ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64028394

 Pay Plan: [[custSubGroup]]

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

This is a Career Service Environmental Specialist I position working for the Lee County Health Department.

This professional Environmental Specialist I position functions independently and performs duties under the directions of the Environmental Supervisor I of the Environmental Health Division of the Florida Department of Health in Lee County.  This is primarily a field position responsible for inspections in the following programs (or as assigned by the Environmental Supervisor I):  Biomedical Waste, Body Art – Body Piercing & Tattooing, Food Safety and Sanitation, Group Care, Migrant Farmworker Housing, Mobile Home/RV Parks, Public Swimming Pools, and Tanning.

Primary Assigned Programs:

Public Swimming Pool Program:  Regulate and enforce the laws and rules to reduce the transmission of disease and injuries to the patrons of public swimming pools and bathing places through engineering controls, routine health and safety inspections, water sampling, and education per Ch. 514 F.S.; Ch. 381.006(13); Ch. 64E-9 Florida Administrative code (F.A.C.); and Florida Building Code.

Food Safety & Sanitation Program:  Inspect food service establishments, educate the operators, and enforce the public health requirements to ensure that facilities under the Department’s jurisdiction safely prepare and serve food to the public per Ch. 64E-11 F.A.C and Ch. 381.0072 F.S.  Earn the CEHP in Food Protection within 6 months of hire; become standardized in Ch. 64 E-11 F.A.C. by the Food Hygiene Coordinator; and complete the required contact hours for the CEHP license every 2 years.

Biomedical Waste Program:  Regulate and enforce the segregation, packaging, transportation, storage, and treatment of biomedical waste to reduce the incidence of exposure to disease and injury per Ch. 64E-16 F.A.C and Sec. 381.0098 F.S.  Successfully complete Bureau approved training annually.

Group Care Program:  Regulate and enforce the laws and rules pertaining to sanitation, control of communicable diseases, protection, and safety of the public's health, and to prevent accidents and injuries from occurring in residential and non-residential FDOH facilities per Ch. 381.006(6) and (16) F.S.; Ch. 64E-12 F.A.C.; Ch. 64C-14 F.A.C.; Ch. 6A-2.004 F.A.C.; and Florida Building Code.

Mobile Home/RV Park Program:  Regulate and enforce the laws and rules pertaining to approved water and sewer connections, conditions propagating sanitary nuisances, and overcrowding to prevent environmentally transmitted disease per Ch. 381.006(14) F.S.; Ch. 513 F.S.; and Ch. 64E-15 F.A.C.

Perform inspections and nuisance complaint investigations, and initiate compliance and enforcement actions when appropriate for assigned facilities and locations. This position may be required to present expert witness testimony and represent the Department on legal proceedings involving noncompliant persons or facilities within Lee County. Keep supervisor apprised of unusual activities or non-compliance issues.

Enter Daily Activity Reports daily and submit time sheets as required.  Attend DOH mandatory training prior to assigned deadlines.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• • Incumbent will be assigned a county vehicle and will be responsible for maintaining and operating the vehicle per state and county regulations.
  • Knowledge of basic computer skills, the Environmental Health Database (EHD) program, EHD Mobile App, and Hosted Fax
  • Knowledge of field equipment required, including but not limited to, iPhone, pool test kit, food thermometers, and other equipment as deemed necessary to perform facility inspections.
  • Ability to become a Certified Food Hygiene inspector or a Registered Sanitarian and maintain certification.
  • Knowledge of environmental principles, practices, & procedures
  • Knowledge of correct spelling, punctuation & grammar usage
  • Ability to operate general office equipment.
  • Ability to frequently use telephone, computer, copier, and small hand tools, i.e.: stapler, scissors, etc.
  • Ability to follow office procedures & practices.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
  • Ability to handle telephone calls in a courteous & effective manner.
  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally & in writing.
  • Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships.
  • Ability to understand, interpret & apply applicable rules, regulations, policies & procedures.
  • Ability to prioritize individual workload.
  • Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, and sit or stand for long periods of time.
  • Ability to lift & carry up to 50 pounds as needed.
  • Ability to work with occasional loud noises indoors and/or outdoors.
  • Ability to work outdoors with various temperature changes.
  • Ability to walk for long periods of time or great distances.
  • Ability to locate information that is listed alphabetically & numerically.
  • Ability to follow instructions.
  • Ability to review data for accuracy & completeness.
  • Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to work with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
  • Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.

Licensure/registration/certification requirements (If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite):

• • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering; or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering.
  • Position requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 30 credit hours in a related science field.
  • Certification in Food Hygiene is required by Florida Statute 381.0101 or become a certified Registered Sanitarian.  Certification must be obtained within six months of hire and must be maintained every two years as required.
  • Positions in the Department of Health responsible for performing environmental health and sanitary evaluations in a primary program area of environmental health require certification in accordance with Section 381.0101, Florida Statutes.  Requirements for certification are found in 64E-18.004(3) and include a bachelor’s degree from an US accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, environmental science, or a physical or biological science.

Other job-related requirements for this position:

• • Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency.  Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
  • Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver License and have a motor vehicle to carry out these duties.
  • This position is authorized to transport confidential information outside of established DOH-Lee facilities and must comply with parameters defined in DOHP 50-10.
  • Selected immunizations or titers and/or periodic screening for tuberculosis may be recommended for this position.
  • This position will abide by all state and federal laws, rules, and DOH policies and procedures.
  • This position is classified as sensitive. This individual will perform tasks defined as sensitive and handles confidential information.   Background screening is a condition of employment.

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (B) Total hours in workweek 40+40 (C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.) This position requires daily in-office or field work.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Fort Myers

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• • Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
  • Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
  • State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
  • Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• • Flexible Spending Accounts;
  • Tuition waivers;
  • And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  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.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.