Environmental Consultant

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT -

Position Overview and Responsibilities: The Environmental Consultant ) is an advanced environmental professional position in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Water Quality and Restoration Program, Ground Water Management Section in Tallahassee. The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating activities associated with implementing the state’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)/Watershed Management Program through the development and implementation of restoration plans, known as Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) covering Outstanding Florida Spring (OFS) systems.

The incumbent has the responsibility of handling various assignments, and representing the Program, as necessary, in both internal and external meetings. The incumbent deals with a variety of tasks, including extensive stakeholder outreach, and must use independent judgement and problem‑solving skills to successfully accomplish the job. Critical thinking and highly effective communication and interpersonal skills are a must for this position.

Works with Department staff and stakeholders to establish locally supported BMAPs. Responsible for consensus‑building and group decision‑making. This includes organizing meetings, leading discussions, preparing agendas, background papers, maps, tables, presentation materials and other documents and materials, and coordinating with TMDL and BMAP development contractors to provide a basis for decision‑making in developing and implementing BMAPs. Formulates basin‑specific approaches to stakeholder participation in developing BMAPs.

Contacts stakeholders individually by phone, e‑mail, or other means, including follow‑up with stakeholders to ensure that minutes, action items, and other tasks are completed. Maintains e‑mail distribution lists for specific basins to inform stakeholders of TMDL/BMAP‑related meetings and disseminate TMDL/BMAP information. Ensures that Program and District Office staff are informed of and involved in BMAP development processes. Manages projects, particularly with respect to projects supporting BMAP development.

Prepares draft BMAPs or BMAP sections that reflect stakeholder input. Ensures proper coordination in the Department and among stakeholders in BMAP drafting and review and in securing local acceptance, Department approvals, and Secretarial adoption of BMAPs.

Works to coordinate activities with stakeholders, such as nutrient source inventories or draft BMAPs, and participating in TMDL development. Prepares informational materials for use by the public and internally; develops maps, tables, calendars, templates, and other documents to strengthen stakeholder support and participation in plan development and other stakeholder processes. Works with stakeholders to organize workshops and briefings and makes presentations to governmental agencies, local officials, the public, and other interested parties.

Organizes and participates in specific basin stakeholder meetings and assists other Basin Coordinators in organizing and conducting local decision‑making processes.

Assures that BMAP implementation meetings and reporting requirements are carried out as identified and scheduled in adopted BMAPs and other related watershed plans. Initiates meetings and other communications with stakeholders and Department staff on the status of actions identified in BMAPs, on water quality results, and on the status of other environmental responses to BMAP implementation. Provides summary progress reports and other information to Program and Division managers on actions identified in approved BMAPs and related plans.

Serves as facilitator, team leader, or member of Program/Section approved teams to ensure completion of assigned tasks. Assists WMDs, local governments, and federal agencies in incorporating priority water quality improvement projects and budgets in applicable planning documents, such as watershed restoration plans. Review and comment on WMD Surface Water Improvement and Management Act (SWIM)…