Environmental Specialist

Salary 

$36,691.20 Annually

Location 

Gainesville, FL

Job Type

Full-Time

Department

Parks & Conservation Lands

Job Number

FY18-07554

Closing

8/10/2018 11:59 PM Eastern

Minimum Qualifications

 

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, chemistry, natural science, or a related field and one year of related environmental experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida driver's license. Successful completion of a criminal history background investigation is required prior to employment. Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.

This position is in Parks and Conservation Land Division.

 

Position Summary

 

This is an entry-level professional position that may include work in any of the following areas depending on the hiring division: coordination and performance activities of environmental programs, compliance review and inspection of environmentally affected sites, implementation of land management activities and environmental site evaluation, environmental regulation research, field sampling and testing, hazardous materials collection or management, public education activities, and record-keeping and data coordination.

Depending on the hiring division, the employee assigned to this classification may be responsible for conducting various compliance reviews and inspections, field sampling, drafting enforcement action, reviewing data for permits, testifying at administrative hearings, assessing, monitoring and managing natural areas as needed. Responsibilities will vary according to division assignment within the Environmental Protection Department (Water Resources, Pollution Prevention) or Parks and Conservation Lands Department (Land Conservation).
 

Work is performed under the direction of a higher level professional supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

 

 

Examples of Duties

 

Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, employees in this classification may be required to report to work.

Conducts periodic compliance inspections of areas, facilities, and activities that come under environmental regulation such as: hazardous materials facilities; closures and cleanup activities; wastewater treatment facilities; tank sites; drinking water wells, and other environmental related complaints. Reviews permit and compliance status.


Reviews project plans, specifications, and/or permit applications at the direction of supervisor for compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.

Prepares data summaries including tables, charts, spreadsheets, maps and databases for evaluation and tracking of environmental data.

At the direction of supervisor, investigates complaints from citizens regarding alleged hazardous or unsafe environmental conditions.
 

Operates environmental monitoring equipment according to standard operating procedures and documents data and field measurements.

Performs field collection of environmental samples, documents data and prepares summary reports.

Researches and assists in development of new environmental regulations and education materials.

Operates, as required, motor vehicles (including departmental motor vehicles), as well as small equipment and machinery in order to conduct field tests, inspections, and investigations to obtain data for use in determining code compliance, sources of, and methods for controlling County-wide environmental pollutants.

Refers unsuccessful enforcement attempts to supervisor for review and follow-up. May draft Warning Notices if needed.

May assist with land acquisition and stewardship activities such as controlled burns, exotic plant control, field inspections, and environmental monitoring.

Performs related duties as required.

Water Resources Division
Performs inspections of groundwater wells, wastewater treatment facilities and other environmentally affected sites for compliance with regulations or planning or monitoring purposes.

Assists with special projects involving data collection, permit requirement review and application of non-point source pollution reduction practices.

Implements the county-wide ambient surface water and groundwater monitoring programs; and assists with water quality special projects and grants related to water quality assessment, TMDLs, shoreline and stream restoration, and public education.

Pollution Prevention Division (includes Petroleum Management, Hazardous Materials, and Hazardous Waste Collection)

Collects, receives and processes for proper recycling/disposal hazardous wastes, household and automotive chemicals, paints solvents and electronic scrap from households and small businesses.

Inspects and maintains hazardous waste collection areas to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures in order to maintain safe and environmentally responsible handling of hazardous materials.

Operates, on an occasional basis, a forklift and truck to transport drums of hazardous waste materials.

Coordinates the request for and receipt of information necessary to obtain operating, installation and closure permits.

Performs emergency spill response as required for hazardous materials or petroleum product spills in support of first responders to coordinate remediation of spills.

Parks & Conservation Land Division

Implements land stewardship activities on Alachua County natural areas under higher-level supervision, including exotic plant control, prescribed burning, forestry, data collection, site development, maintenance and security.

Assists with drafting scopes of services and overseeing contractors.

Evaluates natural areas for acquisition and management; performs conservation easement compliance inspections and public outreach activities.

Operates light or medium equipment such as farm tractors to prep lines for prescribed burning and/or debris clean up, chippers, and skid steer for restoration projects.


NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of codes, laws and environmental program rules and requirements related to area of environmental coverage.

Knowledge of environmental sampling techniques, sampling equipment and quality control procedures in field activities.

Knowledge of local, state and federal rules, regulations and ordinances related to environmental protection.

Knowledge of local flora and fauna, as it relates to the Land Conservation division of Parks and Conservation Lands Department.
 
Knowledge of computer, word processing and data management programs and Geographic Information Systems.

Skill in dealing effectively with facility owners, governmental officials and citizens.

Ability to follow standard operating procedures and compile routine reports and maintain accurate records.

Ability to operate field monitoring or sampling equipment after a suitable training period.

Ability to implement resource management techniques, utilize related equipment and follow safety procedures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as it relates to the Land Conservation division of the Parks and Conservation Lands Department.

Skill in the operation of motor vehicles.

Ability to follow hazardous waste safety/emergency procedures, including use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees, other governmental agencies and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee occasionally is required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 80 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions and is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock.

The employee may perform field work in inclement weather and harsh conditions such as wet areas and dense brush with biting insects, venomous animals or irritating plants.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.