Engineering Specialist IV

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:

This position will be responsible for providing hydrographic and technical support to ensure the effective implementation of laws, regulations, and policies related to Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater program. The Hydrographic Engineer's role includes offering engineering services to the DEP Districts’ ERP Permitting and Compliance Assistance Programs, while also providing expert guidance to ERP and Water Management District Staff to ensure statewide regulatory consistency. In addition to supporting the regulatory process, this position assists with rulemaking efforts, development of policy, and creation of guidance documents. The engineer may also represent the program by providing testimony for administrative proceedings with the Division of Administrative Hearings.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Division of Water Resource Management (DWRM) is responsible for implementing state laws providing for the protection of the quality of Florida’s drinking water, ground water, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands, and reclamation of mined lands. This position plays a critical role in helping to ensure Florida’s groundwater and surface water resources, as well as public health, are protected by providing critical oversight over the implementation of the statewide Program Technical Services Program.

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, 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 www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

As directed, assist in engineering evaluations and provide guidance to ensure compliance with state water quality standards. This involves reviewing Environmental Resource Permit applications to assess hydrographic impacts, sedimentation, nutrient management, pollutant loading in basin and coastal regions, and permit compliance activities.

Conduct on-site hydrographic inspections to confirm the existing site conditions and support the engineering review of proposed activities.

Provide outreach to the public and other Division programs to improve statewide regulatory consistency, such as making presentations at conferences or meetings, preparing guidance documents, assisting with rulemaking, training and providing technical assistance for Department and Water Management District staff.

Develop and maintain a working knowledge of computer modeling in hydrology, hydraulics, hydro science, pollution concentration, sediment deposition, and flushing.

Maintain a working knowledge of Department employment policies and internal administrative procedures; complete in a timely manner required employment-related training and reporting.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of hydrologic, hydraulic and stormwater engineering principles, with expertise in basin water quality assessment and management. Proficient in analyzing watershed hydrology, evaluating water quality parameters, and assessing pollutant loading and nutrient dynamics in surface water systems.
• Knowledge of, or ability to acquire expertise in, earthen embankment design, construction, safety and operation. Familiarity with engineering design, construction, and procedures for marine development activities in Florida, including coastal and estuarine water quality management.
• Ability to inspect and evaluate dams, dredged material management areas, docks, marinas, and navigational channels according to established engineering practices. Knowledge of, or ability to learn governmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to mining, reclamation, and water quality protection.
• Skilled in reviewing engineering drawings for verification (as-built) and conducting investigations related to reclamation and water quality issues. Strong ability to plan, organize, and prioritize project reviews, while effectively communicating technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proficient in using office applications, databases, numerical modeling software, and geographical information systems for environmental analysis and reporting.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to travel and maintain a valid driver's license.

Required Qualifications:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one year of verifiable related experience; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of four years.

Other Job-Related Requirements for this position:

• Valid Driver’s License
• The incumbent of this position has been identified as emergency Mission Essential Personnel in accordance with Directive 971 and, in that capacity, may be required, on short notice, to perform duties and travel in support of emergency efforts.

Position of Special Trust Requirement: 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 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 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).

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.