Job Description

Requisition No: 857614 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37020990

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020990 

Salary: $52,530.04 

Posting Closing Date: 08/11/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator 

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

STATE OF FLORIDA

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

** THIS IS AN ANTICIPATED VACANCY**

This position is located in West Palm Beach

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection protects, conserves and manages the state’s natural resources and enforces its environmental laws. Each position works together as a whole to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources.

This is a first level intermediate environmental position performing professional work and specialized technical tasks under limited supervision in the district’s Compliance Assurance Program (CAP)/Permitting Program. The job requires applying scientific understanding to analyze problems of a specialized nature. In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the Department’s Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.

Facility Compliance

In general, this position will conduct a variety of inspections and/or file reviews of low to moderately complex facilities and take action to resolve complaints.

• Plans and conduct inspections, site visits, and/or other required field work, or conduct records reviews necessary for compliance evaluations. This includes, but is not limited to, reviewing permitting files, reports and other documents; as well as performing calculations and technical reviews. When necessary, make enforcement recommendations to the supervisor.
• Provides compliance assistance to regulated facilities before, during, and after inspections.
• Conducts follow up visits as needed to assist facilities with returning to compliance without enforcement.
• Responds to complaints in a prompt and effective manner, investigates, and takes steps to resolve the matter.
• When necessary, recommend enforcement action. Drafts enforcement documents. Coordinates and leads enforcement meetings.

• Conceives, supports, participates, and/or assists in the execution of compliance assistance workshops for the regulated community and District employee cross training.

Training

• Participates and assists with internal training events/activities to further develop the essential skills needed to determine the compliance status of regulated facilities. This includes participating in safety events, job shadowing, on the job training, and team building initiatives as directed by management.
• Is a self-advocate for training and partners with appropriate district staff to learn about multiple DEP program areas.

Report Processing

• Produces timely and accurate documentation of inspections, site visits, or field work.
• Enters inspection documentation, compliance data and resolution actions into the designated database.
• Reviews required reports, test reports, and notices for regulated facilities. Ensures the reviews are accurate, completed timely, and are entered into the designated database. Reports are to be processed in accordance with established program rules, requirements, and policies.
• May need to snorkel and when performed must adhere to the DEP Snorkeling Policy and Directive 710 and Motor Vehicles/Watercraft Assignment and Utilization Directive 620.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
• Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to prepare technical and programmatic reports.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers, computer programs, spreadsheets, industry database applications and various electronic devices.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to understand and follow legislative policy direction as established in Florida Statutes.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to work independently or in a team.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques, improve procedures, and make sound decisions.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time in temperatures and weather conditions typical of South Florida.
• Ability to perform field inspections including climbing ladders and stairs, walking on slopes, lifting and carrying 40 pounds over a distance of up to 100 yards.
• Ability to use safety equipment.
• Ability to conduct and complete work assignments without close supervision.
• Ability to use safety equipment and complete a 24-hour HAZWOPER course as applicable.
• Certification upon appointment or within 6 months of appointment as a Certified Wetland Evaluator (CWE) as applicable.
• Must have prior approval and meet the snorkeling / skin diving validation requirements in the DEP Underwater Operations Manual, as applicable.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver License
• Ability to travel, overnight if required
• Certification upon appointment or within 6 months of appointment as a Certified Wetland Evaluator (CWE) as applicable
• Ability to use safety equipment and complete a 24-hour HAZWOPER course, as applicable
• At least four (4) years of verifiable related experience in a science related work field. Post-secondary degrees 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.

Position of Special Trust Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

Pay:

$ 52,530.04

Our Organization and Mission: 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s leading 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:

This position is located in West Palm Beach Florida. West Palm Beach is Palm Beach County's capital city and its cultural center. Its active downtown stretches from a scenic pier on the Lake Worth Lagoon to a waterfront Great Lawn, which hosts a weekly green market, outdoor concerts and this season a 35-foot-tall holiday sandcastle. Dozens of local beaches provide easy access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Several State Parks as well as National Parks are in the immediate area as well.

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 );
• Tuition waivers.
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit

To learn more about the DEP Southeast District office, please access the following link: 

Special Notes:

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:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

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. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 245-2511. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

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