Environmental Scientist I or II (One Position Available)

Environmental Scientist I and II 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 I

• Assist with data collection and analysis, quality assurance, and quality control reviews to document key indicators of the health of natural systems and facilitate the analysis and archiving of biological data.
• Investigate the use of remote sensing for evaluating the areal extent of algal blooms, submerged aquatic vegetation and other key indicators of the health of natural systems.
• Provide technical assistance with management, analysis and communication of data in support of special projects.
• Provide field support for project as needed.
• Help draft technical reports and publications.
• 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:
  1. 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.
  2. Reviews Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) applications for compliance with applicable criteria and prepares technical staff reports of findings.
  3. Communicating regulations effectively with the public.
  4. Documenting and following up complaints.  Initiating solutions.
  5. Performs site inspections of projects and reviews plans to determine compliance with permits.
  6. Meets with applicants, engineers and environmental consultants, in person and by phone, to discuss regulatory requirements.
  7. Participating in policy and rulemaking process.
  8. Providing input to the compliance and enforcement process.
  9. Providing interagency coordination and representing the District as needed, including giving presentations as needed.
  10. Reviews Water Use Permit (WUP) applications for compliance with applicable wetland criteria and prepares technical staff reports of findings.
  11. Inspects in-house and contractual field projects to monitor progress.
  12. Manage complaints by responding to phone calls, reviewing site history, conducting site visits, and corresponding with landowners and consultants. 
  13. Review and monitor wetland mitigation projects in support of the goal of ‘no net loss of wetland function’ in the District.

Environmental Scientist II
In addition to ES I duties:

• 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:
  • 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.
  • Recommend avoidance measures, and review mitigation projects for permit applicants in order to reduce detrimental impact of projects on the environment.
  • Review permitted projects for compliance with permit conditions and District rules.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans Preference/Drug Free/Tobacco Free Workplace