Field Compliance Inspector

Work for Our Water Resources.

Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Regulatory Support Bureau

Here's your opportunity to help ensure that our precious water resources are protected. Maximize your skills and your ability to make a positive difference within the Regulatory Support Bureau, a section with our Regulation Division. The Compliance Inspector will conduct regulatory compliance field inspections related to Environmental, Water Use, and Well Construction permitting. You will have the opportunity to make a difference in this promising position; playing a vital role in our efforts to preserve our most valuable natural resources.

District employees are offered an excellent total rewards package that includes:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) District Total Contribution 13.63%
• 9 paid holidays (+ 1 floating holiday)
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Paid Parental Leave, including Maternity, Bonding and Family Supportive Work Program
• Medical and dental insurance (91- 97% District paid)
• Vision insurance
• Deferred compensation Program
• Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability (District Paid)
• Prescription drug coverage & mail order program
• Health savings & flexible spending accounts

• Flexible schedule for Work-life balance
• Legal and Identity Theft protection
• Wellness program
• Public service loan forgiveness qualified employer
• Tuition reimbursement ($5,250/year)
• State adoption benefit qualified employer
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Transfer in years of service for other public sector work – towards the FRS program and sick time

Starting Compensation:

Compliance Inspector 1 $19.50 - $22.18
Compliance Inspector 2 $20.78 - $23.63

The starting hourly ranges are included for the Field Services Compliance Inspector profile which reflects the minimum to approximately 25% of the respective pay grades. The starting hourly range will be based on the education and experience of the successful candidate. The District conducts annual performance evaluations that may award applicable pay increases based on positive employee performance.

Essential Functions

• Conducts routine compliance investigations relating to Environmental Resource Permitting: Conducts construction, as-built and re-certification inspections. Reviews approved plans and/or as-built drawings to verify construction is in accordance with approved design. Conducts site inspection to: document environmental features; note operation of related structures; record vegetative composition; and verify location, size, height and depth of retention/detention ponds, related conveyance parameters, filled areas, levees, pipes, canals, impervious areas, etc. Reviews the file of record to determine compliance with permit conditions. Inspects project sites to observe mitigation planting, water level, vegetative recruitment and maintenance. Notes discrepancies, if discovered, and drafts summary report and recommendations.
• Conducts routine compliance investigations relating to Water Use Permitting: Observes and documents on-site activity and records data. Obtains information used to verify the requirements for a water use permit to record possible violations and to determine the appropriateness of renewing permits. Reviews water use permit conditions placed on existing permits, compares information to existing conditions and notes discrepancies. Conducts site inspections to verify compliance with permit conditions, installs withdrawal identification tags, and documents compliance status of permit conditions.
• Conducts or assists with field and office work relating to Well Construction Permitting: Observes and documents well grouting and abandonment operations and notes discrepancies between observed activities, permit stipulations and proper procedures. Conducts random well inspections to verify proper construction methods. Reports and investigates well-construction related complaints. Completes and submits summary reports. Inspects public supply well sites: documents potential contamination sources and measures distances from the proposed well sites, examines project plans and compares them to proposed sites. Assists in coordinating site development and review with local agencies and the District's well construction permitting staff. Reviews and issues well construction permits.
• Conducts or assists with compliance investigations of water-resource related complaints: Reviews complaint inquiries, contacts involved parties, and reviews related permit files. Conducts site inspections, documents activity and completes report. Obtains other data (e.g., property owner information from the county property appraiser and aerial maps from the District), creates and updates a Water Management Information System (WMIS) compliance file and submits it for review, along with supporting materials and recommendations.
• Section support responsibilities: Answers questions from the public related to permitting and compliance matters. Assists applicants in completing permit applications. Responds to, or where appropriate, routes citizen's questions to applicable staff. The District plays a critical, emergency management role before, during and after major storm events and/or in conjunction with the overall emergency management strategy, operations and recovery for the State of Florida. The employee therefore may be required to perform duties as assigned before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies. Such duties may include the employee's normal work functions, or other emergency support functions as determined necessary by the District. Participates in departmental projects and performs other duties as required.

Working Conditions

Work is divided between the field and office, with most of the work conducted in the field. Extensive travel, generally during the workday, is required. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Fieldwork is frequently conducted under adverse weather conditions, and may involve remote, undeveloped and/or isolated sites. Work may be conducted on or around open water, wetlands or marshes. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Activities / Requirements:
May be exposed to extremes in temperature and humidity, as well as a variety of pests, including mosquitoes and ticks. Work activity consists of continuous repetitive tasks using hands and feet (such as, keyboarding, use of machetes or hammer). Frequently lifts and carries 20-pound objects, with an occasional requirement to lift and carry objects weighing up to 60 pounds (such as manhole covers). The ability to dig around well heads, using shovels and metal probes frequently. Must be able to frequently bend, squat and reach above shoulder level. Must be able to drive automotive vehicle for two hours or more at a time.

Employee may be subject to call-in outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including on nights, weekends or holidays, to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.

Required Credentials for Compliance Inspector Opportunity

Job Profile

Education

Years of Exp

Equivalency

Field Compliance Inspector 1

High School Diploma

1

No

Field Compliance Inspector 2

Associates

2

Yes

Application Process

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, the District employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the required District application for the purpose of qualification. Applicants who are within 30 days of graduation, if selected are not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met.

Additional Details

This position is typically scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, out of the Tampa, Bartow, or Sarasota, FL office. This position is eligible for overtime for hours worked over 40 hours, in a week.

Travel Required

Yes. Extensive travel, using District vehicle, within District's coverage area

Accepting applications until January 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM

About Us

Managing the water resources for west-central Florida, our District includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.

Apply Now

The District prides itself on providing a positive work flexible environment that engages and supports our employees. This could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Click on the link to apply and put yourself to work for our water resources.

#WorkForOurWater

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses.

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office Chief, at 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only); or email ADACoordinator@WaterMatters.org. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA.

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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