About the role
Requisition No: 886184
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 37936047
Pay Plan: Student/Gradte Assnt
Position Number: 37936047
Salary: $18.00 per hour for a maximum of 28 hours a week
Posting Closing Date: 11/01/2026
Total Compensation Estimator Tool
OPS Environmental Specialist I
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
This position is located in Temple Terrace, FL
Hiring Multiple OPS Positions
Position Overview and Responsibilities:
The Southwest District is hiring multiple OPS positions. All OPS positions contribute to overall district operations and may participate in cross‑training to support multiple program areas as needed.
- Multiple positions will primarily support Regulatory Programs, assisting with permitting, compliance documentation, and electronic records management.
- One position will primarily support Business Program functions, providing administrative and operational assistance to district programs.
Regulatory Support
- Assists with preparation and completion of incoming permitting-related documents for database entry and electronic document management system insertion.
- Assists with processing outgoing compliance or permitting-related documents. Handles database entry and electronic document management system insertion where required.
- Assists in the document insertion of compliance or permitting-related correspondence documents into electronic document management system.
- Assists in preparing hard-copy documents for outgoing mailing.
- Provides compliance/technical assistance as needed and/or Regulatory assistance to permittee, Company representatives, other department programs, delegated local programs, other interested parties and ES-I staff.
- Drafts basic permitting, compliance and enforcement documents.
- Attends and participates in cross-training activities.
- Performs other related work as assigned.
Business Program Support
- Provides primary reception area coverage by answering, screening and routing incoming telephone calls.
- Assists with district’s fleet vehicles by scheduling and delivering vehicles for routine service and cleaning. Conduct monthly vehicle safety inspections.
- Assists with special projects.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the technique for handling telephone calls in a courteous and tactful manner.
- Skilled in the use of computers.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to organize, plan and coordinate work assignments.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to interact with customers in a tactful and courteous manner.
- Ability to organize files and other records.
- Ability to operate general office equipment.
- Ability to type letters, permits, memoranda and other standard business forms in correct format.
- Ability to use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
- Ability to proofread completed documents and make necessary corrections.
- Ability to perform basic arithmetical calculations.
- Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Maintain a valid Driver License
Additional reviews may be performed to screen for preferred qualifications, experience and education. You may be contacted to participate in an additional selection process which may consist of written exercises, work samples, skills tests, and interviews. Support of knowledge, skills, and abilities should be demonstrated on the application, in the education, in the work experience, in the work sample, in the interview and/or during reference checks.
Pay:
$18.00/hour at a maximum of 28 hours a week
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 Southwest District Office is located in Temple Terrace, a small city just outside of Tampa. Tampa is close to the Gulf Coast with beautiful white sand beaches. It is considered a major business center while also known for its museums and cultural offerings. Places such as the Busch Gardens Theme Park, historic Ybor City with its many restaurants and nightlife, the world’s longest continuous sidewalk along Bayshore Blvd., and a sports enthusiast haven are just some of the many activities people can enjoy in the area. There is also no state income tax for residents of Florida. The Southwest District covers 8 counties (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Polk, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, and Hardee).
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);
- Total Compensation Estimator Tool
- Tuition waivers;
- And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week): refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.
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
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.