Environmental Specialist Ii

Requisition No: 825003

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64031281

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64031281

Salary: $42,000-$47,500 annually

Posting Closing Date: 03/27/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Job Posting : External

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Monroe 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:

Under the direct supervision of an Environmental Manager, is responsible for conducting environmental health inspections and investigations of regulated establishments for compliance with public health statutes and rules. This position is able to confer with engineers, public officials, and community leaders. When a violation of Administrative Code or threats to public health is identified, this position initiates and then uses progressive legal enforcement to seek corrections. Appropriate documentation of the investigations and case work performed is essential.

• Conducts inspections of institutional food establishments and maintains certification in this program. Investigates food-borne outbreaks and environmental sanitation complaints. Conducts interviews, takes statements, collects evidence, and prepares investigative reports for serious violations. Confers with and educates owner and civic groups about significance of disease control, sanitation, and health regulations. Maintains inspection activity data and prepares administrative reports.

• Inspects public swimming pools and maintains either a CPO (Certified Pool Operator) or AFO (Aquatic Facility Operator) certification in this program. Investigates water-borne outbreaks and environmental sanitation complaints. Conducts interviews, takes statements, collects evidence, and prepares investigative reports for serious violations. Confers with and educates owner and civic groups about significance of disease control, sanitation, and health regulations. Maintains inspection activity data and prepares administrative reports.

• Inspects on-site sewage treatment and disposal systems and maintains certification in this program. Monitors permitted wastewater systems for compliance with environmental and sanitation regulations. Investigates environmental nuisance complaints and initiates enforcement action where indicated. Inspects aerobic treatment units and collects samples for laboratory evaluation. Maintains records and files of inspections and applications/plans.

• Collects beach water samples and maintains files of beach sample results. Coordinates sampling with the Department of Environmental Protection.

• Inspects biomedical waste generators, mobile home parks, group care facilities, tanning facilities and body piercing facilities assigned to this position. Enforces applicable regualtions and initiates legal action as required. Maintains records and files of inspections.

• Maintains and improves professional knowledge and skills through continuing education, review of environmental publications, internet, participation in monthly staff meetings and staff development activities.

• Performs related duties as required

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of GPs plotting, photography
• knowledge of management skills
• ability to work independently
• knowledge of Microsoft office, and other basic-intermediate computer skills
• ability to read and correctly interpret data accurately and completely
• ability to communicate effectively and professionally with clients, co-workers, other professionals and in groups
• knowledge of infection control, health care services, principles and methods of infectious disease prevention and control
• ability to develop methods for monitoring and evaluating quality of service and compliance with rules, policies, and statues
• ability to demonstrate personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability
• knowledge of data collection
• ability to adapt to change
• ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of the work
• ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• knowledge of community resources and organizations
• Ability to demonstrate cognitive thinking and problem solving
• Ability to assume leadership roles in emergency response situations

Qualifications:

• This occupation requires licensure 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.
• Driver’s License Required
• Incumbent maintains current certification in OSTDs and food safety inspections.
• In Florida, anyone working in the primary program areas of the Food Protection Program or Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS) Program must be a Certified Environmental Health Professional (CEHP), per Chapter 381.0101 of the Florida Statutes (F.S).
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical sciences, environmental health, public health, or engineering

Other job-related requirements for this position:

Emergency Duty: 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.

Confidentiality: Incumbent may have access to records containing Social Security numbers in the performance of their job duties.

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:

Key West, FL

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.

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.