ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 64002550

Requisition No: 862991 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 64002550

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64002550 

Salary:  $51,800.00 - $52,800.00 

Posting Closing Date: 10/22/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

This is a Career Service Environmental Specialist III position working for the Lee County Health Department.

This professional Environmental Specialist III position functions independently and performs duties under the direction of the Environmental Supervisor I of the Environmental Health Division of the Florida Department of Health in Lee County. This is primarily a field position responsible for inspections in the following programs (or as assigned by the Environmental Supervisor I):  Biomedical Waste, Body Art – Body Piercing & Tattooing, Food Safety and Sanitation, Group Care, Migrant Farmworker Housing, Mobile Home/RV Parks, Public Swimming Pools, and Tanning.

Primary Assigned Programs:

Food Safety & Sanitation Program:  This position serves as the FDOH Certified Food Hygiene Coordinator and is the direct point of contact between the Food Program Consultants and field staff for education, training, guidance, and consultation.  Responsibilities include standardization of local field staff and regional field staff, as needed; review and outline Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plans; review and approve Time and Temperature Control for Safety Foods plans; and review and approve facility applications and floor plans and conduct construction inspections for permit approval.  Maintain the CEHP in Food Protection and Food Coordinator Certification per Ch. 381.0101 F.S. Duties include developing, managing, and implementing the internal policies and procedures of FDOH and external requirements and regulations of new and existing facilities.  Responsibilities include participation in Central Office program conferences/webinars/calls and presenting updates to staff.  Duties include application/invoice/permit processing; complaint investigation; code and statute enforcement; and legal action per Ch. 64E-11 F.A.C and Ch. 381.0072 F.S.

This position is the lead field investigator for foodborne illness complaints and outbreaks.  Responsibilities include review of the complaint(s) to help determine outbreak investigation status; coordinate joint investigations with other state agencies; report findings to our local Epidemiologist/Biological Administrator and Regional Epidemiologist; complete the required state and national Center for Disease Control forms for the investigation; collect and process food samples and stool samples, when necessary; write the field investigation section of the final published report; and review, log, and preserve confidential information.

Biomedical Waste Program:  Regulate and enforce the segregation, packaging, transportation, storage, and treatment of biomedical waste to reduce the incidence of exposure to disease and injury per Ch. 64E-16 F.A.C and Sec. 381.0098 F.S.  Successfully complete Bureau approved training annually.

Group Care Program:  Regulate and enforce the laws and rules pertaining to sanitation, control of communicable diseases, protection, and safety of the public's health, and to prevent accidents and injuries from occurring in residential and non-residential FDOH facilities per Ch. 381.006(6) and (16) F.S.; Ch. 64E-12 F.A.C.; Ch. 64C-14 F.A.C.; Ch. 6A-2.004 F.A.C.; and Florida Building Code.

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.

Public Swimming Pool Program:  Regulate and enforce the laws and rules to reduce the transmission of disease and injuries to the patrons of public swimming pools and bathing places through engineering controls, routine health and safety inspections, water sampling, and education per Ch. 514 F.S.; Ch. 381.006(13); Ch. 64E-9 Florida Administrative code (F.A.C.); and Florida Building Code.

Perform inspections and nuisance complaint investigations, and initiate compliance and enforcement actions when appropriate for assigned facilities and locations.

This position may be required to present expert witness testimony and represent the Department on legal proceedings involving noncompliant persons or facilities within Lee County.

Keep supervisor apprised of unusual activities or non-compliance issues.

Enter Daily Activity Reports daily and submit time sheets as required.  Complete DOH mandatory training prior to assigned deadlines.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
• Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to prepare technical reports.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to coordinate and monitor environmental related programs.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, lift, stand, and sit to perform field work.

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

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences or

engineering; or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering.

• Certification in Food Hygiene is required by Florida Statute 381.0101 or become a certified Registered Sanitarian.  Certification must be obtained within six months of hire and maintained every two years thereafter 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 64E-18.004(3) and include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, environmental science, or a physical or biological science.
• Standardized in Chapter 64E-11 F.A.C. and its corresponding reference of FDA Food Code by Certified Food Hygiene Coordinator.

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.  Emergency duties may also include in-state and/or out-of-state deployment (volunteered for duty).
• Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida.
• Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver License and have a motor vehicle to carry out these duties. 
• Taking Confidential Information Out of the Health Department:  This position is authorized to transport confidential information outside of established DOH-Lee facilities and must comply with parameters defined in DOHP 50-10.
• 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.)

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.

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. 

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.