Environmental Specialist III

City of Clearwater; Clearwater (FL); On-site; USD 77,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Clearwater seeks an Environmental Specialist III to develop and implement water and natural resources programs. The role focuses on regulatory compliance, project management, and coordination with multiple agencies.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of experience, plus a valid Florida driver's license. The position supports resiliency and climate adaptation initiatives across city departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of professional environmental experience.
• Valid State driver's license required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and monitors compliance with environmental regulations and programs.
• Manages water quality projects, permits, and regulatory reporting.
• Reviews permit applications and drafts comments for agencies.
• Coordinates with City Departments and state/federal agencies on compliance and cleanup.
• Plans and implements resiliency, hazard mitigation, and adaptation initiatives.

Skills

Planning & coordination

Grant writing

Communication skills

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Geology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Ecology, Civil Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Planning, or related field

Tools

GIS software

Job description

THE CITY OF CLEARWATER IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future visa sponsorship. City of Clearwater will not sponsor employment visas (e.g., H-1B, or any other work authorization status).

Position Description

TARGET ENTRY SALARY: $77,018.34 - $80,869.25 DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS
Under limited direction, the Environmental Specialist III performs professional environmental work in the development and implementation of water and natural resources environmental programs within the City and its service area.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions : -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintains, manages, and monitors the City's compliance with various environmental regulations and agencies; manages MS4 permit, NPDES program, TMDL projects, and other water quality improvement projects; support CRS program.
• Manages, plans, reviews, and inspects work in regard to surface and subsurface land use management, water or ground water quality monitoring, and regulatory enforcement activities; educates staff and contractors about erosion control and illicit discharges.
• Reviews and analyzes new and renewal permit applications, prepares written comments on regulatory compliance, and submits to proper agencies; coordinates programs and initiatives
• Acts in a liaison capacity with other City Departments and State and Federal agencies; provides guidance and expertise regarding compliance, assessment, and cleanup regulations and expectations.
• Participates in the Development Review Committee and reviews future plans.
• Conducts and coordinates specialized environmental studies; monitors and manages environmentally sensitive sites and performs routine inspections.
• Initiates and provides projected management for water quality, energy savings, environmental enhancement, and resiliency projects; monitors both master plans and construction projects.
• Prepares annual environmental management plan for water use permit; prepares annual mitigation reports for wetland mitigation areas and drafts habitat assessments for City departments.
• Plans, coordinates, and implements resiliency, hazard mitigation, and adaptation initiatives; conducts vulnerability and flood risk assessments and recommends coastal resilience and adaptation measures for City infrastructure and operations.
• Researches, develops, and administers grant funded environmental and resiliency projects and programs; prepares grant applications and maintains programmatic, financial, and performance reporting required by funding agencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:
A valid State driver's license is required.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Geology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Ecology, Civil Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Planning, or related field AND four (4) years of professional experience in environmental science.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of

• General environmental science, resiliency, and stormwater/watershed management
• Hazard mitigation, flood risk reduction and adaptation planning, and coastal resilience principles and practices
• Federal, state, regional, and local grant programs and grant compliance, administration, and reporting requirements
• Biology, geography, geology, hydrology, and chemistry
• State and local environmental regulations and practices
• Mechanical systems and mapping software
• Groundwater and assessment of pollutant contamination
• Handling and disposal of hazardous materials
• Civil engineering related to resource management and protection
• Building materials and methods
• Street, sidewalk, utility, and drainage construction
• City specifications for building
• General office policies and procedures; computers and general office equipment

Skill in

• Planning, coordinating, and implementing environmental and resiliency programs and projects
• Understanding and applying basic Civil engineering principles as they relate to water resource management and protection
• Researching, developing and administering grant funded projects and programs
• Negotiating and communicating complex information
• Conducting studies, research, and analysis
• Responding to issues and complaints
• Completing tasks given both orally and in writing
• Maintaining detailed files and records
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with Project Managers, consultants, contractors, and the general public
• Operating a computer and related software