Environmental Specialist Ii

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

EVERGLADES RESTORATION-PERMITTING AND COMPLIANCE

OFFICE OF WATER POLICY & ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION

The career service position fulfills a critical role in processing and issuing Everglades restoration permits and ensuring restoration success, by leading and facilitating timely review of permit applications and post permit issuance compliance submittals by utilizing existing knowledge, skills and abilities and the expertise of a team of technical professionals. The incumbent will be required to work 40-hour work weeks, Monday through Friday, and be present for work between the core hours of 9AM – 3PM on site at your workstation, unless on travel.

This position performs intermediate professional work implementing permitting and compliance program support activities for the office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration (OWPER) section, in accordance with Chapters 403 and 373, Florida Statutes, and all Chapters in Florida Administrative Codes used to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP), the Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) program, the State permitting Program and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.

This position will evaluate potential environmental impacts and effects on water quality and surrounding ecosystems which result from construction and operation of large-scale civil works projects including reservoirs, impoundments, stormwater treatment areas, and engineering features designed to restore a more natural distribution of water flow, and changes to the existing regional surface water management system of canals and flood control structures.

The position requires the ability to rapidly complete the review of permitting materials in accordance with applicable statutes and rules to determine whether or not applications contain sufficient information to demonstrate that the benefits, goals and objectives of restoration activities will outweigh potential environmental impacts and are conducted in a manner consistent with Florida Law. The position requires the ability to understand and describe the complex, interdisciplinary relationships between water quality, wetland impacts, threatened and endangered species, hydrology, water supply and flood control, engineering, and contaminants issues, and consider and apply nuances associated with State and Federal law.

Provides permitting and compliance expertise on all OWPER related projects. Assists in the development of programmatic permitting materials. Coordinates with an interdisciplinary team to process restoration permits to the South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, and other entities. Reviews and processes various regulatory authorization requests in accordance with OWPER guidance documents supervisors’ instruction.

Analyzes and evaluates complex interdisciplinary projects applicable to proposed restoration activities per CERPRA, EFA, NEEPP, ERP, State permitting and NPDES statutes and rules and DEP policy and procedures. Performs post-permit issuance activities including permit modifications, extensions, letter authorizations, and processing permit deliverables. Processes operational compliance items and coordinates with compliance staff to ensure construction and operational activities are in compliance with permitted activities.

Support the planning, implementation and technical aspects of projects and project components developed under the CERPRA, EFA, NEEPP, ERP, State permitting and NPDES statutes, rules, and other programmatic restoration initiatives. Research statutes, rules, policies, and procedures related to restoration, environmental protection, water policy, and water resource management and determine applicability to program activities.

Completes written reports, creates, organizes, and maintains administrative files. Tracks permitting and compliance deadlines and prepares documents for review within time frames specified by rules, statutes, guidance documents, and manager. Updates permitting and compliance spreadsheets and databases, maintains and organizes electronic and hard copy folders of documents and files in an organized manner. Performs file audits to ensure compliance with Chapter 119 F.S. Tracks and maintains status of assigned projects.

Participate and work effectively as a facilitator, and member of program teams. Acts as Department representative in meetings and other activities together with Federal, State, and local agency staff regarding OWPER responsibilities and restoration activities. Professionally, and effectively coordinates with internal and external agency staff to facilitate communication and ensure efficient review, approval, and…