UTILITIES DIVISION - ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I, II, III, IV, SENIOR - 1 POSITION AVAILABLE
PG 14 - PG 22/NON-EXEMPT
$23.49HR - $52.07HR.
Employee Benefits
Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts,
responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated below:
The Utilities Division is responsible for public health and safety, as well as safeguarding the
environment, by providing crucial safe water and wastewater services. This position is part of the
team that provides services necessary for human health, economic stability, and overall societal
well-being. At the core of the mission of providing these services includes commitment to providing
excellent customer service to our citizens, business partners, regulatory agencies, and other
county divisions.
MAJOR FUNCTION
Performs specialized professional work implementing the County Utilities Water Quality and
Compliance Program, Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP), and Water Resource Education and
Enforcement Plan. Responsibilities include ensuring regulatory compliance for water and wastewater
systems, administering grease and pretreatment programs, conducting inspections and enforcement
related to County ordinances, supporting grant funding initiatives, and providing public education
on water resource management. The position requires significant interaction with the public,
regulatory agencies, and internal stakeholders and involves both office and field work.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
Program Administration
• Plans, implements, and monitors assigned environmental compliance programs including Water
Conservation, Industrial Pretreatment, Grease Management, Environmental Management, Water Quality
Monitoring, Biosolids Management, Abnormal Events reporting, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Coordinates program activities and tracks compliance with regulatory requirements and County ordinances.
Compliance Monitoring & Enforcement
• Conducts inspections and field site visits to evaluate facility compliance, industrial user discharges, grease management requirements, and water resource enforcement activities.
• Investigates violations, documents findings, and supports enforcement actions related to County codes and environmental regulations.
• Maintains monitoring equipment and assists with environmental sampling activities as required.
Data Management & Reporting
• Maintains databases and tracking systems for regulatory compliance, inspections, and monitoring activities.
• Performs data analysis related to water efficiency, water level compliance, and program performance.
• Prepares technical reports and documentation for regulatory compliance and internal management.
Grant Administration
• Research grant opportunities and assists with preparation of grant applications.
• Tracks grant contract requirements, prepares reimbursement requests, and develops required progress reports.
Public Outreach & Education
• Develops and delivers educational presentations and outreach activities promoting water conservation, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.
• Engages with the public, businesses, and community organizations to increase awareness of water resource programs and regulations.
Administrative & Program Support
• Coordinates with consultants, reviews invoices, tracks project deadlines, and provides updates to administration on program activities.
• May present sworn testimony or evidence during enforcement hearings or court proceedings.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
Work responsibilities consist of approximately 60% office and 40% field work. Duties may require work
outside normal business hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, based on
operational needs and public event schedules.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
• Knowledge of environmental regulations, water conservation practices, industrial pretreatment
requirements, grease management standards, and water resource management programs.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance procedures, environmental monitoring practices, and enforcement processes.
• Skill in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting environmental data and preparing technical reports.
• Skill in planning and organizing program activities and maintaining accurate records and databases.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, regulatory agencies, businesses, and the public.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and resolve compliance issues in a professional and effective manner.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in computer applications used for data analysis, report preparation, and database management.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver's license within 30 days of application.
Environmental Specialist I – Pay Grade 14
Associate’s degree in a physical or natural science field with one (1) year of related program experience.
• Comparable combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Environmental Specialist II – Pay Grade 16
Associate’s degree in a physical or natural science field with three (3) years of related program experience and one of the following certifications:
• Florida Association of Code Enforcement – Fundamentals of Code Enforcement
• Water Conservation Coordinator Certification
• Industrial Pretreatment Program License C
• FDEP Sampling Standard Operating Protocol Training
Environmental Specialist III – Pay Grade 18
Bachelor’s degree in a physical or natural science field with three (3) years of related program experience and one additional certification beyond the ES II level, such as:
• Florida Association of Code Enforcement – Administrative Aspects Certification
• Fats/Oils/Grease Level I Certification
• Industrial Pretreatment Program License B
• Qualified Stormwater Inspector Certification
Environmental Specialist IV – Pay Grade 20
Bachelor’s degree in a physical or natural science field with four (4) years of related program
experience and one additional certification beyond the ES II and ES III levels, such as:
• Florida Association of Code Enforcement – Legal Issues Certification
• Fats/Oils/Grease Level II Certification
• Industrial Pretreatment Program License A
• Hazardous Materials Certification
Senior Environmental Specialist – Pay Grade 22
Bachelor’s degree in a physical or natural science field with five (5) years of related program
experience and one additional certification beyond the ES II, III, and IV levels, such as:
• Florida Association of Code Enforcement – Code Enforcement Professional Certification
• Fats/Oils/Grease Level III Certification and Industrial Pretreatment Program License A
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NCTC Wetland Plant Identification Certification
A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum
qualifications.
All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency,
employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of
their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its residents.
Overview
As outlined in the Polk County Charter, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is the governing body of Polk County. Each commissioner is elected by a countywide vote.
Duties and Powers
The County Commission adopts an annual budget which includes appropriations for services provided by county government including the Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector and Supervisor of Elections. This budget also includes appropriations in support of the Circuit and County Courts, State Attorney, Public Defender and Clerk of the Court. Some other responsibilities:
* levying taxes and fees,
* provide and maintain county buildings,
* provide fire protection and ambulance services,
* provide health and welfare programs,
* provide parks, preserves, playgrounds, libraries, museums, historical sites, recreation and cultural facilities and programs,
* prepare and enforce comprehensive plans for the development in the county,
* establish, coordinate, and enforce zoning and such business regulations as are necessary for the protection of the public,
* adopt and enforce building, housing and related technical codes and regulations,
* establish and administer programs of housing, slum clearance, community redevelopment, conservation, flood control, air pollution control,
* provide and regulate waste and sewage collection and disposal, water supply and conservation programs,
* provide and operate public transportation systems, roads, bridges and related facilities.
