Entry Level Coral Reef Restoration Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 881228 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37979083

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979083 

Salary:  $23.00/hour 

Posting Closing Date: 08/31/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Reef Injury Prevention and Response Technician

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Miami, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position serves as the Reef Injury Prevention and Response (RIPR) Technician for the Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) within the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (ORCP). With guidance from the DEP Southeast Regional Administrator and DEP Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) Manager, and the Reef Injury Prevention and Response (RIPR) Coordinator, supports the planning and implementation the RIPR Program, and RIPR-related local action strategy projects as identified in the Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve (KJCAP) management plan, as directed. Reports to the RIPR Coordinator.

Utilizing knowledge of environmental policies, procedures and practices, may develop and manage grants, contracts, oversee contractors, and associated progress reporting and financial tracking for all assigned projects. May prepare proposals, budgets, and contracts for assigned projects. Maintains program and project files and records. Analyzes data, develops and maintains databases, prepares progress and financial reports, and facilitates annual review (and revision, if needed) of assigned core programs and projects. Organizes, facilitates, and participates in CRCP and SEFCRI-related workshops and meetings. Ensures meeting minutes are recorded for all assigned program/project meetings and prepares meeting summaries. Assists with CRCP and SEFCRI programmatic and strategic planning. Assists with the implementation of other SEFCRI projects and CRCP activities, as directed.

Attends training programs (where funds allow). Assist with education and outreach activities, as needed. Periodic weekend and evening work may be required to support CRCP outreach activities.

Understands federal laws, state laws and policies, American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and DEP standards governing commercial, scientific and recreational scuba diving practices, certifications and operations and ensures diving activities are conducted in compliance with current laws and policies. Suspends diving operations considered to be unsafe or unwise. Communicates with UDSO to address concerns and resolve any questions related to diving operations. Safely operates and maintains DEP vessels, vehicles, sampling, photographic, and scuba equipment, as assigned. Provides assistance to the DEP Miami Unit Diving Safety Officer (UDSO), as directed.

Assist in the management of coral reef and hardbottom injury incidents in southeast Florida.

• Create a case file in the Injury Events folder and GIS Map (habitat/bathymetric) for each incident. Provide logistical coordination and technical assistance to support documentation and assessment of reef resource injury incidents. Participate in resource trustee meetings and site visits, as directed. Coordinate and participate in site visits to assess reef injuries, conduct triage and restoration, and complete required monitoring, as appropriate. Maintain complete files for all incidents in southeast Florida, including Injury Response Intake Form, GIS Maps, Restoration Plan, Salvage Plan, Trustee Response Cost Tracker, all related correspondence, etc. Write incident assessment reports and maintain records of photo and video files, GPS track files, and data sheets. Assist in planning and participate in annual CSI for Coral Reefs training and protocol review. Assist in maintaining the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund Budget Tracker.

RIPR Field Work Preparation and Organization

• Complete and submit dive and float plans for all RIPR-related field days. Lead field work planning, preparation, and organization. Pre-dive preparations may include camera prep and Garmin GPS upkeep, charging Pegasus power thrusters monthly, data sheet printing/creation, packing appropriate equipment, creating GIS maps and determining site coordinates. Post-dive organization may include downloading and organizing photos, downloading and plotting GPS tracks, entering diver data, and transcribing injury assessment data into virtual impact diagrams. Assist the RIPR Specialist with dive equipment management, as needed, including, but not limited to, assisting the RIPR Specialist with sending all gear in for annual maintenance, keeping the BBEC Dive Shed organized, coordinating transfer of gear to other programs, ordering new gear and arranging for gear repairs and tank fills. Maintain DEP Diver qualification as defined by the DEP Underwater Operations Manual, including current medical approval for diving.

Update and Maintain Reef Injury Prevention and Response (RIPR) Database

• Aid in updating and maintaining the Southeast Florida Injury Tracker MS Access database to reflect the correct information from all case files. Records need to be updated and cross-checked with paper and electronic case files. As new cases come in, the database needs to be updated and managed accordingly. Add and update each injury’s budget information by grant tracking number. Use the database to run queries that will populate annual summary reports and various data/budget inquiries that may arise. Additionally, use the database and associated linked ArcGIS map to spatially keep track of cases.

Vessel Monitoring and Tracking

• Using PortVision (or similar website), receive and organize emails from vessel zone alerts. Pull tracks and information about vessels on/near southeast Florida reefs, determine if in-water site checks are necessary, and plot in GIS as needed.

RIPR Educational Outreach Campaign

• Assist the RIPR Specialist with outreach and partnership efforts with relevant local agencies and stakeholders. Duties may include creating and presenting power point presentations for various user groups.

Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) ArcGIS Online Data Management

• Maintain and update the Florida’s Coral Reef Locator Map and all associated data on ArcGIS Online, as needed. Create and use online maps.

Coral Reef Stabilization and Rehabilitation Project Coordination

• Assist in the planning and development of future stabilization and restoration projects for injury sites, as needed. Maintain complete files for all aspects of future stabilization and rehabilitation projects and associated monitoring. Keep up to date on all annual monitoring tasks, (mosaic and in situ). Submit permit required reports for coral transplantation as stipulated in the permits and assist in planning and implementation of biological restoration, as appropriate. 

Coral Reef Monitoring and Restoration Project Coordination

• Work with the RIPR Coordinator to develop and implement coral reef monitoring and restoration projects to strengthen CRPA case protocols, as appropriate. Maintain complete files for all aspects of the projects including scopes of work, permits and deliverables.

Serve as RIPR Coordinator Alternate, as needed

• Serve as back-up to the State Trustee representative for resource damage incidents and collaborate with other inter- and intra- agency representatives, as necessary and appropriate, to prevent, respond to, and manage resource damage incidents. Duties may include receiving and routing injury reports, attending meetings, etc.

Support RIPR Program and CRCP office with general/administrative office work, as needed

• Assist in writing project scopes and purchase requisitions, requesting invoices, and approving deliverables. Assist with filing, handling purchasing card transactions, mailings, entering data, as assigned. Attend DEP/ORCP/CRCP meetings and functions, as appropriate or directed. Participate in monthly CRCP staff meetings and quarterly BBEC staff meetings. Contribute to the KJCAP management plan annual report and trackers, as well as NOAA Progress Reports. Where appropriate, represent the DEP, the ORCP, and attend meetings and functions related to the CRCP, involving local travel throughout southeast Florida and occasional long-distance travel. Perform other duties as assigned.

May aid in the event of an emergency at the DEP field offices, including pre-storm preparation, post-storm clean-up and replacement of stored goods to ready field office for operation after a storm; or other services assigned.

Snorkels or scuba dives as required to assist with field work.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

      Knowledge of coral reef ecosystems and familiarity with Southeast Florida coral and fish species identification

Skill with scientific report writing and technical review

Skill with scientific diving, working dives or underwater data collection

Skill in math and analysis

Skill in organization, writing and editing (both technical and colloquial)

Skill in public speaking and meeting facilitation

Skill in PC computers, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and ArcGIS

Skill in small boat handling and trailering, or the ability to acquire these skills

Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs

Ability to prepare technical reports

Ability to be flexible, multitask, and meet tight deadlines

Ability to work in a team setting and independently

Ability to work independently and complete tasks with attention to detail under minimal supervision

Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments

Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with a diverse range of people

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Ability to lift a minimum of 35 lbs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least five (5) years of verifiable related experience in marine environmental or biological sciences. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in marine environmental or biological sciences may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis.  A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.

• Regular local travel throughout Southeast Florida and occasional long-distance travel. Valid Driver License. Must be able to work flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends.

• Must be a certified scuba diver who can provide documentation of at least 50 logged dives. Must have prior approval and meet the diving and/or snorkeling validation requirements in the DEP Underwater Operations Manual. This position is medically monitored.

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:

Advanced Open Water scuba diver certification from a nationally recognized agency.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of and experience with Habitat Equivalency Analysis

Knowledge of and experience with Coral Reef Protection Act

Knowledge of and experience with PortVision360 and Microsoft Access

Rescue Diver scuba certification or higher, with scientific diving experience.

Knowledge of ecological and resource management terminology, principles, and methods with emphasis on coral reef ecosystems

Knowledge of, and experience with, regulatory permitting preferred.

Knowledge of and experience with operating Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)

Knowledge of and experience with coral reef restoration and out-planting.

Knowledge of and experience with photogrammetry.

Rescue and Nitrox scuba certifications, or the ability to obtain these within 1 year, are preferred

Pay:

$23.00/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:

Miami is a vibrant city in the Southeast corner of the state of Florida, situated directly on Biscayne Bay and close to beautiful white sand beaches. It is considered a major business center while also known for its museums and cultural offerings as well as its many restaurants and nightlife. It is a sports enthusiast haven as many outdoor activities are enjoyed by people in the area. Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you find yourself on the career ladder. The ORCP Southeast