Environmental Scientist II-C-E-000006518

Environmental Protection Commission

• Environmental Scientist II – Wetlands Division (Compliance Assurance and MWP/FDEP ERP Sections)
• $26.11 - $41.00 Hourly
• $54,308.80 - $85,280.00 Yearly

Performs professional and technical environmental duties in the field.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in a Natural Science; and

Two or more years of experience in environmental protection or control, or environmental laboratory analysis; and

Possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.

Or

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-specific competencies noted below.

Core Competencies

• Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of our customers and provide the highest standards of service.
• Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional, and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.
• Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations.
• Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Job Specific Competencies

Compliance Assurance Section

• Perform investigations and site inspections in response to complaints received from citizens, other regulatory agencies, and EPC staff. These complaint allegations may involve: the removal or unauthorized alteration of mangroves and other wetland vegetation, unpermitted marine construction, turbid water run-off and the unauthorized placement of fill within wetland areas. Complaint investigations require aerial and site permit history reviews, field measurements (tree heights, water turbidity levels, impact areas within wetlands or other surface waters) and coordination with outside agencies, consultants, and property owners to resolve violations and compliance issues without formal enforcement action.
• Conduct site inspections for MWP, MAIW, IP, construction sites and mangrove permit compliance. Keep the SQL database and the compliance Excel spreadsheet updated.
• At sites that are out of compliance, collect evidence of the out of compliance area to use in a violation case file.
• Notify responsible parties of the non-compliance issue and ask for corrective actions and timelines. Reinspect out of compliance sites to ensure compliance with required corrective actions.
• Participate in case resolution meetings and settlement negotiations. Draft and finalize compliance / enforcement related documents and actions to resolve noncompliance with EPC rules and the EPC delegated responsibilities. Maintain enforcement tracking database.
• Specific skill that are useful:
• Experience in wetland delineations pursuant to 62-340, F.A.C., plant id, hydric soil identification, wetland hydrology. Application of Federal, State, and local environmental laws and regulations as they pertain to environmental permitting, construction plan review. Entering and maintaining databases.

Minor Work Permits/FDEP ERP Section

• Conducts reviews of marine construction permit applications and associated plan sets in order to determine adherence to applicable regulations, including the EPC Basis of Review for Authorization of Activities Pursuant to Chapter 1-11, the Port Tampa Bay Submerged Lands Management Rules, 62-330 F.A.C., and the U.S. Amry Corps of Engineers State Programmatic General Permit (SPGP) permit instrument.
• Performs site inspections during and after the review process and maintains a detailed report of onsite conditions. Maintains a detailed review file for every project.
• Performs reviews of both historic and current aerial imagery. Conducts regular updates of permitting databases.
• Assists citizens and contractors with modifying proposals to meet regulatory criteria and avoid environmental impacts by providing guidance and feedback.
• Drafts formal documents including permits, notices, and requests for additional information.
• Research prior permit documents.

Representative Duties

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. 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. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Conducts or supervises laboratory tests using chemical, physical, microbiological, chromatographic, atomic absorption and colorimetric analyses of substances to determine if pollutants are harmful.
• Conducts independent chemical, microbiological, and biological research, experiments and comprehensive evaluation studies to determine the effects of potential and existing environmental contamination.
• Develops new and improved laboratory procedures.
• Reviews permit applications, field reviews and wetland delineations, plants, complaints and investigations submitted by subordinates and clients.
• Uses aerial photographs for assessing site guidance, ditching patterns, continuity of systems, extent of watersheds, and adjacent land use.
• Samples water taken from water bodies and tributaries to determine quality and habitat information.
• May operate self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) equipment or boats.
• Prepares and submits detailed reports of activities.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently required to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods of time. 
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. 
• Must be able to lift at least 20 ponds.
• Work outside in the field on a regular basis.

This classification description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as an all-inclusive list of the duties associated with a particular position. Management may require incumbents to perform job duties other than those contained in this document at any time.

EPC is an alcohol and drug-free work environment.  Employees may be required to take drug and alcohol tests (e.g. - post-accident or reasonable suspicion).  EPC and Hillsborough County follow the guidelines for both Federal and State laws for the testing of drugs including marijuana or the presence of THC.  If an employee tests positive for THC or marijuana, the test will be considered a positive drug test even if an employee uses cannabidiol (CBD) products and/or has a medical marijuana card.