ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64029341 1

Requisition No: 851098 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64029341 1

Position Number: 64029341 

Salary:  $42,000 - $44,000 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 04/28/2025 

**INTERNAL AGENCY POSTING ONLY**

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

The incumbent if part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Polk County in its mission to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.  

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The Environmental Specialist II serving in this position works under the general supervision of the Environmental Supervisor II and performs some specialized duties in addition to the primary inspection function, as described below. 

The incumbent must be well organized, possess strong interpersonal skills, have a strong knowledge of environmental health practices, and possess good public relations and teaching skills.  The incumbent must obtain the Environmental Health Professional Certification in Food Protection within six months of hire.

Inspections & follow-up – Food Hygiene & Group Care programs:

Inspects Food Service establishments for compliance with all applicable codes, statutes, and regulations.  Performs these inspections within the required frequencies and conducts all inspections and other functions in accordance with EH Manual 150-4.  Performs scheduled re-inspections to confirm corrective actions to address violations and return to compliance.

Monitors own inspection progress to ensure that all assigned inspections are performed within required frequencies.  Pulls quota reports and other reports from the Environmental Health Database (EHD) to ensure these inspections are on track throughout the permit year.

Maintains current, complete and accurate records of assigned facilities.  Ensures that all licenses and database entries (EHD) are current and accurate.

Investigates complaints, completing a complaint inspection report if a DOH regulated facility is the subject, and documents the investigation and resolution in the EHD complaint module.  Prepares documentation for enforcement action where necessary to achieve compliance.  Investigates all complaints reported regarding assigned facilities, and at facilities assigned to others when needed.  Completes complaint functions in accordance with EH Manual 150-4 complaint procedures.

Field training, technical assistance & coordination with state DCEH office

The Environmental Specialist II assists the supervisor in providing field training and technical assistance to new staff in the Food Hygiene and Group Care programs. In this role, serves also as the certified Food Program Coordinator for FDOH Polk and completes the certification process for coordinators as developed by the DCEH program office. Communicates with the state DCEH office when needed to clarify rule requirements or seek technical guidance on compliance issues that arise.  Informs the supervisor of all determinations and guidance provided.

Foodborne illness complaints & surveys:

Has the primary role in the unit for responding to foodborne illness complaints, contacting complainants and completing foodborne illness surveys in the FLCORS system for all reported ill persons.  Forwards completed information to appropriate agency contacts, with redaction of clients’ personal identifiers for non-DOH recipients.  Participates in discussion and analysis with EH and Epidemiology unit staff.  Assists in coordination of joint inspections with other food regulatory agencies in response to foodborne outbreaks.  Provides training in foodborne illness procedures to other staff serving as backup for this function.

Other duties:

Other duties may include work in the biomedical waste, tanning, mobile home park, and water programs, and in the investigation of sanitary nuisances.

Performs other duties as required and as needed, including interpreter duties depending on skill level. 

Physical requirements:

The inspection component of this position requires that the employee perform field duties in all conditions including high summer temperatures.  Position duties involve frequent walking and standing.  Some inspection locations and sites may require the ability to walk over uneven terrain for significant distances.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of environmental field work and the practical application of scientific principles and techniques.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Skill in data collection, review of documents, and organizing files and records.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with regulated parties and the public.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to prioritize, organize and schedule work assignments.
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer and the use of common software applications

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering and two years of professional experience in environmental protection, regulation or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; or engineering; or
• A master's degree from an accredited or university in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering and one year of professional experience as described above
• This position may require certification as outlined in Florida Statutes 381.0101 for either (1) Food Protection, or (2) Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS), or (3) both Food Protection and OSTDS programs. 
• To qualify for certification, the incumbent must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and must have successfully completed a minimum of 30-semester or 40 quarter hours in environmental health, environmental science, a physical or a biological science, or public health.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License

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:

Bartow, 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.

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.

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.