Environmental Protection Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 880309 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 37010735

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37010735 

Salary:  $53,580.60 plus $3,120 in hazardous duty pay (annually) 

Posting Closing Date: 07/31/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Environmental Specialist III

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is in Jacksonville, FL

Anticipated Vacancy

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This posting is for an Environmental Specialist III within the Division of Law Enforcement's Emergency Response Unit (ERU). The position responds to hazardous material and petroleum release emergencies that threaten the environment or the public health and safety.

This is a second level intermediate professional and technical environmental position serving as a pre-designated state on-scene coordinator for the ERU. The incumbent coordinates the work of contractors, responsible parties, and other emergency response team members. The work requires applying a scientific understanding to analyze problems of a specialized nature in a wide range of applications. Specific duties include:

• Respond to reported hazardous materials and petroleum related incidents which require department assistance or oversight.
• Conduct natural resource damage assessments following the discharge of pollutants as required by s. 376.121, F.S.
• Manage the emergency services contracts and monitor ERU contractor responses.
• Participate in search warrants and criminal investigations.
• Travel, sometimes upon short notice, is necessary to fulfill the duties of this position.
• Annual medical monitoring with a satisfactory medical evaluation and safety training to meet 40 CFR, Part 311 regulations are required.
• Subject to emergency calls on 24-hour basis/seven days a week for the protection of life or property.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to compile, organize, and analyze data.
• Ability to effectively communicate courteously both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and understand complicated rules, regulations, policies, and directives.
• Ability to be on call and work flexible, unscheduled hours.
• Ability to work in various levels of personal protection equipment (PPE) up to and including Level A.
• Ability to develop and prepare written reports, records, and plans.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to maintain valid driver license and travel.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least five years of verifiable related experience. Post-secondary degrees 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.

• Valid driver license
• Complete the initial OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER refresher within 1 year, annually thereafter.
• Participate in medical monitoring
• On-call emergency response
• Travel
• Pass a physical fitness assessment test

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.

Pay:

$53,580.60 plus $3,120 in hazardous duty pay (annually).

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:

The work location is Jacksonville (Duval County), FL, and requires the ability to work in and throughout twelve Florida counties (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Flagler, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, and Union). Jacksonville straddles the St. Johns River in the first coast region of northeastern Florida. Boasting 22 miles of beaches, Jacksonville is a city of diverse neighborhoods with a top-notch arts and culture scene, unbeatable food, and a wide variety of family-friendly attractions, parks, and nature preserves.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The 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 click www.myfrs.com);
• Tuition waivers;
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• And more!

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

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.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.