ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37001825

Requisition No: 881492 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 37001825

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001825 

Salary:  $49,350.12 

Posting Closing Date: 08/16/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II, Position # 37001825

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection
INTERNAL AGENCY ONLY

This position is located in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) is seeking a full-time Environmental Specialist II (ESII) to support the mission of the GTMNERR as defined in its current Management Plan of achieving the conservation of natural biodiversity and cultural resources by using the results of research and monitoring to guide science-based stewardship and education strategies. This role is important for supporting resource management, visitor services, and maintenance of state resources. This position will also:

• Resource Management: Assists the Resource Management Coordinator in natural resource management duties and restoration projects include habitat and species monitoring.  Assist in daily administrative tasks and implementation of GTMNERR and state programs. Conducts data analysis on resource management's daily operations to ensure optimal efficiency parameters are met. Participates in control of and maintains logs on invasive species identification and eradication.
• Visitor Services: Prepares facilities and recreational materials for use trails in and programs beaches. Assists with visitor needs the at the GTMNERR Environmental Education Center. Provides additional Public Use and Resource Management support when needed, explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment, and education. Assists visitors, answers questions, and provides information and directions. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations.
• Maintenance: Assists in opening all GTMNERR facilities, gates, doors, etc. on assigned days. Maintains cleanliness of public use areas. Maintains the GTMNERR buildings and vehicles. Conducts daily inspections of buildings (interior/exterior) and vehicles to ensure proper mechanical condition and safe operational usage. Ensures facility cleanliness is kept to a high standard and corrects any deficiencies. Communicate concerns & ideas with state contractors on completing work conducted on site.
• Administration: Maintains inventories on consumables required for daily use. Orders supply and maintain supply inventory to ensure all needed materials are available for use. Create and process all Purchase Forms for Facilities purchases/ procurements. Monitor and when necessary, conduct vehicle maintenance for all vehicles and vessels. Ensure that vehicles and vessels receive preventive maintenance in a timely manner and that the maintenance is properly documented. Train staff and volunteers in ATV/UTV operation.
• Performs other related work as required.
• Working hours: Daily from 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.; Total hours in workweek is 40; ability to work Monday thru Friday, weekends, weeknights, and holidays.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of natural and cultural resources;  knowledge of principles and processes of equipment operation, basic carpentry, plumbing, and electrical; troubleshooting of various systems and providing logical solutions to their repair or resolution; knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures. Skills: requires excellent communication skills and listening skills’ concise communication to convey information effectively; actively looking for ways to help. Abilities: ability to communication information clearly and concisely verbally and in writing; ability to take complete and accurate messages, ability to listen carefully to instruction and follow through; ability to conduct financial transactions quickly without error; ability to maintain schedules and calendars; track and file correspondence and summarize information into reports.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 4 years of verifiable related experience in coastal or estuarine field research, monitoring, or resource management. Post-secondary degrees from an accredited college or university with a major in estuarine ecology, biology, or environmental biology 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.
• Certificate in Natural Areas Management.
• Certificate in S130 and S190.
• Valid driver's license.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to obtain DEP firearm approval within six months of employment and maintain thereafter.
• Ability to complete firefighter training (S131) and Engine Academy within six months of employment and maintain thereafter.
• Ability to complete CPR/First Aid training within six months of employment and maintain thereafter.
• Ability to complete chainsaw safety training within six months of employment and maintain thereafter.
• Ability to obtain ATV/UTV instructor training within six months of employment and maintain thereafter.
• Direct experience working within a NERRS reserve.

Pay:

$49,350.12/ year

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:

Ponte Vedra Beach –GTMNERR protects over 75,000 acres in St. Johns and Flagler counties on the northeast coast of Florida. It is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. These protected areas provide habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife. This position is based at the GTMNERR Visitor Center at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082.

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 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.