Deputy Director, Resilience and Coastal Protection

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection manages more than 4.9 million acres of submerged lands and coastal uplands in Florida. The office oversees Forty-one aquatic preserves, three National Estuarine Research Reserves, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and distinct programs addressing activities focused on Coastal Management, Clean Boating, Resilient Coastlines, Coral Reef Conservation, Outer Continental Shelf activities and beach and inlet management.

Summary of position:

The Deputy Director will oversee the Florida Coastal Zone Management Program, the Outer Continental Shelf Program, the Clean Boating /Clean Vessel Act Programs and the Regional Ocean Partnership Program.  The incumbent will also work closely with forty-one Aquatic Preserves to address state regulatory review, strategic planning and resource conservation efforts of the Agency. This high-level position reporting to the Director, will direct and coordinate actions with internal and external stakeholders, including communicating with leadership, program staff and other functional departments. The ideal candidate will possess discipline-specific knowledge, leadership and business skills to promote the sustainability and efficiency of agency related environmental regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage assigned program areas, teams and direct reports. May include working prior to, during, and after an emergency such as a hurricane, in emergency preparation, relief, or recovery efforts.
• Coordinate actions with agency leadership, universities and local government branches including the Florida Governor’s office, Federal and State Legislators, and other federal/state agencies as required.
• Conduct regulatory reviews and coordinate with other agencies and DEP regulatory district offices. Provide training as needed on key environmental topics.
• Assist with developing and implementing the annual business plan, strategic plan and the division annual budget.
• Manage leases, easement, grants and property management associated with program initiatives.
• Oversee interagency coordination for state and federal natural resource review.
• Represent the department in public forums, including speaking engagements when required.
• Serve as project manager for various technically complex projects and represents the department on technical advisory committees and panels.
• Serve as an expert witness in administrative hearings related to submerged land and aquatic resource issues.
• Serve as a mentor and developer of staff. Establishes clear performance metrics by identifying key objectives and performance measures to drive both organization and department success.
• Provide policy guidance, legislative support and assist with rule development to the division office for coastal resource programs.