environmental specialist i - Estero, United States - State of Florida

Description

Requisition No:

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number:

Salary: $3,000 month/$36,000 annual

Posting Closing Date: 05/21/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST i

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

PACK TEST POSITION

Employee-owned trailer site available

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:

Environmental Specialist I

Estero Bay Preserve State Park

4940 Broadway West

Estero, FL 33928

SUPERVISOR

Zach Lozano. Park Manager



Estero Bay Preserve State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill an Environmental Specialist I position, providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration, and resource management. The applicant must possess good visitor service and administrative skills, be able to work independently and be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays.

The Difference You Will Make:

Florida state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by all through providing appropriate resource-based recreational opportunities, interpretation and education that help visitors connect to the Real Florida. SM

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:

Cradled by majestic oaks along the banks of the Estero River, this is the first aquatic preserve established in Florida. Visitors can canoe or kayak in the bay or on the Estero River. Miles of trails offer visitors the opportunities to hike, bicycle or study the wildlife and native vegetation preserve here. Located near Estero, betweek Fort Myers and Naples.

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 );
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more

For a more complete list of benefits, visit

Pay:

Base salary $3,000 month/$36,000 annual

Your Specific Responsibilities:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Compliance with the processing requirements of Chapter , F.S. is mandatory. Persistent failure to comply with this section by any agency of the state shall constitute good cause for discharge of employees duly found responsible, or predominantly responsible, for failure to comply.

This position provides biological, resource management, interpretive, and environmental analysis for the following parks, Estero Bay Preserve State Park, Koreshan State Park and Mound Key Archaeological State Park within the Florida Park Service System. Resource Management - Participates in the execution of all facets of prescribed fire. Implements ecological burning plan for fire type plant communities; recognizes communities, controls burning techniques and maintain fire lanes. Duties include prescribing fire activities, which comprises writing prescriptions, conducting burns, maintaining files, performing evaluations, maintaining fire type equipment, serve as trainer, and maintain training files for other staff. This position also plans, recommends and monitors resource management projects such as mechanical treatment of uplands, lower water crossings, exotic plant species removal, reforestation, plant community restoration, erosion control, nuisance species control, native wildlife management, and water resources projects. This position also applies and manages resource management related grants.

Consult with Park Manager, district staff and planners on the effects of design and development on park resources. Advise on the preservation, restoration and appearance of historical and archaeological sites. Recommend native trees and shrubs for landscape projects. Conducts flora and fauna surveys and coordinates biological monitoring. Utilizes state vehicles in performance of duties. Work with GIS and ArcView equipment and software. Gather scientific and professional reports, data and other information through field observations and studies about natural history.

Investigates and reports on all pending development and other projects which may threaten the natural and cultural resources of the park such as highways, dams, drainage, pesticide application and dredging. Assembles information into interpretive talks, brochures, exhibit copy, tour spiels and other forms of interpretation communication. Provide interpretive programs to the public through guided walks, campfire programs, speeches, and TV and radio presentations. Aid park personnel involved in the interpretations in the form of slides, written material, and the design of interpretive facilities. Provide quality photographs for exhibits, programs, and publications. Participate in land management reviews. Coordinates work of interns, volunteers and seasonal personnel.

Maintain an office to include hard files, digital files, reports. Maintain tools, equipment and vehicles as assigned.

VISITOR SERVICES - Coordinates, organizes, oversees, and implements outreach/education activities including, but not limited to, guided terrestrial walks; educational programs for residents neighboring the Preserve or located within the watershed; aquatic preserve educational programs; establishment and monitoring of service-learning projects for FGCU students

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT -Coordinates, organizes, oversees and implements the Preserve's invasive plant control initiatives, including, but not limited to prioritizing initial treatment and maintenance for invasive plant control sites; organizing staff and volunteer efforts for initial treatment and maintenance on invasive plant control sites; overseeing contractual removal efforts for invasive plant control activities; mixing herbicides; and maintaining database for invasive plant control efforts and inventory of herbicides. Coordinates the work activities of OPS employee(s). Participates in the execution of all facets of prescribed fire, including, but not limited to, prioritizing the restorative need of prescribed fire for sites within the Preserve; developing prescribed fire plans; organizing staff efforts; overseeing contractual prescribed fire efforts; maintaining a database of prescribed fire efforts at the Preserve; and maintaining a database of prescribed fire equipment and needs. Coordinates, organizes, oversees and implements archaeological and historic resources inventory, assessment and protection efforts at the Preserve, including, but not limited to, completing an annual assessment of the Preserve's cultural resources and implementing protection efforts, coordinating formal archaeology and historic surveys for sites in need through the Division of Historic Resources; and compiling all relevant information on cultural resources for the Preserve for reference.

MAINTENANCE- Cleans and maintains equipment, vehicles and watercraft used during the performance of other duties and tasks

ADMINISTRATION - Coordinates grant contracts and performs duties including, but not limited to, drafting of the grant agreement, monitoring of activities, and funds as applicable to the grant; and supplying all necessary final information to the granting agency. Completes monthly and quarterly reports.

PROTECTION- Participates in other resource management activities, including boundary protection, completing incident reports, alerting management to inappropriate activities, assisting law enforcement personnel as needed, invasive animal control, restoration and mitigation efforts, habitat mapping, species monitoring, etc.

OTHER- Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Southwest Florida's resources and land management techniques
• Terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences
• Florida's pyric communities and management needs
• Advanced prescribed/wildfire concepts including prescribed fire applications and techniques
• Florida's coastal and inland wildlife species
• Research design and applications as they relate to ecosystem's management.

SKILL IN:

• interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
• utilize a computer including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite
• creating maps and maintaining useful information in GIS
• invasive, exotic plant control
• skill in ARCView/GIS/GPS
• operating heavy equipment
• all aspects of prescribed burning and wildfire suppression
• all aspects of exotic plant management

ABILITY TO:

• participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to, prescribed fire activities, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide
• communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• prepare technical reports
• follow verbal and written instructions/directions
• work independently with minimal supervision
• establish and maintain effective working relationships
• speak in public
• understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations relating to environmental programs
• conduct routine inspections, identify and investigate problems
• coordinate the work activities of others
• work outdoors in inclement weather
• perform physical labor
• operate 4-wheel drive vehicles and ATVs
• lift 40 pounds and assist in transporting items or other supplies 100 pounds or more
• work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• maintain a valid driver's license
• successfully complete background & fingerprint check
• successfully complete modified annual moderate pack test
• properly wear uniform
• comply with male and female hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions

Minimum Requirements:

Valid Drivers' License

Passing of moderate pack test must be completed prior to employment, and annually thereafter. Prior to being hired, applicant will be given a single opportunity to take and successfully complete a supervised moderate pack test at a date and location to be announced. The pack test requires applicant to complete a two mile walk while carrying 25 pounds in under 30 minutes.

A bachelor's or higher degree in one of the physical or natural sciences from an accredited college or university; and two years of verifiable work experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described in this posting, for a total of six years.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT:

This position is designated as a Position of 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:

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 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 , 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.