Requisition No: 838254
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37021128
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 37021128
Salary: $67,000-$69,010/annually (commensurate with experience)
Posting Closing Date: 10/15/2024
Total Compensation Estimator Tool
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT (37021128)
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:

The Environmental Consultant for the Onsite Sewage Program (OSP) plays a crucial role at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by overseeing the inspection and regulation of septic systems in their service hub. This position ensures that new constructions, repairs, and modifications of septic systems comply with state environmental standards, thereby safeguarding public health and the environment.

This position is located within the Onsite Sewage Program, a vital component of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's efforts to manage and protect the state's water resources.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic support to the Environmental Supervisor by identifying opportunities for process improvements in field operations, permitting, and compliance assistance, contributing to the development of efficient workflows and enhanced service delivery.
• Lead initiatives aimed at fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture by mentoring field staff, facilitating training on technical and regulatory updates, and ensuring consistent application of best practices.
• Act as a liaison between the field staff, Environmental Supervisor, and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication of program goals, priorities, and regulatory expectations to support compliance and strengthen stakeholder relationships.
• Contribute to long-term program planning by analyzing trends in complaints, permitting issues, and compliance challenges, providing strategic recommendations to the Environmental Supervisor and leadership to address emerging environmental or regulatory concerns.
• Assist the Environmental Supervisor in managing field staff by providing guidance and oversight of permitting and compliance activities to ensure adherence to laws and regulations.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Environmental Consultant for the Onsite Sewage Program is responsible for ensuring that septic systems are properly installed, maintained, and repaired within their local service hub. This role helps prevent the contamination of Florida’s groundwater and surface waters. Properly functioning septic systems prevent untreated wastewater from entering natural habitats, protecting Florida’s diverse ecosystems, including its rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Clean water is also essential for public health, as it reduces the risk of waterborne illnesses and ensures clean water resources for communities.

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:
This position is located in DEP’s Panama City office located at 2420 Jenks Ave., Panama City, FL. The Panama City service hub will serve several counties in the Northwest Florida area as needed. This service hub will primarily serve Jackson, Washington, Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, and Franklin counties.

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:
$67,000-$69,010/annually (commensurate with experience)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

• Performs evaluations of the permitting and compliance assistance activities of OSP staff working in counties located within the Department’s Northwest District and undertakes special projects to ensure compliance with law and rules.
• Provides written reports with findings and makes recommendations for improving permit quality and compliance assistance processes.
• Routinely provides interpretations of environmental statutes and rules to other agencies, professionals, industry representatives, and the public.
• Regularly provides technical assistance to OSTDS contractors, OSTDS operators, and members of the public.
• Investigates complaints and mediates disputes pertaining to OSP activities in counties located within the Department’s Northwest District. Coordinates with OSP managers and leadership on enforcement issues.
• Serves as a Department witness in legal and administrative proceedings.
• Reviews and evaluates OSTDS permit applications for conformance to state rules and regulations.
• Produces OSTDS permits and/or documents and requests for additional information, when required, which are consistent with prescribed rules and Department guidance and procedures.
• Performs site inspections in support of permit application reviews and evaluations.
• Provides regulatory assistance, including outreach, permitting determinations, exemptions, and compliance assistance to permittees and/or company representatives, other department programs, delegated local programs, local government representatives, and other interested parties.
• Performs related work as required by manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Skills in the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
• Skills in identifying Florida soils and wet season ground water table determinations using the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Soils methodologies.
• Skills in determining work priorities to ensure timely completion of work assignments without close supervision.
• Skills in maintaining effective and productive working relationships with others.
• Skills and proficiency in computer operations and programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, Share Point, Lists, and Outlook.
• Ability to conduct field sampling methods for soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable State and/or Federal rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to effectively communicate in a tactful and courteous manner both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to follow direction and policy.
• Ability to physically conduct field inspections/investigations in temperatures and weather conditions typical of Florida and navigating areas with rough terrain.
• Ability to demonstrate personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability.
• Ability to inform, to enable, and to productively engage people in their work.
• Ability to demonstrate personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability.
• Ability to understand and apply the laws, rules, policies, and procedures of governmental service and environmental protection.
• Ability to apply the tools of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Visio effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to travel, including some overnight.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and four years of verifiable related experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of eight years.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Travel, including some overnight.
• Pursuant to sections 110.1127 and 435.04, Florida Statutes, and DEP Directive 422, Background Investigation, is required to successfully complete a background and fingerprint check.

• Environmental Health Professional Certification in Onsite Sewage Systems, or be a Registered Sanitarian, or the equivalent under s.381.0101, Florida Statutes within 6 months of employment.

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.
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_Veterans Preference@dep.state.fl.us
HR_Recruitment@Florida DEP.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.
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.