ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

Requisition No: 823149

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 42005216

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005216

Salary: $50,000.08

Posting Closing Date: 02/18/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL WATER POLICY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Barton Wilder – 850/688-0142

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college and six (6) months of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; or engineering; or

One and a half (1.5) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or

Two (2) years of experience as described above.

Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
  

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values and
supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with
disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the FDACS Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all FDACS and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.

Occasional overnight travel may be required.

NOTES:

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

JOB DUTIES:

This is a professional team-oriented position under the supervision of the Environmental Manager located in the Gilchrist County field office. The Environmental Specialist III will assist in implementing the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Best Management Practices (BMP) Program established by the Florida Watershed Restoration Act by working with agricultural producers to enroll, implement, provide cost share, and verify compliance with BMPs.

Conduct BMP enrollments with agricultural producers using commodity specific manuals, checklists, and other tools according to the Enrollment Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This includes performing on-site field evaluations of agricultural operations to identify and implement applicable BMPs and conservation practices. Effectively communicate the producer’s obligation under the BMP program as defined by FS 403.067, FAC 5M-1 and any other site-specific statutes and rules.

Conduct BMP implementation verification (IV) site visits every 2 years for enrolled producers according to the IV SOP, as assigned by supervisor. An IV includes performing on-site field evaluations of agricultural operations to confirm compliance with their site specific BMPs as established during the enrollment and updating enrollment to reflect changes in the operation. This process requires analysis of fertilizer records for compliance with University of Florida-IFAS (UF-IFAS) nutrient application rates and the evaluation and collection of producer’s nutrient data. The IV evaluation involves a determination of compliance with the BMP program and may involve the implementation of corrective measures by the producer.

Assist producers with submitting cost share applications for qualifying projects that improve water quality and/or water conservation. Manage producer cost share agreements in accordance with the applicable cost share contracts and the Cost-Share SOP. Verify implementation of cost share projects and submit requests for reimbursement.

Work in cooperation with staff from other agencies including but not limited to commodity specific producer groups, UF-IFAS Extension, Water Management Districts (WMD), Soil and Water Conservation Districts and United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service to advance the adoption of BMP by producers through field days, demonstrations, and other outreach opportunities.

Perform related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the agricultural areas in the Suwannee River WMD area.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices and techniques related to agricultural BMPs and conservation including nutrient management, irrigation management and water resource protection.
• Ability to interact with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to compile, organize and analyze data and make recommendations.
• Ability to access digital information and prepare documents using a personal computer with basic understanding of the internet, GIS, Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office products including Outlook scheduling.
• Ability to work independently to plan, organize, coordinate and complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to conduct inspections in agricultural production areas with uneven ground.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

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 visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”

SPECIAL NOTES:

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.