Environmental Specialist

Broward County is seeking an Environmental Specialist for its Environmental Permitting Division in Plantation, FL. The role involves managing environmental projects related to regulatory compliance with minimal supervision. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in environmental sciences and two years of relevant experience. Preferred qualifications include advanced degrees and various certifications. The position offers benefits such as health plans, retirement options, and paid time off.
REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCES

Broward County is not accepting attachments for this recruitment, including resumes or similar supporting documentation. Please ensure you complete the application in its entirety and include all information you want considered.

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking qualified candidates for Environmental Specialist to support the Environmental Permitting Division.

Benefits of Broward County Employment

High Deductible Health Plan – bi-weekly premiums:

Single $10.90 / Family $80.79

Includes a County Funded Health Savings Account of up to $2400 Annually

Consumer Driven Health Plan – bi-weekly premiums:

Single $82.58 / Family $286.79

Florida Retirement System (FRS) – Pension or Investment Plan

457 Deferred Compensation employee match

Eleven (11) paid holidays each year

Vacation (Paid Time Off) = 2 weeks per year

Up to 40 hours of Job Basis Leave for eligible positions

Tuition Reimbursement (Up to 2K annually)

General Description
Serves as a project manager for environmental projects related to regulatory compliance.
Works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental sciences, environmental planning or closely related field.

Requires two (2) years in environmental/natural resource program compliance or closely related experience.

International Degree Evaluation Language:
For consideration of international degrees, candidates must have it evaluated by an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), or Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). All associated expenses incurred are the responsibility of the candidate. To access the NACES directory of current members, please visit www.naces.org/members. To access the AICE directory of endorsed members, please visit https://aice-eval.org/endorsed-members. Completed evaluations do not guarantee an offer of employment and are subject to approval by Broward County Human Resources.

Special Certifications and Licenses
Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class E driver’s license for duration of appointment.

Preferences
Master's Degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, natural resources management or closely related field.
PhD Degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, natural resources management or closely related field.
Professional Wetland Scientist or Professional Soil Scientist.
FDEP-Certified Wetland Expert.
Certified Arborist or Certified Landscape Inspector.
OSHA HAZWOPER Certification.
Erosion and Sediment Control Certificate.
1 year experience with local or State rules and regulations regarding aquatic and wetland resources and environmental resource permitting.
1 year experience in wetland mitigation design and construction, including the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method and criteria for wetland jurisdictional determinations.
1 year experience in POSSE or Winchester.
1 year experience in State database systems (PA, RegDB).
1 year experience in GIS.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

Assists program manager overseeing the day-to-day operation of the Aquatic and Wetland Resources Program and the State-delegated Environmental Resource Permitting Program to ensure projects are reviewed and processed in accordance with regulatory and policy time frames. Coordinates between the Surface Water Management Program and the Aquatic and Wetland Resources Program when issuing the delegated State Environmental Resource Permits and ensure projects are reviewed in accordance with regulatory time frames. Acts as a liaison with other local, State (Department of Environmental Protection and South Florida Water Management District), and federal (Army Corps of Engineers) entities with jurisdiction over environmental licensing and permitting. Reviews and QA/QC’s issuance of Environmental Resource licenses/permits, request for additional information, and inspection reports. Manages projects and consultant coordination including regulatory time frames, organizing field work, project update meetings, and agreements. Maintains regulatory permits.
Trains Aquatic and Wetland Resources Program staff in the processing of Environmental Resource License (ERL) and SFWMD/FDEP ERP applications, Environmental Resource General License applications, and Jurisdictional Wetland Determination applications, to ensure the projects meet the technical standards for issuance, and comply with the rules and regulations of Broward County’s Pollution Control Code, state rules and regulations.
Applies scientific principles and method in the development of manuals, guidelines, permit applications, and procedures for implementing environmental resource programs; assists in writing, amending, and updating County environmental rules and regulations; prepares written technical reports and agency correspondence; coordinates and reviews environmental license applications, which include design plans, calculations, environmental information, and legal documentation, for consistency with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations; prepares environmental review comments and requests additional information from environmental engineers and consultants or property owners for revisions to calculations and designs; prepares environmental reports with project specific information, license conditions, environmental data, and calculation summaries; implements quality assurance procedures to ensure accurate and comprehensive site visits to assess the environmental conditions pre- and post-licensing; coordinates and communicates with owners, developers, attorneys, environmental engineers and consultants, mitigation banks, and the general public for the purpose of reviewing design plans and specifications and the issuance of environmental licenses. Evaluates and interprets hydrological, terrestrial, chemical and/or marine physical, geotechnical, laboratory, ecological, and biological data related to applications, licenses, compliance inspections, enforcement actions, and natural resource enhancement and protection projects.
Conducts and coordinates environmental compliance inspections; assists with and manages issuance of appropriate warnings, notices of violation, and/or other enforcement actions, as warranted, against respondents with non-compliance issues and/or violations cited; participates in hearings concerning violations of federal, state and local laws; maintains enforcement case files.
Provides assistance with e-Permits implementation, improvements, training, and troubleshooting; maintains POSSE database as necessary; creates and maintain management reports, and assists with Quarterly Performance Measures data collection; coordinates with other team members processing and approving of Planning and Environmental Reviews, as well as plat, easement, and similar county record reviews; coordinates update of internal ArcGIS Aquatic and Wetland Resources maps.
Stays abreast of current environmental Federal, State, and local regulations and policies.

Performs related work as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Demands

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Performs light work that involves walking or standing most of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of electronic office equipment within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy.
Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

Involves routine and frequent exposure to traffic; moving machinery.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

Competencies
• Manages Complexity
Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Looks at complex issues from multiple angles; explores issues to uncover underlying issues and root causes; sees the main consequences and implications of different options.
• Decision Quality
Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. Knows when to act independently and when to escalate issues. Integrates various inputs, decision criteria, and trade-offs to make effective decisions. Typically makes good independent decisions.
• Action Oriented
Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. Takes immediate, decisive, independent action to resolve issues or problems. Persists as needed. Quickly and consistently identifies and pursues beneficial new opportunities.
• Optimizes Work Processes
Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Pays close attention to a variety of metrics and benchmarks; determines both major and subtle ways to optimize processes. Swiftly resolves process breakdowns; takes steps to ensure that problems do not recur.
• Ensures Accountability
Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. Accepts responsibility for own work, both successes and failures. Handles fair share and does not make excuses for problems. Usually meets commitments to others.
• Drives Results
Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Holds self to high standards of performance; sets some challenging goals; wants to achieve meaningful results; pursues initiatives/efforts to successful completion and closure. Focuses on key goals, even during setbacks and obstacles.
• Communicates Effectively
Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.

County Core ValuesAll Broward County employees strive to demonstrate the County's four core behavioral competencies.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Customer focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Instills trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Values differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance
Broward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion. Broward County is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. We support the hiring of people with disabilities; therefore, if you require assistance due to a disability, please contact the Professional Standards Section in advance at 954-357-6500 or email Profstandards@broward.org to make an accommodation request.

Emergency Management Responsibilities
Note: During emergency conditions, all County employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. County employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situation and are expected to perform emergency service duties, as assigned.

County-wide Employee Responsibilities
All Broward County employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of Broward County's Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies.

All Broward County employees must establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.