic and reasoning to frame and focus issues, reach conclusions, and develop recommendations for issue resolution to management
• adapt to changing priorities and modify behavior and work activities in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles
• solve problems and make decisions
• represent the Department in a professional and courteous manner
• evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data in order to assess environmental impacts
• lead and facilitate meetings

Minimum Qualifications:

• Maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Travel overnight as required.
• At least 4 years of verifiable related experience in engineering, environmental science, or one of the natural sciences or experience in the natural sciences involving project management, professional writing, environmental policy and permitting procedures. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the natural or physical sciences may be used as an alternative for the required 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferably in engineering, environmental science, or one of the natural sciences.
• Knowledge of environmental issues and laws, especially as they relate to water and ecosystem issues in Florida.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office programs, and data management.
• Detailed oriented.
• Practices a growth mindset.