About this role
Requisition No: 885803
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37021143
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 37021143
Salary: $53,580.60/annually
Posting Closing Date: 10/19/2026
Total Compensation Estimator Tool
Environmental Specialist III - (37021143)
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
“INTERNAL AGENCY ONLY”
This position is located in Tallahassee, FL
Position Overview and Responsibilities:
- This is a second level intermediate environmental professional position responsible for implementing the Operator Certification Program (OCP) authorized under Chapter 403, Florida Statues and developing and implementing new components of the OCP as authorized by the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996.
- Assists the Operator Certification Program with development and implementation of a new operator license reciprocity program for the Operator Certification Program.
- Assist with the examination development, scheduling and administration. Maintains strict control over examination books, questions, answer keys and other examination related documents. Maintain strict control over applications, databases and documents that contain social security numbers.
- Reviews licensure applications for accuracy and completeness. Ensures each applicant has met minimum experience and examination requirements by reviewing and evaluating acceptable forms of documentation according to guidelines established pursuant to the laws and rules that govern Operator Certification. Calculate each applicant’s hours of experience to verify it meets minimum requirements for licensure. Draft and mail incomplete letters to each applicant that fails to meet the minimum requirements for licensure following each initial and subsequent review. Accurately document all adherences and deficiencies to application requirements into the database. Issue licenses to each applicant that complies with all licensure requirements. Timely enter each completed licensure file into the Department’s electronic document storage system for storage.
- Reviews examination applications for accuracy and completeness. Ensures each applicant has met minimum training and educational requirements by reviewing and evaluating acceptable forms of documentation according to guidelines established pursuant to the laws and rules that govern Operator Certification. Draft and mail approval and/or incomplete letters to each applicant upon each initial and subsequent review the application. Accurately document all adherences and deficiencies to application requirements into the database. Maintains complete and accurate files on each examination applicant and adheres to strict confidentiality requirements with regards to examination scores.
- Prepares and maintains accurate reports and records describing activities in the assigned area of responsibility including correspondence and memoranda; provides policy and program administration recommendations; prepares documentation for operator’s files; assists in the maintenance of the computer database; and advises operators on program rules and policies. Also assists, as needed, in logging and tracking financial activities and processes refunds and prints receipts.
- Answers the telephone for the Operator Certification Program. Completes and maintains all expenses in Excel format for the Certification Office. Logs and distributes mail. Uses word processing equipment to type correspondence, memoranda, and reports in proper formats. Addresses envelopes and inserts documents for mailing, distributes mail within the program and to other offices as necessary, faxes and retrieves documents. Copies and distributes materials.
- Participates in conferences, workshops, and similar activities relevant to the operation of the section. Assists in the review of proposed projects, rule development and applications for federal grants or assistance. Keeps abreast of changes in state and federal requirements that may impact the OCP.
- Assists in intra-Division coordinated projects requiring section expertise, as assigned by supervisor.
- Performs other related duties.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of state and federal permitting requirements and procedures.
- Ability to work independently and manage technical projects.
- Ability to understand wastewater treatment concepts and principles.
- Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
- Ability to prioritize workload.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to research and understand state, federal, and local wastewater rules and regulations.
- Knowledge of computer-based data retrieval systems.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 5-years of related professional experience. Post-secondary degrees may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis. A credential evaluation report from an approved agency (https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/foreign-trained-grads/approved-credential-evaluation-agencie.stml) must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.
- Valid Driver’s License
- Ability to conduct overnight travel
Position of Special Trust Requirement:
This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in a science related field.
- Knowledge and experience in implementing drinking water, wastewater, reuse, permitting, licensure, and compliance requirements.
- Experience interpreting, applying and developing environmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
- An understanding of incident command protocols during emergency events.
- Knowledge of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, permitting, and licensure rules.
- Ability to speak publicly and/or conduct training for groups ranging between 15 to 400 people.
- Ability to plan and conduct training sessions.
Additional reviews may be performed to screen for preferred qualifications, experience and education. You may be contacted to participate in an additional selection process which may consist of written exercises, work samples, skills tests, and interviews. Support of knowledge, skills, and abilities should be demonstrated on the application, in the education, in the work experience, in the work sample, in the interview and/or during reference checks.
Pay:
$53,580.60/annually
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 advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy. 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:
Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combine 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 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 (http://www.myfrs.com) );
- Tuition waivers;
- Total Compensation Estimator Tool (https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/)
- And more!
For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com
Special Notes:
DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable 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:
An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 245-2511. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
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.