SCIENTIST SENIOR

The South Florida Water Management District is seeking a Senior Scientist or Engineer for its Water Quality Bureau. The role involves analyzing environmental data, ensuring compliance with permits, and advising on water management strategies. Candidates should have experience in data analysis, water quality monitoring, and strong communication skills. The position offers opportunities for professional development and impactful work but is located in West Palm Beach, FL, indicating it is not remote.
Environmental Scientist or Engineer

The Water Quality Bureau’s Compliance Assessment and Reporting Section is seeking to fill an experienced environmental professional with advanced technical expertise in environmental data science, water quality, and hydrology. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, exercises sound professional judgment, and communicates effectively with internal staff and diverse stakeholders. This role involves compiling and analyzing water quality and hydrologic data, ensuring compliance with environmental permits and standards, and advising on water resource management strategies. If you have experience in environmental data analysis and assessment, and are committed to continuous improvement - we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities
• Utilize data analysis tools (Microsoft Excel, Python, R, SQL) to extract, transform, analyze and visualize environmental data, ensuring accuracy and integrity in all deliverables.
• Able to use machine learning to automate routine tasks and enhance efficiency.
• Respond to urgent requests for water quality data assessment and statistical analysis related to water management operations, storm events, construction projects, and ongoing monitoring optimization activities.
• Determine compliance with permit conditions, including performing nutrient and constituent load calculations based on water quality and hydrologic data.
• Summarize, document, and present findings through reports, presentations, and fact sheets for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate, track, and respond to internal and external data requests.

Why Join Us?
• Impactful Work: Contribute to sustainable environmental solutions and help shape water resource management strategies.
• Professional Development: Opportunity to work with leading experts in the field and grow your technical and leadership skills.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals committed to making a difference through teamwork and innovation.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in environmental data analysis, water quality monitoring, watershed assessment, or hydrologic modeling; especially environmental data reporting to demonstrate regulatory compliance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to work independently and solve complex problems in a deadline-driven environment.
• Familiarity with Southern Florida aqueous environmental contaminants of concern (primarily nutrients), water quality regulations and standards (Florida Statutes, F.A.C., Clean Water Act, NPDES, TMDLs), and hydrological processes (e.g., rainfall-runoff, storage, seepage).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to a wide range of audiences, including management, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to track and make progress on multiple tasks in an organized manner and demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills.

The available position may be filled as any of the following:
Engineer Series: Senior Engineer, Staff Engineer, or Engineering Specialist 4
Scientist Series: Senior Scientist, Scientist 4, or Scientist 3

Please refer to the following table for Education, Professional Licensure, and Experience requirements:

Position

Degree

Professional Licensure*

Relevant Experience (years)

Senior Engineer

Engineering

PE

6

Staff Engineer

Engineering

PE

4

Engineering Specialist 4

Engineering

EIT

4

Senior Scientist

Non-Engineering

None

6

Scientist 4

Non-Engineering

None

4

Scientist 3

Non-Engineering

None

2
• License for Lead Engineer, Senior Engineer and Staff Engineer:

Requires a valid State of Florida Professional Engineer (PE) License and keeps licensure status current OR ability to obtain Florida PE License within six months of employment by reciprocation of Professional Engineer License from another state.

License for Engineering Specialist 1 - 4:
Requires a valid Engineer-In-Training certification, and candidate must work towards and attain a State of Florida Professional Engineer (PE) License.

Physical Requirements/ Working Environment:
Due to the District's response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times, be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies.

Veterans' Preference:
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. All documentation is due by the close of the job posting.

Americans with Disabilities Act:
The South Florida Water Management District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Bureau at HR_Solutions@sfwmd.gov.

Salary Minimum

$59,966.40

Salary Midpoint:

$71,281.60

Organization

WR4404442 COMPLIANCE PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT

Salary Maximum

$102,793.60