ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 42004317

Job Duties

• Coordinate with the supervisor and other Division staff as appropriate to assist in the development, management, and execution of projects, policies, procedures, and performance measures related to aquaculture education, policy, and scientific development.
• Keep up to date on relevant scientific, technical, and policy developments in the field of aquaculture, including primary literature.
• Cook with the Biological Administrator, program staff, and project partners to successfully develop and execute projects and host meetings, workshops, and other engagements.
• Assist the supervisor and other program staff with education and outreach programs, including trainings, workshops, site visits, lectures, and development of public communications and educational materials for a variety of audiences.
• Aid in the creation and updating of Division publications as assigned.
• Aid in the creation and updating design materials for recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and perform site visits to schools for troubleshooting as necessary.
• Assist management with strategic planning and process improvement for all program areas, including education and public outreach initiatives, data identification, collection and analysis, program documentation, and developing or updating standard operating procedures.
• Produce and update technical reports, comment letters, and deliver presentations for a variety of audiences related to Division priorities and projects in the program.
• Develop alternative recommendations, solve problems, and document workflow for improvement of operational and management practices.
• Aid with grant procurement, management, and administration in coordination with the supervisor.
• Aid with maintaining existing partnerships within and external to the Department and actively build a network of partners for collaborative initiatives in Florida and the region.
• Attend meetings, webinars, workshops, trainings, conferences and other engagements in Florida and the region as deemed appropriate to enhance program areas and build partnerships.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the terminology and principles of aquaculture, environmental science, marine science, or a similar field.
• Knowledge of best practices for data collection and management and ability to work with large datasets.
• Ability to efficiently collect, evaluate and analyze information and data from a variety of sources, including scientific literature, to prepare reports and presentations, develop recommendations, solve problems, and document workflow for improvement of operational and management practices.
• Knowledge of the principles of effective public science communication.
• Knowledge of the basics and principles of aquaculture RAS system design and maintenance, aquaria design and maintenance, or similar (hydroponics, flow-through systems, etc.).
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively through all written and spoken means, including preparation and delivery of technical reports, comment letters, grant proposals, progress reports, training and educational materials, data summaries and presentations for a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to write scientific and education grant proposals, manage grant funding and coordinate project teams.
• Ability to interact with a variety of public stakeholders, coworkers, and other local, state or federal employees in a tactful, courteous, and professional manner at all times, both in person and virtually.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to effectively work independently as well as cooperatively with coworkers in large and small teams.
• Ability to travel throughout the state and region to perform job duties, and ability to work occasionally during nights and weekends.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments and schedules with competing deadlines.
• Ability to coordinate and execute meetings projects, events, and other engagements with coworkers and collaborators internally and externally.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques and exercise best professional judgement at all times.
• Ability to proficiently operate personal computers, printers, cell phones, vehicles, and all issued equipment.
• Proficiency with Adobe suite and Microsoft Office suite to prepare work products (Excel, Word and PowerPoint), to create content.
• Proficiency with virtual video conferencing platforms.
• Ability to work during times of emergency, including nights, holidays and weekends.
• Ability to understand and follow legislative policy direction as established in Florida Statutes.
• Ability to understand and apply all applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to program areas.