ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37010231

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

8d

About The Position

Overview: The Environmental Specialist II (Position Number 37010231) is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Water Quality Evaluation & TMDL Program, Watershed Assessment Section in Tallahassee. The position is responsible for the implementation of the Identification of Impaired Surface Waters (Chapter 62-303, Florida Administrative Code) by developing water quality assessment lists for the Northeast DEP District basins, working in coordination with basin team members and local stakeholders. The position can include local field sampling of surface waters to obtain data necessary to support water quality assessments. The role of this position is important to the agency’s mission to protect, restore, and maintain the health of Florida’s waters.

Primary Responsibilities: This intermediate environmental position uses knowledge and understanding of applicable rules, including but not limited to, the State Surface Water Quality Standards (Chapter 62-302, F.A.C.) and Identification of Impaired Surface Waters (Chapter 62-303, F.A.C.) to implement and review the water quality assessments. Knowledge of and proficiency with the IWR (Microsoft Access) database, ArcGIS, and statistical and worksheet programs (e.g. Microsoft Excel) are needed to perform these duties.
The incumbent assists in developing documentation on the assessment process and results including the preparation or review of 4c (Natural Conditions), 4d (Study List) supporting information, 4b (Reasonable Assurance) and 4e (Restoration Activity) documents. Participates and provides technical support to other programs and sections within the division in the development, evaluation, and attainment of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). Provides support to the basin team lead, section and program administrators by contributing to the creation of water quality summaries and maps, the analysis of technical data, and responds to public inquiries on the impairment status of basin specific waterbodies. Contributes to and attends public meetings and technical working group meetings with basin stakeholders to present assessment results, obtain additional data or relevant information, and address concerns or questions.
Additionally, the position may participate in sampling and monitoring activities to obtain data necessary to conduct water quality assessments and develop TMDLs. This includes training on DEP field monitoring SOPs and QA requirements including the collection of water and bioassessment samples, training on safe boating and trailering, designing and conducting field reconnaissance and surveys, and evaluating collected data.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of water quality analysis.
• Knowledge of water quality data collection principles and procedures.
• Knowledge and skill in the use of computers and software programs utilized for word processing, database management, statistical, and spreadsheet applications.
• Knowledge of water quality modeling techniques and mathematical and statistical procedures necessary to analyze data.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to participate in intensive field work conditions.
• At least five years of verifiable related experience in engineering, engineering sciences, chemistry, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, environmental policy, computer science, or public health. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, engineering sciences, chemistry, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, environmental policy, computer science, or public health 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.
• A Valid Driver License.
• Occasional overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with, and/or knowledge of the challenges unique to working with large datasets.
• Knowledge of bioassessment data collection and interpreting results.
• Proficient in functional use of geospatial applications including ESRI GIS, QGIS, Web Mapping Applications.
• Knowledge and experience in project management principles and techniques.
• Skill in using statistical programming languages including R, Python, or SAS to conduct data analysis and advanced statistical analyses.
• Skill in using Python to create ArcGIS or QGIS geospatial processing tools.
• Skill and experience of developing and using watershed and water quality models to characterize impaired waters and establish restoration targets (example: PLSM, HSPF, LSPC, WASP, ArcNLET, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Developing water quality assessment lists for the Northeast DEP District basins, working in coordination with basin team members and local stakeholders.
• Local field sampling of surface waters to obtain data necessary to support water quality assessments.
• Implement and review the water quality assessments.
• Assist in developing documentation on the assessment process and results including the preparation or review of 4c (Natural Conditions), 4d (Study List) supporting information, 4b (Reasonable Assurance) and 4e (Restoration Activity) documents.
• Participates and provides technical support to other programs and sections within the division in the development, evaluation, and attainment of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs).
• Provides support to the basin team lead, section and program administrators by contributing to the creation of water quality summaries and maps, the analysis of technical data, and responds to public inquiries on the impairment status of basin specific waterbodies.
• Contributes to and attends public meetings and technical working group meetings with basin stakeholders to present assessment results, obtain additional data or relevant information, and address concerns or questions.
• Participate in sampling and monitoring activities to obtain data necessary to conduct water quality assessments and develop TMDLs.

Benefits

• 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);
• Tuition waivers;
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool;
• And more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees