ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 64086169

Requisition No: 843270 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 64086169

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64086169 

Salary:  $51,702.04 / Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 12/27/2024 

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TITLE:  ENVIORNMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 64086169

LOCATION:  Naples, FL

OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a field professional position in Environmental Health (EH), responsible for conducting regulatory inspections across multiple EH programs. The employee in this position is required to work independently and manage their time to meet established deadlines and is responsible to perform the following tasks per Florida rules and regulations and Department of Health policies and procedures. Contributes to the organization’s culture of performance excellence by actively seeking to improve personal and organizational performance through measurement, analysis, knowledge management, process improvements, and participation in performance management committees, councils, and/or workgroups. Continuously demonstrates the Department’s ICARE values. This works under the supervision of the Environmental Manager. Certain immunizations and TB testing may be required.

Conducts field inspections in assigned EH program components, ensuring and maintaining compliance on a prescribed schedule following Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Codes, the Environmental Health program manual, internal policies, and standard operating procedures. 

Responds to public health nuisance complaint investigations and inspections procedures in assigned programs within two (2) working days after receipt or as coordinated with partnering agencies or divisions. Coordinates, delegates, and tracks enforcement actions of nuisance complaints in cooperation with supervisor. Coordinates and responds to foodborne illness complaints. Coordinates communication and collaboration between Environmental Health, Epidemiology, and other agencies in Florida to conduct investigations in accordance with Interagency agreements. Responsible for completing Environmental Health Assessment Reports. Collects water, food, and/or other samples whenever necessary for laboratory analysis in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

Lead inspector of the food hygiene and group care program. Coordinates preopening inspections, including plan review activities and consultations regarding account status to achieve compliance with Florida laws and regulations. Assists supervisor with communication between the EH Division and Central Office for rule interpretation and program guidance. Assists with plan review and issuance of permits in the onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems. 

Coordinates and provides training and education in assigned EH programs to clients, general public and community partners. Lead inspector in training and standardizing staff in the food hygiene and group care program components. 

Maintains EH records, including inspections and site visits, by entering them into the designated Environmental Health system. Submits all completed inspection reports to the program supervisor for review and enters hours worked and services performed into the Health Management System per Department of Health policies and EH coding pamphlet.

Performs other related duties as required, including evening or weekend work and participation in approved training and staff meetings.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Florida Administrative Codes and Florida Statutes related to the duties of the position. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and customers.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize workload to meet deadlines and to ensure completion of inspections as required. 
• Skill in the use of computers including applications such as Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and the Environmental Health Database or comparable databases. 
• Ability to effectively perform field inspections, to document findings, write reports and prepare legal notices as required. 
• Ability to prepare and present information to customers, the public and community partners.  Knowledge of food hygiene, group care, biomedical waste, and tanning standards.
• Skill in the use of equipment relating to these programs (ex. Chemical test strips, thermometers, light meter, stopwatch, etc.). 
• Ability to utilize continuous quality improvement techniques and tools to increase efficiency and enhance programmatic outcomes.

Qualifications:

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree from an U.S. accredited college or university with a minimum of 30 credit hours in a related science field. Valid Driver’s License and the ability to provide reliable transportation.  
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and must be able to move freely around inspection sites, including schools, bars, etc., and work outside in high heat and humid conditions.
• 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.  Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency or as needed.
• Food Hygiene and OSTDS certification is required per Florida Statutes and Chapter 64E-18, FAC and must be obtained within six months of hire and recertified every two years as required.

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:

Naples, 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.

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.