Requisition No: 809124
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENGINEERING SPECIALIST IV - 37021089
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 37021089
Salary: $51,320.00 - $54,000.00/annually (Commensurate with experience)
Posting Closing Date: 01/31/2024
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 create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem.
The Work You Will Do:
This is advanced level Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) application review work performed under very limited supervision. Responsible for coordinating the review and processing of water quality enhancement area (WQEA) and similar permit applications that are assigned to the program. WQEA permits are envisioned to act as water quality banks and will sell credits to meet ERP stormwater rule requirements. Process, evaluate and recommend final action on all assigned WQEA, applications, monitoring and progress reports, modification requests, compliance/enforcement issues and other submittals and documents, in a timely and professional manner, as well as preparing appropriate documentation to support the recommended action. Perform field evaluations of proposed projects and permitted sites. Ensure consistency within the program, and within the Water Management Districts (WMDs). Identify improvements and consistency initiatives that can be implemented within the program and within the WMDs related to WQEAs. Investigate and evaluate complaints relating to WQEAs and initiate appropriate action. Performs field evaluations. Inspect and maintain awareness of assigned projects and recommend solutions to problems related to the assigned projects.
Routine travel is required to project sites, training sites, meetings, and conferences. Field evaluations will take place under all types of weather conditions and may involve traversing rough terrain
The Difference You Will Make:
The Engineering Specialist IV works with department staff to ensure projects meet the agencies strict environmental standards protecting wetlands and water quality. The Engineering Specialist IV also works with managers to plan and prioritize activities and projects in line with DEP’s strategic objectives and find integrated solutions on a variety of organizational challenges.
How You Will Grow:
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:
Tallahassee, Florida’s Capitol City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.
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);
- Flexible Spending Accounts;
- Tuition waivers;
- And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
Pay: $51,320.00 - $54,000.00/annually (Commensurate with experience)
Your Specific Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the review and processing of water quality enhancement area (WQEA) or water quality banks and similar applications that are assigned to the program.
- Process, evaluate and recommend final action on all assigned WQEA, applications, monitoring and progress reports, modification requests, compliance/enforcement issues and other submittals and documents, in a timely and professional manner, as well as preparing appropriate documentation to support the recommended action.
- Ensures consistency within the program, and within the Water Management Districts (WMDs). Help to identify improvements and consistency initiatives that can be implemented within the program and within the WMDs related to WQEAs.
- Investigate and evaluate complaints relating to WQEAs and initiate appropriate action.
- Performs field evaluations under all types of weather conditions and transverse rough terrain.
- Inspects and maintains awareness of assigned projects and recommend solutions to problems related to the assigned projects.
- Serves as a co-team lead during field inspections and project negotiations with the Environmental Consultant and Division of Environment Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) staff.
- Assists engineers and scientists located in the Department's Regulatory District Offices and the Water Management Districts in the review of ERP applications to ensure consistent and accurate implementation of ERP rules and statutes.
- Analyzes and interprets engineering data, performs engineering calculations, and develops and uses hydrologic, hydraulic, and hydrographic models for technical evaluation of data related to stormwater treatment, attenuation, and discharges to ground and surface waters and other activities. Ensures that projects conform with sound engineering design criteria and comply with all applicable regulations and laws.
- Assists in rulemaking; development of policy and guidance documents; and may also provide testimony for administrative proceedings with the Division of Administrative Hearings.
- Appropriately represents the Department in meetings and other forums with other agencies, the legislature, and the public. Maintains strong knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Maintains awareness of the latest water quality restoration technology and stormwater engineering principals.
- Provides management and other staff members with periodic plans of action and status reports, written or oral, as needed, on assigned areas of responsibility.
- Assists with updating and verification of applicable files, maps, and data accuracy updates. Maintains up-to-date files and computer tracking. Maintains data, statistics, and technology information on all assigned activities and provide to staff, the public, other governmental agencies, and the professional community as requested.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of hydrologic, hydraulic and stormwater engineering principles.
- Knowledge of biological, chemical, and physical processes as they relate to water quality and the aquatic environment.
- Knowledge of stormwater treatment and control principles, laws, regulations, and stormwater best management practices, especially with respect to engineering design, construction, and effectiveness in reducing nutrient pollutant loads.
- Skill in methods for assessment of surface water quality data, and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling applications, such as ICPR.
- Skill in the use of computer software programs used for office applications, database management, and Geographic Information Systems. Ability to understand and apply applicable state rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to multiple environmental programs. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Knowledge of or the ability to learn the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of environmental engineering as related to stormwater treatment, storage, and distribution, including engineering design, construction, operation, maintenance, and permitting issues related to stormwater management systems.
- Skill in computer modeling for assessment of the generation, transport, and treatment of stormwater pollutants, particularly nutrients.
- Expert in stormwater modeling such as ICPR, and the ability to teach others through workshops or training sessions.
- Ability to develop and provide technical presentations, and skilled in public speaking.
Required or Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university and two-years of verifiable related experience; or Any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of six years.
Other Job-Related Requirements for this position:
- Valid Class E Driver License.
- Travel is required.
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; or engineering
- Minimum of five years of experience related to the Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) Program (permitting, compliance, enforcement, and state lands) or similar state or Federal dredge and fill program experience.
- Experience with Florida’s Mitigation Banking rules and regulations.
- Experience with the rules and statutes governing the State’s regulatory programs.
- Experience with reviewing, designing, or permitting stormwater management systems
- Ability to represent the Department and provide public outreach.
- Ability to provide effective presentations to staff and the public.
- Ability to prepare clear, concise, and articulate procedures, rules, letters, and reports.
- Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Possess excellent organization and coordination skills.
- Possess good training techniques and principles.
- Possess analytical capabilities.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and synthesize scientific and technical data.
- Ability to understand and apply rules, directives, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines.
- Ability to be detail oriented.
- Ability to travel as needed to perform site inspections.
- Experience with stormwater modeling.
- Experience with GIS and Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point.
Persons interested in applying for this position must submit a completed State of Florida Employment Application through the People First System.
DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable 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@dep.state.fl.us
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.
Nearest Major Market: Tallahassee