OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64853741

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

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.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The incumbent is 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. 

This is a professional position that conducts site inspections to evaluate applications to construct, modify, or repair onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (septic systems).  This position conducts plan reviews and site evaluations to ensure applications for onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems meet permitting requirements of all pertinent laws and rules.  This position conducts compliance inspections and on-going monitoring, when required, to ensure that onsite systems are constructed, operated and maintained so as not to be a threat to the public health or degrade drinking, surface or ground water resources.

This position will perform work in the septic section of Environmental Health to include application review and processing, site evaluations, permit issuance, and compliance inspections in all areas of the OSTDS program in accordance with Chapter 381, Florida Statutes, Chapter 64E-6, F.A.C., and the Environmental Health Program Manual DOHM 150-4.  Consults with property owners, engineers, and developers to facilitate design changes.

Investigate nuisance complaints, prepare reports, violation notices, and initiate compliance actions in accordance with Florida Statutes, codes, Environmental Health Program Manual DOHM 150-4, and other department guidelines.

Performs other duties as required, including performance of additional interpreter duties, consistent with skill level, and as needed.

Employee must be able to lift 25 pounds, stand or walk for long periods of time (greater than 30 minutes), and be able to walk on rough or uneven terrain.  Employee must also be able to work in tight spaces with limited air movement and possible high temperatures, to work outdoors in various weather conditions (for example in typical Florida daily rain or heat), and be able to cope with an encounter of live or dead insects or animals when in the field or office.

Employee will adhere at all times to all safety practices which includes but is not limited to the following: proper lifting and office equipment use, safe driving practices (including proper use and storage of vehicle keys) and vehicle safety, proper cell phone use, blood borne pathogen procedures, use of all issued personal protective equipment, proper field equipment use, proper fire extinguisher use, following safety orders and recommendations regarding weather events or other issues, following all safety rules posted at field sites and facilities, heat and field safety, and any other specific safety guidelines or policies provided by supervisors, managers, safety officers, or human resources.  Employee will make every effort to maintain a safe workplace and will report any safety violations to a supervisor or building manager immediately.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of all applicable state and local laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to the physical requirements of regulated facility operations. 
• Be familiar with confidentiality law. 
• Knowledge and ability to pass Chapter 64E-6, Florida Administrative Code’s Standardization, Soil Standardization, Field Standardization and Environmental Health Professional Certification for the Septic program. 
• Knowledge of all applicable codes and regulations. 
• Ability to operate laser plane, dumpy balances, and computer. 
• Skill in oral and written communication with clients and employees. 
• Ability to use personal computer equipment and be familiar with the standard Microsoft Office programs.

Qualifications:

• Valid Florida Class E, driver license.
• 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 in one of the physical or natural sciences, engineering or public health, 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.
• Environmental Health Professional Certification (OSTDS) within 6 months of hire if not already certified

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. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• 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.