Environmental Scientist (0760) (Hybrid)

Work for Our Water Resources.

Help protect one of Florida's most vital resources - water - with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public's water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Environmental Resource Permit Bureau

Here's your opportunity to assist our Environmental Section by conducting technical and administrative work related to regulatory requirements and compliance matters. You will have the chance to routinely interact with consultants, land owners, and citizen groups, answering questions about wetlands, water resources, permitting, compliance and the District's Regulatory Division. This position is essential to the Environmental Section to continue to meet metrics and regulatory time frames.

The District supports employees who prefer flexible schedule or a remote work schedule so that they can enjoy their time outside of the District through work-life balance. This role is considered hybrid, which means the employee will be required to come on-site for periodic meetings and work a portion of their time remotely (must live in Florida). Come build a career that is challenging, fulfilling, and helps support the District's mission to protect Florida's water resources.

District employees are offered an excellent total rewards package that includes:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) (employer 13% contribution + employee 3%)
• 9 paid holidays (+ 1 floating holiday)
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Medical and dental insurance (91- 97% District paid)
• Vision insurance
• Deferred compensation Program
• Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability (District Paid)
• Prescription drug coverage & mail order program
• Health savings & flexible spending accounts
• Flexible schedule for Work-life balance
• Legal and Identity Theft protection
• Wellness program
• Public service loan forgiveness qualified employer
• Tuition reimbursement ($5,250/year)
• State adoption benefit qualified employer
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Transfer in years of service for other public sector work - towards the FRS program and sick time

Starting Compensation:

Environmental Scientist 1 $46,134.40- $56,246.49

Environmental Scientist 2 $46,737.60- $60,186.01

Environmental Scientist 3 $50,460.80- $65,000.00

The starting salary range is included for the Environmental Scientist profile which reflects the minimum to 39.9% of the respective pay grade. The starting salary will be based on the education and experience of the successful candidate. The District conducts annual performance evaluations that may award applicable pay increases based on positive employee performance.

Essential Functions

• Evaluation and issuance of permit applications:
• Review both in the field and in the office environmental aspects of applications.
• Gather any pertinent information from various sources to assist in review.
• Document findings and make decisions regarding Rule criteria including determinations during field visits about wetland/surface water locations.
• Perform limited supervisory tasks. Temporarily assign applications and review permits:
• Review letters from Evaluators and interact with author(s) regarding issues that may need correction/modification within the letters.
• Sign off on environmental issues in correspondence.
• Assist in training staff and providing technical and professional assistance:
• Assist Evaluators on project review by providing examples of similar projects.
• Assist with formulation of applicable comments, providing appropriate resources, and encouragement.
• Assist in compliance/enforcement activities as needed:
• Provide information on historic site conditions, evaluate site if needed, and provide information regarding a previous evaluation or permitting for a particular project.

Working Conditions

Physical, Visual Acuity Requirements: Medium Work, Close Acuity, Balancing, Stooping, Crouching, Reaching, Standing, Walking, Pulling, Fingering, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, & Repetitive Motion

Working Environmental Conditions: Inside, Outside, Hiking, Bites, Remote, Measuring, & Wading. Travel in the field and to other District offices is required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee may be subject to call-in outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including on nights, weekend or holidays, to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.

Required Credentials for Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientist 1

• Bachelors degree (or higher) in Environmental Science or related field
• Valid driver's license

Environmental Scientist 2

• Bachelors degree (or higher) in Environmental Science or related field
• Two (2) years experience in wetlands ecology or related environmental science experience
• Valid driver's license

Environmental Scientist 3

• Bachelors degree (or higher) in Environmental Science or related field
• Five (5) years experience in wetlands ecology or related environmental science experience
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Credentials for Environmental Scientist

• Masters degree or Ph.D
• Certified Professional Soil Scientist
• Professional Wetland Scientist
• Experience and/or academic work in agricultural sciences, surface water management, geology, hydrology, chemistry, or engineering

Application Process

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, the District employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the required District application for the purpose of qualification. Applicants who are within 30 days of graduation, if selected are not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met.

Additional Details

This position is typically scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, out of the Tampa, FL office, however some remote work may be available. This position is eligible for compensatory time for hours worked over 40 hours, in a week.

Travel Required

Yes. Some travel, using District vehicle, within District's coverage area.

Accepting applications until May 30, 2025 at 4 PM

About Us

The District is responsible for managing the water resources for west central Florida which includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.

Apply Now

Start and grow your career with the District! The District prides itself on providing a positive work environment that engages and supports our employees through flexible and remote work schedules. We provide and support learning and development for staff at all levels including conferences, association memberships, and formal education. Let us know if you have previous public sector experience that may allow for additional perks! Click on the link to apply.

#WorkForOurWater

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses. All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s). The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office Chief, at 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone ... or ... (FL only); or email ... you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, ... (TDD) or ... (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA. The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.