ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64000526

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Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota 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.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position involves professional Environmental Health (EH) work, independently conducting inspections of regulated facilities and entities for compliance with Florida Statutes (FS), Florida Administrative Code (FAC), and Sarasota County Code requirements in environmental health programs within Sarasota County in accordance with department policies and Environmental Health Program Manual 150-4. Primary duties for this position will be in the onsite sewage treatment and disposal system program but work in all other EH programs will be required including (but not limited to) public water well construction permitting; mobile home parks safety and sanitation; food hygiene; group care; migrant labor camps; Super-Act (water well surveillance); limited use public wells; biomedical waste, tattoo, body art and piercing establishments; sanitary/environmental nuisance complaints; rabies surveillance; Safe Drinking Water Act; skin tanning establishments, public swimming pools and Healthy Beaches program. Use of personal vehicle will at times be required (with mileage reimbursed per Florida Statute Chapter 112.061.) Assigned duties will include a majority of work outdoors conducting inspections, site evaluations of unimproved and un-cleared acreage and/or land parcels covered in thick vegetation and collecting samples in all types of weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain, high humidity, and other adverse and unpleasant conditions. This position reports directly to the Environmental Supervisor II – SES.

ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS (OSTDS):  Perform necessary site and soil evaluations, review plans, and approve or deny the issuance of construction permits in accordance with Florida Statute 381.0065, Florida Administrative Code 62-6 (abbreviated F.A.C 62-6) and Sarasota County Ordinance Section 54 Article VIII.  Inspects new, repaired, and modified OSTDS installations to determine and ensure compliance with Florida Statute, Florida Administrative Code and County Ordinance.  Provides assistance to homeowners and contractors regarding permitting. Physically able to lift up to 60 pounds and conduct soil borings to a depth of six feet using a bucket auger. Conducts operational inspections of industrial, commercial, and aerobic treatment unit OSTDS. Initiates enforcement activities as needed via county code enforcement and/or state enforcement protocol. Reviews all soil profile and site evaluation submittals associated with OSTDS construction permit applications of Health staff as needed.  Replies to calls, emails, and inquiries regarding soil questions.

GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM SUPPORT: Provides field and staff support for all environmental health programs, including but not limited to: Food Service Establishments, Rabies, Super-Act, Biomedical Waste, Mobile Home Parks Sanitation, Sanitary and Environmental Nuisance Complaints, Indoor Air Quality, Private Water Well Construction Permit Review/Inspection and Water Management Information System (WMIS) Database and other DOH-Sarasota regulated facilities. Initiates and coordinates enforcement procedures related to assigned duties as required.

PUBLIC and PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS: Conducts field investigations of proposed private water supply well sites and locates any source of pollution or contamination.  In cases where a water use permit (WUP) is applicable, coordinates with the Southwest Florida Water Management District to ensure that they have the opportunity to review and approve the project.  Meets with engineers, property owners, well drillers and developers to evaluate and recommend design changes that will provide better protection against contamination of ground water aquifers.

Receives water related complaints from the public and conducts field investigations.  Conducts surveys of the wells in the vicinity of the complaint site and selects a group of wells that will provide an indication of the direction and extent of any contamination of the ground water.  Determines action to be taken where bacteriological or chemical contamination is found.

SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS:  Investigate reports of sanitary nuisance complaints.  Follow-up and assure corrective action have been taken or take necessary legal action in accordance with Florida Statute Chapter 386.

Other duties as assigned: Including providing support for all Environmental Health programs as assigned by Environmental Health Director/ Designee.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Computer skills including Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel, including some overnight trips

Qualifications:

Minimum –

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental health, public health, environmental science, or physical or biological science.

• Hold current certification in OSTDS as required by 64E-18, F.A.C.
• Able to respond and report to your work location within 30 minutes

Preferred –

• Registered Environmental Specialist/Registered Sanitarian with the Florida Environmental Health Association or the National Environmental Health Association.

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:

4000 S. Tamiami Trail
Robert L. Anderson Administration Center
Venice, FL 34293

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 waiver
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, 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. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check. 

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.

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.

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.