ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

Requisition No: 842554

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 42001539

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42001539

Salary: $42,000.14 - $42,900.00

Posting Closing Date: 12/25/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Chris Amason, 850-617-7842

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

An associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university or

Six (6) months of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; agriculture; or engineering.

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained. Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency. A list of approved agencies can be viewed at “Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education.” Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org)

***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:

Occasional travel required.

NOTES:

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

Flextime.

JOB DUTIES:

General: The duties and responsibilities for this position are directly related to the agency mission of the number of official samples analyzed and analytical tests conducted under F.S. Chapter 487 and Chapter 576. This position supports the Sample Analysis section within the Bureau of Agricultural Environmental Laboratories. The responsibilities include preparing and performing Total Nitrogen and Nitrogen breakdown analyses on fertilizer samples. This position also performs Ortho-Phosphate analyses on environmental water samples. This position evaluates analytical laboratory data and calculates and determines the percent nutrient present in fertilizer and environmental water samples.

Prepares and performs Nitrogen breakdown (Nitrate Nitrogen, Ammoniacal Nitrogen, Water Soluble Nitrogen) analyses utilizing an automated flow injection chromatography (FIA) system. Performs Ortho-Phosphate nutrient analyses on environmental water samples utilizing an FIA system. Performs Total Nitrogen analyses utilizing a Total Combustion Analyzer (TCA). Assists in the preparation and analysis of Available and Total Phosphorous by FIA and Soluble and Chelated Micronutrients by Flame Atomic Absorption analysis (AA). Duties include preparing extraction solutions, analytical reference standards and standardizing solutions required in the analysis of fertilizer and environmental water samples. Performs calibration procedures on analytical instruments and support equipment to certify that they are suitable for use in the analysis of official fertilizer and environmental water samples. Assists in the preparation of fertilizer and environmental water samples for analysis by FIA and TCA. Interprets and calculates analytical test results obtained through analytical measurements, and reduces raw data to final reportable results. Reviews all laboratory analytical FIA and TCA data and records analytical results to be used in the preparation of Official Analyses Reports and penalty assessments.

Calculates and evaluates all analytical results for precision and accuracy of quality control data. Follows prescribed quality assurance/quality control procedures delineated in the Laboratory's methodology and standard operating procedures (SOP). Follows all other official procedures as required by the Florida Fertilizer and Pesticide Laws. Responsible for following standard safety procedures and protocols. Enters the nutrient source(s) information for fertilizer samples in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Responsible for performing preventive maintenance on analytical laboratory instrumentation and support equipment. Evaluates and optimizes the performance of the instruments and support equipment. Takes corrective action to ensure data quality through routine and non-routine maintenance programs, and records maintenance activities as they pertain to routine and non-routine instrument maintenance. Maintains an inventory of replacement parts and supplies necessary to keep instrumentation in an operationally ready state. Also, in order to maintain technical proficiency, the employee will be required to periodically travel to seminars, workshops, and conferences.

Performs minor method evaluation/improvement studies and validations on methods utilized by the laboratory.

Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

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:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.