Environmental Scientist VI

WATER

It is the one thing that all people, plants and animals need.

Water is the common bond that brings together Florida's diverse population. As our state grows, properly managing water resources continues to be critical to our overall quality of life.

The groundwork for managing water resources was laid in the early 1970s when Florida's voters and lawmakers recognized the importance of managing the state's water resources in a way that would benefit everyone. Through passage of the Water Resources Act (Chapter 373, Florida Statutes), the water management districts were created in 1972 for this purpose.

In northeast and east-central Florida, that responsibility falls to the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Deciding to establish the water management districts came about after the state experienced devastating hurricanes in the 1940s and 1960s. Droughts have followed in each decade since the 1970s, including since 2000.

District officials recognize the need to have water resources available for people's needs and to balance those needs with nature's needs. In its daily operations, the District tries to strike a balance in water needs by educating the public about water conservation, setting rules for water use, conducting research, collecting data, managing land, restoring and protecting water above and below the ground, and preserving natural areas.

Position Overview:

This is advanced senior level professional scientific work independently performing program coordination, research, analysis, and preparing technical publications regarding minimum flows and levles (MFLs) planning, development, and implementation. This work is at the highest level of environmental and ecological science.

The incumbent may ultimately fill the Bureau of Water Supply, Environmental Assessment Section, Technical Program Manager (TPM ) position as part of a succession planning strategy. The TPM is the District's lead for the MFLs (environmental flows and levels) program and represents the District at the state level. 

Responsibilities:

• Assists technical program manager in preparation and administration of annual budget and long-range planning of programs, including: nature of work, program priorities, project schedules, required level of staff effort, and project management;
• Promotes high scientific quality of District programs and projects;
• Participates as a team member codifying hydrologic criteria used for the determination of MFLs;
• Conducts and reviews technical evaluations for the recommendation and adoption of minimum levels for priority water bodies per Chapter 40C-8, Florida Administrative Code;
• Completes environmental assessments including the collection, compilation, and analysis of data related to vegetation, soils, and hydrology;
• Writes technical reports describing recommended MFLs;
• Edits technical reports produced by colleagues and contractors;
• Provides scientific/technical guidance to projects, writing study progress reports, developing scheduling estimates, and developing budgeting estimates;
• Develops scopes of work and associated contract documents and manages contracts related to the MFLs program, including scientific peer review;
• Consults with and provides briefing to senior management, Governing Board members, elected officials, the general public, colleagues, other agencies, or consultants interested in study results;
• Makes formal presentations at meetings;
• Serves as an expert witness in administrative proceedings; and
• Publishes professional and technical scientific papers. 

Qualifications:

• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in biology, limnology, chemistry, botany, ecology, environmental science or related field with environmental science emphasis, (Doctorate preferred); 
• 6 years experience in natural resource management and publication of scientific papers in peer reviewed journals; or
• A doctorate from an accredited college or university in biology, limnology, chemistry, botany, ecology, environmental science or a related field with environmental science emphasis; 
• 5 years experience in natural resource management and publication of scientific papers in peer reviewed journals;
• The selected candidate must have a valid Florida driver's license.

Prefer candidate with knowledge of:

• MFLs legislation, concepts, methods, and approaches, data and data requirements, and scientific literature;
• Ecological concepts related to aquatic and wetland systems;
• General hydrology concepts as they pertain to MFLs;
• Hydric soils and related literature;
• Spatial and temporal databases and software;
• Methods for monitoring wetland vegetation, fish and wildlife populations and habitat; and
• Fisheries biology and related literature.

Prefer candidate with knowledge of:Additionally prefer candidate with who is skilled in:

• Writing comprehensive technical documents, reports, and scientific papers;
• Editing and providing technical review of reports, papers, memoranda prepared by other staff members; analysis of biological, chemical and physical data;
• Contract development and management;
• Database and database query development and management;
• Design or preparation of project proposals or scopes of work;
• Statistical analyses; and
• Project management, business analysis, and process improvement techniques and tools.

Also prefer candidate with ability to:

• Identify flora, fauna, and soil types of Florida's natural systems;
• Perform basic statistical analyses with statistical software (e.g. SAS or SYSTAT);
• Learn new software applications;
• Create technical documents with word processing software;
• Import, manipulate and analyze data and create graphics with spreadsheet and relational software;
• Create computer graphic presentations;
• Perform basic field surveying and calculations;
• Load and unload field equipment in motor vehicles and boats;
• Mount dismount and drive motor vehicles and boats;
• Traverse rough terrain on foot;
• Speak with the public in both formal and informal settings;
• Communicate effectively through written and oral means;
• Work closely and amicably with other staff and supervisors to accomplish project goals; and
• Coordinate the activities of lower level staff.

Working conditions include:

• Both office and field work;
• Working with computers and scientific equipment;
• Flying in fixed and rotary winged aircraft;
• Traveling overnight 1-2 nights/month; and
• Working in extreme environmental conditions.

SJRWMD has determined this to be a safety-sensitive position as described in Section 440.102, Florida Statutes. Any offer of employment for a safety-sensitive position will be contingent upon successfully passing a drug screening paid by SJRWMD. The SJRWMD Drug Free Workplace Policy is available for review in the Careers section here.

To Apply:

Please click "Apply Now Online!" to submit your cover letter, CV or resume.