Citizen Science Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 879902 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37979225

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979225 

Salary:  agency to update 

Posting Closing Date: 08/04/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in

 Naples Florida 34113

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

• Oversee the operation of a restoration monitoring protocol for a community science monitoring program

• Maintain and update a community science monitoring training and database
• Engage students in the habitat restoration process and community engagement
• Habitat Restoration: (Coordinate with Coastal Training Program Coordinator and with staff relative to these duties).
  • Coordinate a community science restoration monitoring program to determine the effects of restoration activities on communities undergoing hydrologic restoration within the Reserve.

• • Work closely with a contracted restoration expert and the Coastal Training Program Coordinator to design, conduct, and evaluate citizen science restoration monitoring training for Reserve volunteers or interested community members.
    • Follow comprehensive abiotic and biotic restoration monitoring plans developed with the contracted expert.
    • Maintain and improve data collection and management database.
    • Maintain a community science volunteer training database.
    • Implement pre- and post- restoration monitoring efforts from volunteers.
    • Oversee data collection, observations, and reporting.
    • Assist with upkeep/maintenance of all equipment for the community science restoration monitoring program.
    • Document and establish best management practices transferable to future restoration projects on the Florida coastal zone.

• Community Engagement:
  • Further development of a community engagement plan
  • Assist as directed by supervisor to address Reserve's needs related outreach for the community relating to the Reserve restoration projects.
  • Providing creative opportunities to recruit volunteers and interested community members to advocate and participate in the restoration monitoring program.
  • Create outreach materials for on-going and planned restoration projects.
  • Engage and mentor students in the habitat restoration process and community engagement.
  • Create regional and state-wide partnerships around estuarine restoration practices and citizen science programs.
• Other duties:
  • To develop and track metrics of project success, propose adaptive management strategies, and to help support the management and reporting of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding.
  • Work collaboratively across sectors (including but not limited to the Research, Education, Stewardship, Coastal Training Program, Communication, and Volunteer departments) with activities as directed and as time and resources allow.
    • Support the Stewardship department with restoration monitoring and technical assistance as requested.
    • Assist the Coastal Training Program Team with trainings and workshop activities such as providing technical assistance and implementation of related Collaborative Projects and concepts.
  • As needed will assist with the research & technical writing tasks (related activities may include: technical reports, project information sheets, and preparation and presentation of scientific poster projects, grant proposals).
  • Perform all other work as instructed and required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences; knowledge and experience working in coastal conservation and habitat restoration issues; data collection and analysis principles and procedures; report writing, both technical and general (grant writing skills are a plus).

Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret biological and resource data and prepare technical reports. Proficiency with using personal computers and Microsoft Office Suite. Proficiency with Geographic Information System (GIS) methods is highly desirable (use of ARC-Pro & ARC-online).

Ability to communicate effectively (oral & written), and lead/facilitate discussions with diverse audiences; effectively communicate to a variety of audiences. Ability to communicate and work well alone, as well as in teams. Skilled with interaction with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.

Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate working assignments with little oversight; highly effective communication (verbal and written); establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Safe operation of vehicles. Must maintain a valid driver's license.

Minimum Qualifications:

Driver's License

Bachelor's degree in applicable biological sciences field or equivalent experience

Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Position of Special Trust Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

Applicable Job-Specific License or Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing oversight of seasonal interns and volunteers engaged in conservation activities.
• Knowledge and experience in grant development, writing, and project management.
• Ability to manage various tasks associated with grants management including proposal alignment with funding sources and stakeholders, development of project selection criteria and performance measures, review of stakeholder proposals, support development and submission of project performance reporting and required permitting.
• Skilled in technical writing to support conservation/restoration proposal development, project monitoring, or resource management plans and products.
• Knowledge of coastal zone laws, regulations, and policies, as well as shoreline management and habitat restoration permitting.
• Experience working in regional habitat restoration and/or other conservation related activities.
• Demonstrated experience in coastal habitat management and restoration, with an emphasis on environmental change (adaptation and mitigation).
• Meeting facilitation training or experience leading collaborative processes.
• CPR/AED/ First Aid certification.

Pay:

$20.00 per hour

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state's lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to advance Florida's position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state's economy. DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

RBNERR is located between the coastal towns of Naples and Marco Island in Collier County, Florida.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*).  
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan, for more information, please visit Corebridge Financial).
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

Special Notes:                                                                                                                                                                                       DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 245-2511. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.