OPS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37940290

Date: Sep 19, 2024

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website (http://www.dms.myflorida.com/workforce_operations/human_resource_management/for_job_applicants/e_verify) .

Requisition No: 837888

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37940290

Pay Plan: Seasonal

Position Number: 37940290

Salary: $27.00/hour

Posting Closing Date: 10/11/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool (https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/)

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

Florida Coastal Management Program

Position Number 37940290

Environmental Consultant

OPEN COMPETITIVE

The Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (ORCP)is accepting applications for a full-time OPS Environmental Consultant position.

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 is a highly advanced professional position that serves as ORCP’s Quality Assurance (QA) Officer. ORCP manages over five million acres of submerged and coastal lands, including forty-two aquatic preserves and, in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, three National Estuarine Research Reserves, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and the Coral Reef Conservation Program. ORCP also administers the Florida Coastal Management Program, Clean Boating Programs and Clean Vessel Act Grant Program; Resilient Florida Program; Outer Continental Shelf Program; Beach Field Services Program; Coastal Engineering and Geology Group; the Coastal Construction Control Line Program; the Beach Management Funding Assistance Program; and the Beaches, Inlets and Ports Program. ORCP staff in these diverse programs include experts in scientific research and monitoring, coastal engineering, data management, natural resource management,

education and outreach, administration, and policy. As the primary division responsible for promoting resilience and climate preparedness in Florida, ORCP approaches the wide portfolio of issues it manages with adaptation for the future in mind, including coral reef protection, preservation of coastal and aquatic managed areas, beach and inlet management, and the implementation of ecosystem restoration projects. Together, these efforts aim to prepare Florida’s coastal communities and state-managed lands for the effects of future storms, such as coastal flooding and erosion, as well as sea level rise and other impacts of climate change.

The incumbent in this position serves as the ORCP liaison with the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, to meet DEP QA requirements and address issues and questions from internal and external stakeholders.

Develops, reviews, and revises standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sample collection, field testing, field bioassessments, laboratory taxonomic identifications, and QA documentation. Ensures QA support activities are performed for ORCP programs related to the QA Directive, including regularly communicating with field staff and contractors, providing training to staff, ensuring that each program has a quality plan, completing the Annual QA Report to the Secretary, and holding QA meetings and trainings. Independently evaluates the effectiveness of the ORCP’s Quality System and initiates corrective actions, where warranted. Provides support for the preparation of the Annual QA Report to the DEP Secretary on all QA activities, including recommendations for improving the department’s Quality System. Provides support for Quality of Science reviews for specific DEP programs when requested by the program, or when warranted by specific data quality issues.

Plans, develops curricula, and implements a statewide QA training program, targeted for ORCP employees. This training program includes all applicable training needed to ensure that Statewide scientific data collection, analyses, and interpretation comply with DEP’s QA policies and regulations. The goal of this program is to develop educated data producers and consumers so that all water quality and related environmental measurements performed by or for DEP are scientifically valid, defensible, and of known and acceptable precision and accuracy.

Conducts system and performance audits of ORCP activities and contractors required to adhere to the DEP QA Rules. These audits are performed to ensure compliance with DEP QA requirements. Reviews and approves QA documents for ORCP sampling and analysis activities and for contractual requirements.

Functions as a consultant and communications facilitator on issues concerning the appropriateness and quality of scientific information generated for environmental decision-making. This function includes training/consulting with ORCP program managers and stakeholders on issues related to sampling, analysis, data quality assessment, water quality standards implementation, and data validation.

Provides timely responses to all questions and requests for information and document reviews.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection strives to achieve a more synergized and unified goal of protecting and managing our coastal resources by ensuring optimal quality, longevity and health of these resources over time.

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:

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 benefits package for eligible OPS employees include:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*). For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees

• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b). For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com (https://www.myfloridacfo.com/DeferredComp/)

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please click Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) (https://opsfl.aigrs.com/plan-details/social-security-alternative-plan) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;

• Flexible Spending Accounts.

  For more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com .

  Pay:

  $27.00/hour

  Your Specific Responsibilities:

  Quality Assurance (90%):

• Supports the Statewide Ecosystem Assessment of Coastal and Aquatic Resources program.

• Develops and maintains DEP ORCP Quality Assurance (QA) Plan(s) and ensures internal data collection is in accordance with adopted QA Plans.

• Coordinates with internal and external data providers to ensure accurate upload of monitoring data, protocols, and QA documentation.

• Reviews and analyzes large data sets, enters data and metadata into specialized databases and spreadsheets (Excel, Access, online data portals, etc.).

• Participates and/or leads coordination and project meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

  Supporting Programmatic Initiatives (10%):

• Supports and participates in program activities such as the FCMP annual meeting. Assists with other related projects and activities. Performs other related tasks as required.

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Essential):

• Knowledge of environmental field sampling techniques, terminology, principles and methodologies.

• Knowledge of environmental laboratory analytical methods, principles and terminology.

• Knowledge of Quality Assurance (QA) principles and measures, including laboratory, field, and data validation activities.

• Familiarity with the requirements of Chapters 62-160, F.A.C., and 64E-1, F.A.C., as applicable to the environmental field sampling and laboratory analysis industry.

• Knowledge of the DEP SOPs and NELAC standards.

• Ability to conduct laboratory and field audits.

• Knowledge of computer software programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

• Ability to determine work priorities, document activities, and ensure proper completion of work assignments.

• Ability to give public presentations to a variety of audiences.

• Ability to travel, including long days and overnight travel.

• Ability to maintain a valid Driver’s License.

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Preferred):

• Skill in the use of scientific laboratory and field equipment.

• Knowledge of analytical methods published by various sources such as EPA, APHA, and ASTM.

  Position Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Chemistry, or other Natural, Environmental, or Physical Sciences. An official transcript or diploma is required of the selected candidate to confirm qualifications for this position.

• Two years of environmental science work experience or a graduate degree from an accredited university in Chemistry, or other Natural, Environmental, or Physical sciences.

• Ability to travel overnight when needed (less than 25% of time)

  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_ER@dep.state.fl.us

  Contact Information

  Lauren Jordan, HR Liaison

  Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

  Florida Department of Environmental Protection

  Lauren.Jordan@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.

Location:

TALLAHASSEE, FL, US, 32399

Nearest Major Market:Tallahassee