Environmental Specialist

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here. Sarasota County Government is seeking an Environmental Specialist to implement relevant environmental sections of the Unified Development Code (UDC), related provisions of the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan, and other aspects of the Code of Ordinances, in protecting, enhancing, and restoring local natural resources. This role primarily focuses on technical review and analysis of environmental development reviews, and compliance and monitoring of approved development projects throughout the County for consistency with plans, stipulations, and expected environmental outcomes of the approved development. As an Environmental Specialist you will participate in public outreach/education to actively share information with homeowners’ associations, neighborhoods, and other community groups. Apply today! Permit Reviews and Coordination Evaluate development plans pursuant to the Unified Development Code and determine consistency with the Environment Chapter of the County’s Comprehensive Plan and other County environmental regulations. Perform technical field inspections, document, and analyze findings. Confirm and delineate native habitat types. Coordinate with Environmental Permitting staff and provide technical review assistance with Environmental Protection-administered programs, land use proposals, and building permit applications for impacts to natural resources and consistency with applicable County regulations. Ability to interface and build strong internal and external relationships. Support management in implementing procedures and ordinances. Act as a “troubleshooter,” identify and implement process improvements. Attend meetings and draft documents for management. Ability to respond to high-level, controversial issues. Review and prepare correspondence, permits, notices, and other technical reports based upon collected and analyzed data and resulting decisions made concerning applicable regulations. Provide technical advice to permit applicants at pre-application meetings (e.g., DRC). Document activities and maintain up-to-date files and data entry within permitting database. Present to the County Commission, local, state, and national organizations, as needed. Environmental Compliance and Monitoring for the Unified Development Code (UDC) Review monitoring reports and ensure consistency with resource management plans and development permit stipulations. Conduct construction inspections (e.g., pre-construction, progress, and final inspections) and investigate complaints about UDC environmental concerns and requirements. Facilitate positive environmental and community outcomes through achieving voluntary compliance. Prepare enforcement cases and provide expert testimony in legal actions, including Special Magistrate Hearings. Prepare written correspondence related to compliance and monitoring requirements. Provides environmental education and encourages environmental stewardship in the community Act as an ambassador in interactions with neighborhoods and Homeowners Associations related to site-specific environmental concerns and UDC requirements (May be outside of normal M-F, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm work hours). Prepare and disseminate educational information relating to the environmental requirements of the UDC. Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five (5) years. Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. About You To thrive in this position, you must have- ES II A Bachelor’s degree in biological or physical sciences, Environmental Engineering or related environmental field AND two (2) years of professional experience. A Master’s degree may substitute for one year of professional experience. Progressively responsible professional experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree. ES III A Bachelor’s degree in biological or physical sciences, Environmental Engineering or related environmental field AND three (3) years of professional experience in environmental regulatory work. A Master’s degree may substitute for one year of professional experience. Progressively responsible professional experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree. About Everything Else ES II Starting Pay Range: $52,936.00 - $56,000.00 based on experience ES III Starting Pay Range: $57,577.60 - $63,003.00 based on experience Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s). If you are selected to join our team, you will need to present the following items on your first day: 1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.) 2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.) #J-18808-Ljbffr