ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64029695

 Pay Plan: [[custSubGroup]]

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Job posting category (Open Competitive)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The position serves as an ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I within the Environmental Health Drinking Water/Engineering Section and works under the general supervision of the ENVIRONMENTAL HLTH PRGRAM CONSULTANT-SES, Position # 64006610, Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, Environmental Health and provides professional support and technical assistance to the staff, community agencies, and the general public. 

The incumbent serves on the Well & Irrigation, Limited-use public water systems, and well surveillance program teams. This position is assigned to the New Smyrna Beach. Duties for this position include: 

  Well & Irrigation Program

Conducts inspections pertaining to well construction and irrigation systems. Performs water sample collections which may include field tests. Performs application reviews for completeness and accuracy, and issues well permits accordingly. Completes  inspection reports within established timeframes.

 Limited Use Public Water System Program

Responsible for enforcement of Chapter 64E-8 regulations. Conducts construction and operation inspections at limited-use facilities to verify compliance with regulations and enters inspection findings into EHD program in a timely manner. Collects water samples from limited-use facilities and delivers to laboratory according to established protocols. Responds to and investigates complaints. Initiates and completes enforcement actions per DOH policy guidelines.

 Well Surveillance Program

Assists FDOH Bureau of Environmental Health and FDEP with groundwater and public health protection through implementation of the Well Surveillance Program.  Duties include conducting well surveys, water sampling, site monitoring and public information dissemination per established timeframes. Locates wells or facility sampling sites on maps and in field. Uses GPS equipment to document locations of contamination sites and wells. Uses GPS and computers to collect data and uses equipment-specific software to electronically transfer information to DEP. Reviews DEP-provided maps for accuracy. Collects water samples from wells on contaminated sites and then packs and ship samples following approved laboratory protocols. Analyzes laboratory reports for accuracy and results. Prepares correspondence and notifies well owners of well survey outcome.

 General Duties

Assist in investigation and evaluation of suspected water-borne illness complaints associated with public and community water supplies. Fulfills agency and departmental reporting requirements by timely reviewing and/or entering daily activity report data, completing timesheets, approving cell phone and travel expense reports and other information as required. Participates on departmental quality improvement efforts and accreditation teams. Attends meetings, and agency team projects as assigned.

Emergency Response Duties

Responds to PWS emergencies, such as water main breaks, water plant treatment equipment failures and associated after-hours requests for technical assistance. Responds to terrorism or natural disaster events and public health emergencies as assigned. Assists with the investigation and evaluation of suspected water-borne illness complaints/outbreaks. May work in disaster shelters during emergencies as assigned. Performs other related duties as may be required on weekends, holidays or after normal work hours. Attends preparedness trainings. Completes required ICS and FEMA courses to fill critical roles during disasters.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures. 

Knowledge of environmental health laws, rules and procedures associated with well and water system inspections

Knowledge of principles and practices used in well and water system  inspections and how they are used to educate the public, enforce rules and gain regulatory compliance. 

Ability to enforce rules and gain regulatory compliance. 

Ability to conduct inspections in a professional manner following state and federal programmatic guidelines.

Qualifications:

Minimum - 

Must be willing to physically come in the office to perform the duties & responsibilities of the positions

Must have current authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship

Must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences or public health

Must have a valid Driver’s License

Must be willing to drive your personal vehicle to conduct field inspections

Preferred - 

Skills to operate common EH field testing equipment and ancillary inspection equipment. 

Ability to use DOH and DEP computer programs for program administration, workflow monitoring, data collection.

Skill to use EH laws, rules and procedures to conduct an accurate and objective inspection. 

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:

717 West Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach FL 32168

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.    

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.