ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37001038

Position Overview and Responsibilities

This entry level environmental position is responsible for permitting and compliance activities associated with coastal construction projects. The incumbent evaluates and processes Joint Coastal Permits (JCP), Environmental Resource Permits (ERP) and the associated sovereignty submerged land (SSL) authorizations; ensures compliance with permit conditions; and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to preserve, restore, and protect Florida's beaches and coastal ecosystems. This role requires an understanding of coastal systems, marine ecology, Florida’s environmental regulations, and effective project management. The incumbent must maintain comprehensive knowledge of applicable statutes, rules, and policies, including Chapters 120, 161, 253, 258, 373, and 403, Florida Statutes.

Permitting

• Process JCP, ERP and the associated SSL applications in accordance with statutes, rules, and procedures.
• Evaluate the effects of proposed coastal construction projects, to identify adverse impacts to the coastal system.
• Collaborate with applicants and subject matter experts to minimize environmental impacts and offset any unavoidable impacts through mitigation.
• Prepare and draft technical reports, agency action documents, and correspondence related to permits.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external agencies to conduct application reviews efficiently, ensure enforceability of proposed permit conditions and meet statutory timeframes.

Compliance

• Maintain accurate compliance records using the Department’s database(s), document management system(s) in accordance with program procedures.
• Monitor and track construction events and permit-required deliverables, for procedural, physical, and biological compliance with the associated permit.
• Distribute, review and analyze project monitoring reports and technical data to ensure adherence to permit conditions in accordance with procedures.
• Cook up with permittees, regulatory stakeholders, and external stakeholders to resolve compliance issues, including compliance outreach, and the enforceability of permit conditions, in a timely manner.
• Carry out field inspections to assess compliance at construction sites and provide technical guidance to permittees and contractors.
• Prepare compliance documents, including Compliance Assistance Offers, Warning Letters, and reports on non-compliance.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Communicate and coordinate extensively with applicants/permittees, federal and state agencies, contractors, and the public, including training and outreach as necessary.
• Represent the program in meetings (e.g. Pre-application, Pre-Construction meetings) and collaborate with internal teams, including the project managers, to ensure comprehensive project oversight.

Other Duties

• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the mission and objectives of the program.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the concepts, principles and analytical techniques of the natural or physical sciences as they relate to coastal environments and marine ecological systems.
• Skill in the use of personal computers, spreadsheets, as well as industry-specific database applications, software and electronic devices.
• Ability to understand and implement applicable statutes, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and standards e.g., Florida’s Water Quality Standards.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally (verbally and in writing).
• Ability to collect, analyze, evaluate, and interpret scientific and technical data.
• Ability to organize, plan, coordinate and conduct multiple work assignments effectively, without close supervision.
• Ability to plan and conduct field inspections and report on the assessment of environmental compliance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a team or independently
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least four years of verifiable related experience. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university may be used as an alternative for the required four years of experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Travel, including single-day and multi-day trips.
• Must have prior approval and meet the diving and/or snorkeling/skin diving validation requirements in the DEP underwater operations manual and be Medically Monitored.