Job Description

Requisition No: 841220 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37020901

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020901 

Salary: $55,000-$59,740 annually (commensurate with experience) 

Posting Closing Date: 11/29/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

  CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES ONLY

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:

The Environmental Consultant for the Onsite Sewage Program (OSP) plays a crucial role at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by overseeing the effective resolution of Chapter 381, F.S., variance requests. This position ensures variances are granted in hardship cases under the conditions prescribed after consideration of maximum compliance with state environmental standards, thereby safeguarding public health and the environment.

This position is located within the Onsite Sewage Program, a vital component of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's efforts to manage and protect the state's water resources.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and provide subject matter expertise for Chapter 381, F.S., variance requests .
• Oversee quality assurance, program evaluation and standardization projects.
• Provide statewide program expertise to internal and external stakeholders.
• Crosstrain to support functions in the Onsite Sewage Program including industry regulation, complaints and enforcement, and continuing education review and approval.

This position is essential to the agency's mission of protecting Florida's natural resources and ensuring the health and safety of its residents through effective management of onsite sewage systems.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Environmental Consultant for the Onsite Sewage Program is responsible for resolution of requests for variance and oversight of projects to improve the Onsite Sewage Program. This role helps prevent the contamination of Florida’s groundwater and surface waters. Properly functioning septic systems prevent untreated wastewater from entering natural habitats, protecting Florida’s diverse ecosystems, including its rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Clean water is also essential for public health, as it reduces the risk of waterborne illnesses and ensures clean water resources for communities.

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:

Tallahassee - Tallahassee, Florida’s Capitol City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines 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 );
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit .

Pay:

$55,000-$59,740 annually (commensurate with experience)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This advanced environmental position provides onsite sewage program expertise to county health departments, Department of Environmental Protection staff, other state or federal agencies, industry organizations and the public. Programmatic areas of responsibility include coordination of and assistance with the following: (1) Chapter 381, F.S. variance program administration, (2) technical assistance and rule interpretation, (3) training facilitation and program representation, (4) program evaluations and standardization of county health department (CHD) staff and (5) programmatic policy and procedure review and implementation. Additional responsibilities to support programmatic work include collaboration, communication, administrative functions, and project management.

Chapter 381, F.S., variance program duties:

• Evaluates variance applications for technical content, serves as liaison for department with the variance committee,

prepares meeting materials and agendas, schedules public meetings, prepares notification, and the final outcome letters, and testifies and provides documentation for administrative hearings.

Technical assistance duties:

• Provide technical assistance and interpretations of health and environmental statutes and rules to county health departments, other agencies, professionals, industry, and to the general public for variances and septic tank contractors.
• Assists in development, coordination and implementation of statewide policies and procedures for the Onsite Sewage Program.
• Act as backup subject matter expert for 1) contractor registration, 2) business authorization, 3) complaints and enforcement duties and 4) continuing education provider and course approvals.

Training planning, facilitation, and programmatic representation duties:

• Monitor statewide training needs.
• Provide statewide training.
• Assist with Accelerated Certification Training instruction, standardization courses and regional CHD program consistency meetings.
• Represent the program at departmental, professional, and civic meetings.
• Assist with programmatic disaster preparedness and response activities.

Program evaluation and standardization duties:

• Perform evaluations of CHD programs and special projects to ensure compliance with law and rules.
• Evaluate and standardize CHD field staff.

Policy and procedure development duties:

• Assist in development, coordination, and implementation of statewide program policies and procedures.
• Review and recommend updates for program policies and procedures.
• Participates in, prepares, and teaches environmental health training courses.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Work independently, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.

Required Qualifications:

Applicant must possess or be qualified to obtain within 6 months of employment, an active Environmental Health Professional Certification in the area of Onsite Sewage Systems, or be a Registered Sanitarian, or the equivalent, all as required in s.381.0101, Florida Statutes.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two-years of verifiable related experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of six years.

Other Job Related Requirements for this position:

Valid Driver License.

The Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural. 

This position is designated as a Position of Special 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:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

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. 

Job Tags

Similar Jobs