OPS Environmental Specialist II - Tallahassee, FL

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II -  job at State of Florida. Tallahassee, FL.

Requisition No: 857562

Agency:
Environmental Protection

Working Title:

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II -

Pay Plan:
Temp

Position Number:

Salary: 22.28 - 27.85 hourly

Posting Closing Date: 08/14/2025

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

The OPS Environmental Specialist II, position number , is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Water Quality Standards Program (WQSP), Aquatic Ecology and Quality Assurance Section (AEQAS) in Tallahassee, Florida and will be responsible for providing quality assurance support throughout DEP. This position will assist section staff with conducting field and laboratory audits, performing data analysis and data usability assessments, providing DEP SOP and related QA training, conducting environmental field sampling, and review, interpretation and reporting of environmental data.

The duties of this position involve specialized professional environmental work performing data quality assessment, data interpretation, and related quality assessment activities. This position requires a technical background in the environmental and chemical sciences with specific focus on Quality Assurance (QA) protocols of environmental measurement systems, as well as well-developed communication skills.

Consults with programs throughout the Department on issues concerning the appropriateness and quality of scientific information generated for environmental decision-making. Includes interaction with Department program managers and QA officers on issues related to their QA activities and data quality assessments. Assists in annual compilation of Department QA activities and goals.

Participates in field and lab audits. Assists in the preparation and/or review of DEP SOPs and other documents for field and laboratory procedures. Participates in the organization and delivery of QA training activities, including but not limited to, DEP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) training. Assists in the preparation of training materials, including training videos for DEP and non-DEP audiences. Gives presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.

Conducts environmental field sampling as needed, using a wide array of highly sophisticated water chemistry, sediment, and bioassessment methods for a variety of projects including, but not limited to, water quality standards development, use attainability analysis, biological assessment development, and site specific alternative criteria analysis following standard DEP protocols and QA procedures.

Provides scientific review, evaluation, and interpretation of chemical and biological data and reports in support of Section, Program and Division projects, and makes recommendations to assist DEP programs.

• Knowledge of Quality Assurance (QA) principles, including field, laboratory, and data validation activities.
• Knowledge of environmental field sampling techniques, terminology, principles, and methodologies.
• Ability to collect water quality and biological samples while in harsh environments while following strict QA procedures.
• Knowledge of computer software programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to provide scientific review, evaluation, and interpretation of chemical and biological data.
• Ability to write and edit environmental assessment reports.
• Ability to give presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work in teams and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to organize workloads, work independently, and solve problems.
• Ability to travel, including long days and overnight travel.
• Ability to drive and maintain a valid driver’s license.

• At least 5 years of verifiable related experience in environmental science. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, engineering sciences,…