OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64853563

Requisition No: 829529 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64853563

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64853563 

Salary:  $22 - $24 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 11/30/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

 Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Pasco 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 is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Pasco 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 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.

WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT?

Other Personal Services (OPS) employment is a temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks.  OPS are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment and terminations at the recommendation of the employer.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The incumbent, an OPS Environmental Specialist I, is an employee of the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH Pasco).  The OPS Environmental Specialist I is expected to work relatively independently, but under the supervision of the Environmental Health Management Team, in accordance with inspection standards and timeframes mandated by the agency.  The incumbent conducts Environmental Health Program inspections, investigations, and enforcement of Environmental Health programs assigned to ensure that minimum requirements of the Florida Administrative Codes are maintained. The incumbent in this position will be required to confer with and/or educate both the public and private sector with respect to long-range public health matters and disease control for the good of the community. This position may be required to confer with engineers, public officials, and community leaders. When violations of Administrative Codes or threats to public health are identified, this position initiates and then uses progressive legal enforcement to seek corrective action. Appropriate documentation of investigative and case work is essential and the use of the various databases.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems:  Perform necessary site evaluations, review plans, and approve the issuance of new construction and repair permits in a timely manner in accordance with Ch. 62 FAC Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems, Florida Administrative Code (FAC).  Provide advice to homeowners and builders on F.S. and FAC permitting. 
• Nuisance Complaint Investigations:  Investigate reports of sanitary nuisance complaints.  Follow-up and assure corrective action have been taken or take necessary legal action.

Secondary Responsibilities as needed:

• Mobile Home Parks, Recreational Vehicle Parks: Perform routine inspections and review plans and applications for operating permits to determine compliance with F.S. and FAC.
• Migrant Labor Camps: Perform routine inspections and review plans and applications for operating permits to determine compliance with F.S. and FAC.
• Swimming Pools & Bathing Places:  Perform routine inspections and review plans and applications for operating and permits to determine compliance with F.S. and FAC.  Collect water samples for bacteriological analysis as needed.
• Super Act and Well Surveillance Program:  Performs routine inspections and review plans and applications for operating permits for public water systems to determine compliance with F.S. and FAC.  Coordinate and collect drinking water samples in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection and DOH-Bureau of Toxicology for groundwater chemical contamination.  Assist all agencies and the public in remediation of contaminated wells.
• Disaster Response: Work before, during and /or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency which may include working in a special needs shelter/POD, being deployed to another CHD for assistance 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.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of:  Environmental Health Programs and standards, Florida Administrative Codes and Florida Statues related to the duties of this position.
• Skills:  use of equipment and supplies related to the position.  Incumbent must be able to lift to 65 or more pounds and carry to 50 pounds of equipment.  Incumbent must be able to work outdoors for most of the day which involves working out in the field in the Florida weather (hot, humid, wet, etc.) and may require strenuous physical activity.
• Ability to:
  • make observations, take measurements, and relate same to standards in order to identify deviations.
  • perform mathematical functions
  • reach duty sites as scheduled, perform field work, write reports, and prepare legal notices when necessary.
  • coordinate work activities, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with multi-cultural clients, co-workers, and supervisors
  • work independently.
  • perform computer skills as required by the position held
  • prepare and present information to clients, the public, and community partners.

• Manage Processes: integrate and effectively utilize all components of the strategic planning process to help DOH Highlands achieve its vision.  Appropriately assesses and allocates resources (financial, human, equipment, and supplies) develop, implement, and evaluate business plans.
• Human relations:  work with others in a professional, considerate, and helpful manner, projects a positive image of DOH Highlands staff.
• Initiative:  be self-confident, motivated, and enthusiastic drive to perform current job duties and undertake duties of greater responsibility.
• Responsive to Direction:  take and give direction; accept and deliver constructive criticism and respond and implement suggestions for improvement.
• Flexibility:  accommodate changing situations or plans for satisfactory performance of the job.  Able to change easily from one task to another.
• Technology:  navigate the Internet, use office suite and assorted software, and use of technology equipment.
• Communication (Oral &Written):  takes the initiative to communicate accurate, up-to-date plans and information to subordinates, peers, and management.  Expresses thoughts clearly, both verbally and in writing.  Listens and understands the views of others.
• Creative Thinking:  develops new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to make organizational improvements; designs and implements new or cutting-edge programs/processes.
• Team Building:  inspires, motivates, and guides others toward goal accomplishments.  Consistently develops and sustains cooperative working relationships.  Encourages and facilitates cooperation within the organization and with customer groups, fosters commitment, team spirit, pride trust.  develops leadership in others through coaching, mentoring, rewarding and guiding employees.
• Interpersonal Skills:  shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, cooperation, concern, and politeness to others, relates well to different people from varied backgrounds and different situations.
• Customer Service:  works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work produces including the public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provides information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing excellence in products and services.
• Time Management:  manages a variety of responsibilities in a timely, efficient manner and can prioritize tasks, input of data into data base in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

Licensure/registration/certification requirements (If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite): FDOH Bureau of Environmental Heath certification in Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal and Food Protection or RS status. Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one prior to hire. Incumbent must possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited college or university with 30 credit hours in a related science field (Environmental Health, Environmental Science or a Physical or Biological Science) required.

Other job-related requirements for this position:

Education:  This position requires a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, with 30+ credit hours of science courses reviewed and approved by the FDOH Facility Program Section, as needed.  Incumbent will be required to become certified in Food Hygiene and the Onsite Treatment and Disposal Systems program within 6 months of employment.

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:

7509 State Road 52, Hudson, FL 34667 

or

13941 15th Street, Dade City, Fl 33525

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.

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.