Job Description

Requisition No: 833651 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - 37940103

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37940103 

Salary: $27.18 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 08/05/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator 

OPS Environmental CONSULTANT

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

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 OPS Environmental Consultant position, 37940103, is within in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Watershed Evaluation and TMDL section in Tallahassee, FL, and will be responsible for performing coding development in support of developing total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). Apply coding skills in Python and R packages to automate routine environmental data processing. Use coding to evaluate water quality and spatial environmental datasets in order to evaluate the impacts of pollutants on water quality problems in Florida. Analyze common environmental spatial data sources including landuse, elevation, hydrology, soils, and aerial photographs to generate insights about Florida’s environment. Use ArcPy scripting to develop new tools in Python that perform repeated geospatial analyses. Create innovative tools and approaches using code that will help the program achieve its goals of enacting environmental protection using more efficient and technical methods. Collaborate with other sections within the division to create cross program tools that can be used to accelerate insights from data. The role of this position is important to the agency’s mission to protect, restore, and maintain the health of Florida’s waters.

The Difference You Will Make:

Water and natural resources are the foundation of Florida's communities, economy, and way of life. The Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) is charged with protecting, maintaining, and improving the quality of Florida’s springs, rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. DEAR team members provide the department and other resource agencies with the highest quality laboratory services available; provide technical support to the department and the public regarding water quality analysis and data quality assurance (QA); manage water quality data repositories for data storage and use by the department, other agencies and the public; and work together to monitor and assess Florida’s surface water and groundwater quality, develop strategies to reduce pollution, and work closely with local stakeholders to implement comprehensive restoration strategies that improve the lives of all Floridians and preserve aquatic resources for generations to come.

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:

The work location of this position is in Tallahassee (Leon County), Florida. The city hosts the Capital of Florida and seat of state government. The city is home to numerous parks offering outdoor activities, league sports and natural trails for running, hiking, and biking. Tallahassee is located just 22 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, which is home to some of the world's top beaches. Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College, and several smaller colleges in the region offer a hub for academic research, athletics, art, music, and other student activities.

OPS Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*). For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to:  
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b). For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please click Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;

For a more benefits information, visit .

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

Pay:

$27.18 Hourly

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Collaborates with TMDL developers to maintain an accurate and up to date log of TMDL modeling files. Create an organizational structure and technical approach for storing these files for long term access on a cloud-based architecture. Implement original approach and maintain this structure, working with developers to add files as TMDLs are completed throughout the year.

Applies coding skills in python and R coding in order to help automate routine data processing. Use ArcPy scripting to develop new tools in python the perform repeated geospatial analyses. Create innovative tools and approaches using code that will help the department achieve its goals of environmental protection faster. Collaborate with other sections to create cross division tools that can be used to accelerate insights from data.

Act as a technical reviewer of TMDLs, BMAPs, RA plans, and consultant contract scope of works in order to ensure that section and division guidelines are maintained. Perform quality assurance checks on data analysis and modeling results to ensure that TMDLs are conducted using defensible and repeatable practices.

Participate and work effectively as a leader, facilitator, or member of program or section approved teams. Teams will be created as needed to facilitate completion of tasks related to water quality evaluations. Provides technical guidance to consultants, governmental officials, and citizens regarding applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in the development of water quality assessments, WQBELs and TMDLs.

Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of data management principles and techniques.
• Skilled in using R, Python, or other coding language to conduct data analysis and advanced statistical analyses.

• Skilled in functional use of ArcGIS, Web Mapping Applications, MS Office, statistical software.
• Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret environmental, scientific, and technical data.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of biological, chemical, and physical processes as they relate to water quality and the aquatic environment.

• Knowledge and experience in the use of various methods for assessment of surface water quality and quantity data. Includes statistical analysis, graphics preparation and use of state-of-the-art mathematical modeling.
• Ability to deal with the public in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments.

• Ability to be adaptable, flexible, resourceful, and to maintain a positive attitude.

• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision, or as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s License.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in engineering, engineering sciences, environmental science, natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, environmental policy, public health, or computer science from an accredited university or college and 3 years of relevant experience; OR Masters in listed areas and 1 year of relevant experience; OR PhD in listed areas; OR 7 years of relevant experience.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience in project management principles and techniques.
• Skill in using Python to create ArcGIS or other geospatial processing tools.
• Skill and experience of developing and using watershed and water quality models to characterize impaired waters and establish restoration targets (example: PLSM, HSPF, LSPC, WASP, ArcNLET, etc.)

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

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.

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