Environmental Program Assistant Jobs in Gainesville, FL

Requisition No: 881690 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL ADMINISTRATOR - SES - 42002087

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42002087 

Salary:  $90,000.04 - $98,000.24 

Posting Closing Date: 09/11/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL ADMINISTRATOR-SES

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE

BUREAU OF FOREST MANAGEMENT

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Leah Kincaid, (850) 681-5873

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and nine (9) years of professional experience in environmental protection, one of the physical or natural sciences, agriculture, or engineering; or

Four (4) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or

A bachelor's degree (4 years) from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences, agriculture, or engineering and five (5) years of professional experience as described above; or

A master's degree (6 years) from an accredited college or university in one of the physical or natural sciences, agriculture, or engineering and four (4) years of professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate (8 years) from an accredited college or university in one of the physical or natural sciences, agriculture or engineering and two (2) years of professional experience as described above.

Requires possession of a valid class E driver license.

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Public Applicator License for Forest Pest Control, and Soil and Greenhouse Fumigation.

Occasional to moderate travel required.

Position may respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed.

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate's use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

JOB DUTIES:

This position serves as an Assistant Bureau Chief in the Bureau of Forest Management and provides leadership and direction for the Florida Forest Service's (FFS) Nursery and Seed Orchards.  This position assists the Bureau Chief of Forest Management and is responsible for the supervision of the FFS reforestation program. This position is a technically demanding, professional, biological, and administrative position. Responsibilities include direct supervision of both the bare root and containerized portions of Andrews Nursery as well as planning and guidance for the tree improvement operations at the Withlacoochee and Munson Seed Orchards.

The incumbent spends majority of their time communicating with, motivating, providing, or coordinating training, and directing the work of subordinates.  In addition, the incumbent must complete timely performance appraisals, develop accurate work plans, and timely approve attendance and leave for each subordinate. Incumbent has the authority to make recommendations for special pay increases, reclassifications, hiring, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate. Responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner.  Responsible for ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures.

Administers and supervises both bare root and containerized tree seedling production and sales at Andrews Nursery. Works with both Forestry Supervisor II positions at the nursery to produce the designated number of containerized seedlings and bare root seedlings annually.   Ensures that the nursery operates according to accepted biological and agricultural principles to ensure seedling health in current and future crops.  Investigates new methods of seedling production through formal and operational research studies.  Assists in scouting for pest problems.  Diagnoses and plans treatments for anticipated and current pest problems.  Evaluates current practices for efficacy. Assists in production of native groundcover plants. This includes the development of contacts with land managers to determine native groundcover plant needs; establishment of studies to develop protocols for the collection and propagation of desired plants; coordinating with District/Center Managers to develop seed collection areas around the state; collection of seed during appropriate season; and the production, marketing, and shipping of the seedlings. Performs other related work as assigned, which may include the handling of revenue.

Responsible for implementation and supervision of all management activities on the FFS's seed orchards and seed production areas throughout the state. Responsible for keeping current with modern management techniques for seed production areas as well as those practices which are specific to orchards. Works to ensure that the FFS stays at the forefront in tree improvement science and technology. Acts as lead contact with the University of Florida, Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program (CFGRP).  Meets with CFGRP scientists to determine upcoming research studies that FFS must accomplish as a member of the CFGRP.  Meets with orchard personnel to plan accomplishment of CFGRP projects.  Provides planning and guidance for the FFS seed orchards to ensure that seed is available for future seedling production. Works with Withlacoochee Seed Orchard and the Munson Seed Orchard to develop plans that will accomplish developed FFS goals, which includes installation of studies and experiments, genetics coop work, and upcoming cone collection and seed processing. Determines priorities for upcoming cone collections based on current seed inventory levels and anticipated future needs. Oversees the inventory of FFS seed. Conducts and publishes annual seed inventory and schedules audits with FDACS property personnel.  Determines which seed has become surplus to FFS needs and obtains approvals to place seed on list for sale.  Maintains contacts with seed vendors who wish to purchase surplus FFS seed. Obtains appropriate governmental authorizations for sale of seed to areas outside of Florida and the United States.

Coordinates with Forest Management personnel to determine both bare root and containerized seedling needs for state forests.  Analyzes current and past seedlings sales and recommends future production levels to FFS director.  Provides reforestation reports to state office staff when requested.  Informs Florida Forestry Council and other groups on the status of FFS reforestation program.   Provides District/Center Managers and County Foresters' summaries of reforestation efforts for their areas of responsibility.  Maintains contact with governmental leaders, forest industry personnel, and other key leaders to ensure input of key issues related to reforestation.

Assists nursery staff and seed orchard managers in the preparation of annual budget request. Evaluates status of nursery and seed orchard equipment and recommends purchase of new equipment or replacement of old equipment when appropriate. Coordinates with Forest Management personnel on nursery or orchard budget issues.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck.  The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

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

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the "Total Compensation Estimator Tool" located above under the "Posting Closing Date."

SPECIAL NOTES:

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.