The Water Quality Office Chief ensures defensible scientific water quality support for all strategies, initiatives, programs, and processes in connection to the agency's core mission of flood control, restoration and water supply.
This position is responsible for the management and coordination of water quality field monitoring activities, laboratory analytical services, quality control and data validation, and stewardship of environmental assessments and reporting to meet the requirements of legal mandates, permits and agreements.
Position participates as a member of the District's Senior Management Team with demonstrated ability to influence and participate in decision making. This position champions the Everglades Technical Oversight Committee (TOC), Expert Peer Review and production of the South Florida Environmental Report (SFER), administration of the District's Environmental Monitoring Quality Assurance Program and facilitation of the Environmental Monitoring Review Process.
The Water Quality Office Chief position will report to the District’s Assistant Executive Director. In general, the Chief position is responsible for driving a fiscally-conservative direction for managing capital, financial resources and human resources and serves as decision maker for the office’s day-to-day and long-term operations.
Incumbent should consistently demonstrate versatility in a dynamic environment and unstructured situations and should have a proven ability to effectively resolve a wide variety of complex technical and non-technical problems that involve ambiguity and uncertainty; resource constraints; tight schedules and budgets; operational impacts; and, policy and financial implications. Position requires strong leadership abilities to build and maintain a collaborative and high performance culture that promotes technical excellence and a business owner mindset for all staff.
Strong experience working with and establishing linkages with key stakeholders is required. Also requires strong and effective communication skills and experience to effectively interact with high-level officials representing Federal and State Agencies. The incumbent must demonstrate experience and success in coordination among different District Divisions/Bureaus/Sections.
Employment Guidelines:
Typically has a Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline with a graduate level degree preferred and 12+ years of experience that demonstrates measurable career progression in discipline and leadership roles that can be applied to support the District's strategic goals and objectives. Typically, experience includes six or more (6+) years of experience managing a diverse group of staff and (6+) years of experience designing and implementing specific programs and policies for an organization. Required attributes include extensive knowledge of water quality monitoring drivers including Everglades Settlement Agreement, operating permits, rules, water quality standards, and ambient water condition; demonstrated experience in implementing stringent standard protocols/procedures for collection, analysis/validation and auditing functions ensuring sound scientific and legally defensible water quality data and assessments; extensive experience in implementing water quality monitoring controls specifically monitoring planning, leveraging and optimization of all new work, evaluation of existing monitoring with an emphasis on new technology, and utilization of statistical analysis to support monitoring reductions and permit modifications.
Budget management experience for special projects or organization-wide initiatives strongly preferred. Prior experience attained from either internal and/or external jobs.
License(s) / Certification(s): Valid State of Florida Driver's License required.
Physical Requirements/ Working Environment:
Due to the District's response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times, be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role.
Veterans' Preference Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply. 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. All documentation is due by the close of the job posting.
Americans with Disabilities Act: The South Florida Water Management District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Bureau at HR_Solutions@sfwmd.gov
