ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64065110

 Pay Plan: [[custSubGroup]]

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – HILLSBOROUGH

Environmental Public Health – Environmental Specialist I

1105 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL  33602

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County.  If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place.  Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida.  We hope you decide to join our team!  Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

Join an amazing company culture that values employee growth and development at the Florida Department of Health. Professional development is highly encouraged and supported within our organization through opportunities for mentorships and educational and skills training.  From the moment you are hired, you can begin to grow as a professional and a leader, through strategic planning, internal committees, and project engagement.  There are also many opportunities for continuing education at no cost to the employee.  If you are looking to further your education through a college degree, the Florida Department of Health can help with our tuition reimbursement program.  We offer an inspiring and encouraging atmosphere to support you while you work with us. 

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state. As a public health agency, the Florida Department of Health must monitor the health status of Floridians, diagnose, and investigate health problems, and mobilize local communities to address health-related issues. The Florida Department of Health develops policies and plans that support health goals, enforce laws and regulations that protect the health of all residents and visitors, and link people to needed health care services. The Florida Department of Health also provides specialized assistance to pregnant women, infants, and children with special health care needs, regulates health care practitioners, and provides medical disability determinations.

Title of Position: Environmental Specialist I

Open Competitive

This entry level position’s primary responsibility involves conducting biomedical waste and tattoo inspections of regulated facilities. This entails directly dealing with the public, ensuring facilities are licensed, seeking enforcement for non-compliance, collaborating with other agencies, conducting complaint investigations, entering data into a computer, answering questions over the phone, preparing inspection reports, ensuring accurate completion and timely submission of administrative reports, maintaining records, attending meetings, receiving training, and assisting in fee collections. Strong communication skills are a must, as this position is required to ensure compliance with state codes and statutes to protect the public’s health, provide program information, answer client questions, and explain policies. Applicant should be detailed oriented and able to multi-task.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of Environmental Supervisor II, incumbent will perform biomedical waste and tattoo facility inspections and investigations to determine compliance with regulatory requirements.  Responsibilities include planning and prioritizing all assigned duties and responsibilities to ensure that work is completed at the full expectations of the position within the scope of Florida Department of Health policies, Florida Administrative Codes, and Florida Statutes.
• Inspect facilities, monitor operations, collect data, and/or perform field evaluations to determine compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Respond to requests for permitting; notify parties of program requirements; provide applications and other necessary documents to applicants; issue permits; and keep database updated.
• Investigate complaints.  Complaints may include, but are not limited to, sanitary nuisance reports, allegations of unsatisfactory sanitation practices at facilities, unlicensed or unpermitted activities, responds to complaints of improperly disposed of needles and other SHARPS and biological material, etc. Chapter 386, Part I, Florida Statutes (FS), further defines sanitary nuisance and provides a list of conditions that constitute prima facie evidence of sanitary nuisance.
• Incumbent is required to participate in all temporary tattoo events.
• May assist in other program areas as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
• Knowledge of public health principles.
• Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
• Skills in providing excellent customer service.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to prepare technical reports.
• Ability to use personal computers.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments, and effectively manage time.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.

Qualifications:

Minimum: 

• • Must have a valid current driver’s license.
  • Must have transportation available to perform inspections throughout Hillsborough County.
  • Must be able to stand for extended periods of time performing inspections.
  • Must have a minimum of six months of customer service experience.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health, Public Health, Environmental Science, or a Physical or Biological Science from an accredited college or university with no less than 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of major course work in Environmental Health, Environmental Science, or a Physical or Biological Science. (Transcripts will be required.)
• Certified to perform food inspections in the State of Florida as a Certified Environmental Health Professional or certified as a Registered Sanitarian or Registered Environmental Health Specialist.
• Minimum one year of experience working for a public health agency within the past 5 years.
• Minimum one year of customer service experience.
• Highly desired:  Bilingual (English and Spanish).

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:

Innovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

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

Accountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

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

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

Where You Will Work: 1105 E. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL  33602

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.

For a State of Florida Total Compensation Estimator visit State of Florida Total Compensation Estimator (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.    

If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration: (877) 562-7287.

Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call (866) 221-0268.

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.