Requisition No: 799799

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37979008

Position Number: 37979008

Salary: $20.00/hour

Posting Closing Date: 05/28/2023

OPS Environmental Specialist II - Restoration Technician

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Our Organization and Mission:
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 position is an important member of the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection’s (ORCP) Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves (BBAP) program and will provide technical, planning, procedural and budget recommendations to the BBAP Manager.

The primary purpose of this position is to fulfill the duties required of a three-year EPA grant-funded sponge restoration project. This position will be responsible for data management, report writing, datasonde coordination and deployment, water quality and sponge research coordination and sampling, partner coordination, permit coordination, purchasing of equipment, and providing support to the BBAP Manager. Other stakeholder outreach, programmatic coordination, research assistance, and activities may also be required to assist program and overall agency needs.

The Difference You Will Make:

As part of the BBAP Team, you would further our goals of:

• Running the first sponge restoration project in BBAP

• Protecting, restoring, and enhancing the ecological integrity of the aquatic preserves

• Encouraging sustainable use and foster active stewardship by engaging local communities in the protection of aquatic preserves

• Improving management effectiveness through a process based on sound science, consistent evaluation, and continual reassessment

How You Will Grow:

DEP encourages its employees 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:

Miami is a vibrant city in the Southeast corner of the state of Florida, situated directly on Biscayne Bay and close to beautiful white sand beaches. It is considered a major business center while also known for its museums and cultural offerings as well as its many restaurants and nightlife. It is a sports enthusiast haven as many outdoor activities are enjoyed by people in the area. Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you find yourself on the career ladder. The ORCP Southeast Region covers 5 counties (Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe). The DEP’s office in Miami is called the Biscayne Bay Environmental Center and is located in the middle of the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve within the Pelican Harbor Park and Marina in Miami-Dade County.

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:

• State Group Insurance coverage options for health and dental

• OPS alternative retirement plan

• Complimentary entry to state parks

Pay: $20.00 per hour.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Natural Resource Assessment and Research:

• Conducts resource monitoring and field data collecting including, telemetry maintenance and installation, datasonde deployment and maintenance, water quality bottle sampling, etc.

• Conducts sponge propagation techniques and monitoring

• Develop and implements sponge restoration

• Purchasing required equipment and maintaining required permits

• Scuba dive or snorkel, as required

• Pilot and trailer DEP boats and kayaks, as needed

• Reading and disseminating information gleaned from literature review

• Ensure all EPA grant requirements are met and submitted in a timely fashion, including deliverables and reports

Database Management and Data Reporting:

• Conducts general database management and multi-step quality assurance and quality control of internal databases

• Updating of Standard Operating Procedures, manuals, and reports

• Interpretation of data with a focus on identifying environmental stressors

• Conducts analyses and writes project narratives to produce regularly scheduled project reports and a final scientifically valid report to inform management decisions

Datasonde Management:

• Datasonde deployment, including boat-based, land-based, and in-water work

• Memorizing and working within procedures and techniques for performing calibrations

• Performing & tracking maintenance scheduling and equipment ordering

Education/ Outreach and Other Program Initiatives:

• Communication with other partners (e.g., Florida Sea Grant and Miami-Dade County) to provide research outputs and develop educational products

• Coordinates an advisory group of sponge restoration experts to advance techniques and methodology

• Potentially coordinating and training volunteers for project assistance

• Fostering stewardship of and appreciation for Biscayne Bay and informing management actions

• Other administrative needs, as required

Provide assistance as essential personnel in the event of an emergency at the DEP field offices, including pre-storm preparation, post-storm clean-up, and replacement of stored goods to ready field office for operation after a storm; or other services assigned.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of coastal marine ecosystems, flora and fauna

• Skill with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel on PC

• Skill with public speaking

• Skill with coordination of people and logistical planning

• Skill with small boat handling and trailering, or the ability to acquire these skills

• Skill with organization and writing

• Ability to review natural resource and environmental data/literature for status and trends

• Ability to work outdoors and in water, as well as working in an office environment

• Ability to maintain a valid FL driver license

• Ability to be flexible, multitask, and meet tight deadlines

• Ability to work independently and complete tasks with attention to detail under minimal supervision

• Ability to determine work priorities, ensure proper completion of work assignments

• Ability to swim/snorkel/kayak/dive under rigorous conditions, once given approval, per DEP policies

• Ability to interact with a variety of other governmental offices, non-governmental organizations, the public, and a variety of programs and administrative levels within DEP to successfully complete tasks

• Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with a diverse range of people

• Ability to be self-directed and outgoing, take ownership of projects, and work professionally with manager and co-workers to manage responsibilities and resolve challenges that arise

• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.

• Ability to travel throughout Southeast Florida and the Florida Keys on occasion as needed

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge in restoration techniques of natural species

• Database management experience, especially with large datasets

• Experience with Microsoft Access and Adobe software

• Data analysis experience using software (e.g.: R, , Excel, ArcPro)

• Experience working with datasondes (YSI EXO2) and possibly telemetry units

• Water quality sampling experience

• Knowledge of Southeast Florida's local sponge species

• Experience writing technical reports and publishing reports

• Creating and delivering scientific and public presentations

• Basic CPR/first aid certification and boater’s safety certification

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree with a major in one of the environmental or biological sciences and two years of professional experience in a field or environmental program is required. A graduate degree in one of the environmental or biological sciences can substitute the professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

These qualifications are helpful and may lead to a higher level of success in the position: a graduate degree in one of the marine environmental, or biological or chemical sciences with professional experience; scientific diving experience; experience working in the marine ecosystem of Southeast Florida; experience handling small boats and trailers; budget management experience.

Licensure/registration/certification requirements:

Valid Florida Driver License. Scuba certification from a nationally recognized agency.

Other job-related requirements for this position:

Regular local travel throughout Southeast Florida and occasional long-distance travel. Must have prior approval and meet the diving and/or snorkeling validation requirements in the DEP Underwater Operations Manual. This position is medically monitored.

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable skills individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

HR_ER@FloridaDEP.gov

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.