ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64002619 1

Requisition No: 827819 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64002619 1

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64002619 

Salary:  $42,000.00 to $48,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 05/06/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

This is an Open Career Service Environmental Specialist II position with the Department of Health in Lee County.

This professional Environmental Specialist II position functions independently for the DOH in Lee County, Environmental Health division in the Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS) program. The duties include performing work in the Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems program, Mobile Home/RV parks, as well as other environmental programs. The incumbent in this position is considered to have regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of Chapter 60L-36, Florida Administrative Code.

OSTDS Program: The environmental specialist is expected to review residential applications and plans, accept and issue permits for residential systems, perform site evaluations, perform abandonment inspections, perform initial and final inspections of newly installed systems as well as inspections of repairs on systems, investigate sanitary nuisance complaints, and any enforcement duties to ensure compliance with public health standards. Field work involves heavy lifting and physical activity in an often-strenuous environment. The specialist determines seasonal high-water tables and seasonally inundated areas to determine system suitability and compliance with 62-6, Florida Administrative Code and Florida Statutes

When requested, the specialist may be required to meet or consult with clients, government officials, property owners, general contractors, engineers, septic tank contractors, and/or other interested parties regarding inspections and future development of sites to be served by an OSTDS. The position may also be required to present expert witness testimony and represent the department in legal proceedings involving noncompliant persons or facilities within Lee County.

This position is responsible for performing assigned program state inspections at least once per year and starting enforcement of in instances of noncompliance. The specialist is responsible for quality assurance and oversite of the functionality and enforcement of assigned program requirements.

Mobile Home/RV Park Program: Regulate and enforce the laws and rules pertaining to approved water and sewer connections, conditions propagating sanitary nuisances, and overcrowding to prevent environmentally transmitted disease per Ch. 381.006(14) F.S.; Ch. 513 F.S.; and Ch. 64E-15 F.A.C.

The specialist is required to perform data entry of permit, inspection, and enforcement information into the Environmental Health Database (EHD) as needed. Enter Daily Activity Reports daily and submit time sheets as required and in time frames specified.  Attend DOH mandatory training prior to assigned deadlines and respond to Everbridge Emergency alerts within 60 minutes.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

• Knowledge and skill in using field equipment required, including but not limited to operating a laser level, shovel, auger, Munsell Color Charts, drill, and other equipment as deemed necessary to perform environmental health inspections
• Knowledge of terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences
• Knowledge of and basic computer skills
• Knowledge of correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar usage
• Ability to operate general office equipment
• Ability to follow office procedures, and practices
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments
• Ability to handle telephone calls in a courteous, and effective manner
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, and in writing
• Ability to establish, and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to understand, interpret, and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies & procedures
• Ability to prioritize individual workload
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, and sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift, and carry up to 50 pounds as needed
• Ability to work with occasional loud noises indoors and/or outdoors
• Ability to work outdoors with various temperature changes
• Ability to walk for long periods of time or great distances
• Ability to locate information that is listed alphabetically & numerically
• Ability to follow instructions
• Ability to review data for accuracy, and completeness
• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision
• Ability to work with the public in a tactful and courteous manner
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques
• Incumbent will be assigned a county vehicle and will be responsible for maintaining and operating the vehicle per state and county regulations

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 30 credit hours in a related science field from a US accredited college or university.
• Certified Environmental Health Professional in the OSTDS program or Registered Sanitarian Certification FEHA or NEHA as required by Florida Statute 381.0101, or comparable experience. Certification must be obtained within 6 months or hire and maintained every two years as required by Florida Statute.

Licensure/registration/certification requirements (If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite):

• Certified Environmental Health Professional in the OSTDS program or Registered Sanitarian Certification FEHA or NEHA as required by Florida Statute 381.0101.  Certification must be maintained every two years as required by Florida Statute.
• Positions in the Department of Health responsible 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.  Requirements for certification are found in Chapter 64E-18.004(3), Florida Administrative Code.

Other job-related requirements for this position:

• 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 threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
• This position is authorized to transport confidential information outside of established DOH-Lee facilities and must comply with parameters defined in DOHP 50-10.
• Incumbent must possess valid Florida Driver License and have a motor vehicle to carry out these duties.
• Selected immunizations or titers and/or periodic screening for tuberculosis may be recommended for this position.
• This position will abide by all state and federal laws, rules, and DOH Policies and Procedures.
• This position is classified as sensitive. This individual will perform tasks defined as sensitive and handles confidential information. Background screening is a condition of employment.

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (B) Total hours in workweek 40 (C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.) May be required to work additional hours as needed in emergencies or special projects.

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:

Fort Myers

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.