Job Summary:
The Environmental Scientist II and III supports District environmental programs and/or activities and ensures environmental compliance under Florida statutes. This position conducts environmental sampling, evaluates and/or analyzes data, compiles data, and/or assists with technical report writing in order to meet project goals and objectives.
Job Duties Include:
Environmental Scientist II
- Assist the public through outreach, answering phone calls and conducting meetings to provide subject matter expertise or project/application requirements.
- Review project and/or application materials including rule interpretation, GIS review, aerial interpretation, application correspondence, plan review, and database entry.
- Coordinates work teams to conduct field reviews of project or application materials, including evaluation of water quality, soils, vegetation, and/or hydrologic indicators.
- Perform data collection, data analysis, quality assurance, and quality control reviews.
- Perform biological monitoring work including mapping and monitoring.
- Prepare technical staff reports and provide scientific support for projects.
- Conduct site visits and inspections by land or river.
- Act as a District liaison with the public, local governments, and applicants; attend agency meetings, public meetings, and trainings, and give presentations.
- Perform some of the following duties specific to the assigned District Office:
- The responsibilities for this position include ensuring compliance with and enforcing the District’s rules adopted pursuant to Ch. 373, Fla. Stat. In this regard, when required, this position shall do the following concerning possible rule violations: perform field inspections, prepare written reports, send inquiry/compliance letters, make recommendations on the issuance of stop work orders, make recommendations on whether rule violations exist, make recommendations on punitive and/or remedial actions to be taken. Therefore, this position is considered a code enforcement officer for this District.
- Determining the limits of jurisdictional wetlands by identifying the characteristic vegetation, soils, and hydrology. Evaluating wetland boundaries established by consultants.
- Identifying wetlands and determining the limits of jurisdictional wetlands through the evaluation of hydrophytic vegetation, hydrologic indicators, and hydric soils and verifying the landward extent of wetlands established by consultants.
- Performing desktop evaluations of site-specific characteristics including the National Wetlands Inventory, NRCS soil surveys, LiDAR data, etc.
- Technical wetland review of environmental resource and Works of the District permit applications, plans, narratives, and descriptions for completeness and accuracy.
- Determining the need for and, if necessary, requesting additional information to fully assess potential environmental impact of a project.
- Preparing technical staff reports recommending approval or denial of projects.
- Performing pre-application site inspections or in-house meetings; handling permit-related questions.
- Investigating and documenting complaints; and making recommendations to the Chief Engineer on how to resolve them.
- Managing compliance cases by coordinating with affected parties, consultants, attorneys, and other agencies to bring cases to resolution.
- Manage complaints by responding to phone calls, reviewing site history, conducting site visits, and corresponding with landowners and consultants.
- Recommend avoidance measures, and review mitigation projects for permit applicants in order to reduce detrimental impact of projects on the environment.
- Review and monitor wetland mitigation projects in support of the goal of ‘no net loss of wetland function’ in the District.
- Review permitted projects for compliance with permit conditions and District rules.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Environmental Scientist III
In addition to ES II duties:
- Perform field inspections by land or river.
- Conduct field reviews of simple projects or application materials, including evaluation of water quality, soils, vegetation, and/or hydrologic indicators.
- Develop, implement, and document Standard Operating Procedures, Quality Assurance Procedures, and Helpful Hints.
- Perform some of the following duties specific to the assigned District Office:
- Manage Florida Department of Transportation Mitigation projects per 373.4137, F.S.
- Evaluate complex compliance cases.
- Evaluate wetland delineations and identifications.
- Evaluate Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) determinations.
- Recommend avoidance measures, and review mitigation projects for permit applicants in order to reduce detrimental impact of projects on the environment.
- Determine the need for and, if necessary, request additional information in order to fully assess the environmental rules for ERP applications.
- Review and monitor wetland mitigation projects in support of the goal of ‘no net loss of wetland function’ in the District.
- Review permitted projects for compliance with permit conditions and District rules.
- Prepare and deliver presentations on ERP topics at public meetings and education or outreach opportunities.
- Send inquiry/compliance letters, make recommendations on the issuance of stop work orders, make recommendations on whether rule violations exist, make recommendations on punitive and/or remedial actions to be taken.
- Conduct Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) determinations.
- Conduct wetland delineation and identification.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans Preference/Drug Free/Tobacco Free Workplace