Ops Environmental Specialist Ii

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II -

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Working Title:

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II -

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection - Southeast Region

This position is located in Marathon, FL

The Ecosystem Assessment Specialist (ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II) is responsible for managing the environmental monitoring programs, including water quality, seagrass, and hardbottom, within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) that are co-managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Specifically, this position will focus on the activities within Lignumvitae Key and Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserves.

This position supports two environmental programs that impact the lives of Florida citizens, either directly or indirectly. You will help a team of scientists working in the Florida Keys Aquatic Preserves and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to protect our valuable and precious marine resources. There are also many opportunities to interact with the rest of the agency personnel in Miami, Tallahassee, and other regions throughout the state of Florida.

Among other tasks, the responsibilities of this position include:

• Participation in the planning, coordination and implementation of resource management and research projects within FKNMS and Aquatic Preserves to protect or enhance the resources, better understand their function, and/or advance the science necessary to better respond to the coral disease outbreak or other management priorities. Cooperates with or assists other researchers to maximize the research accomplished.
• Developing and maintaining an inventory of the resources within the Aquatic Preserves and their condition through field collection of samples, sample processing, monitoring, analyzing and sharing of data with other researchers and managers, and review of technical literature and databases.
• Participation in developing and/or reviewing resource management projects, goals and objectives at the central office, department, regional and statewide levels, including updating the aquatic preserve management plans, and annual priority plans, as necessary.
• Overseeing and conducting educational programs to better acquaint the general public and resource users with the natural resources and resource protection needs of FKNMS and the Aquatic Preserves. Activities may include giving talks at classes, staffing outreach booths at events, conducting interpretative field trips, producing and distributing outreach materials, and encouraging volunteer efforts to assist with resource management needs.
• Representing DEP at various meetings and public settings, including making presentations, as needed, to ensure that the public and other agencies are aware of site-specific issues and management objectives.
• Snorkels and SCUBA dives as required to conduct scientific research, monitoring, management and restoration activities. Work with the DEP UDSO to ensure appropriate training, approval of snorkel/dive plans, maintenance of dive records, and compliance with the DEP Underwater Operations Manual, and all relevant regulations of the DEP.
• Operating and maintaining vehicles, vessels, trailers, field equipment and personal computers as required to accomplish these tasks.
• Managing administrative tasks including tracking allocated funds, purchasing needed materials, data entry and management, and providing reports required by the central office, department, or granting agency. Ensures that office records and files are properly maintained.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of south Florida's seagrass, mangrove, and coral reef ecosystems and general ecological principles/processes
• Knowledge of terminology, principles and analytical techniques, and data collection and analysis procedures for the natural sciences
• Knowledge and experience in planning and implementing research and resource management projects
• Skill in the use of computers and software programs utilized for word processing, spread sheet application, and document design, including MS Office programs, and familiarity with ArcGIS
• Skill in snorkeling and SCUBA diving
• Ability to skillfully operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to conduct sampling and other accurate field activities, often from small boats or in the water in less than optimal conditions
• Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate…