OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64853300

Requisition No: 807078 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64853300

Position Number: 64853300 

Salary:  1744.00 BI-WEEKLY 

Posting Closing Date: 01/02/2024 

Tallahassee is the Capital of Florida and a college town, so it is a melting pot of rich cultures, nightlife, and food. Our city is very family-friendly with festivals, great schools, and gorgeous parks. We're located about two hours from the beach, four hours from Disney, and just a quick drive away from Georgia.

Much of Tallahassee’s culture is defined by it being home to Florida State University, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College. Bringing a vibrant energy to the city—especially when football season kicks off in the fall! You can count on one of these teams to bring fun and excitement. Both men’s and women’s teams are incredibly competitive and ensure there are plenty of sporting events to enjoy throughout the year.

Also known as Cycle City, Tally has over 700 miles of hiking/biking trails, as well as several bike paths throughout the city. Thanks to its mountain biking trails, kid-friendly paths, multi-use lanes, and inner-city trails, biking in Tallahassee isn’t just a passion—it’s a lifestyle. Rent an e-scooter, bike, or a pedicab to get around Downtown Tallahassee. 

The only thing missing is YOU! Join us…

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Leon 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.

Specific Responsibilities:

This is an OPS Environmental Specialist I position conducting a variety of regulatory environmental health and safety inspections to ensure compliance with state and local laws, and makes recommendations on the issuance of permits, licenses, or approvals. Work is performed under the supervision of an Environmental Supervisor II-SES. This position is responsible for conducting a variety of regulatory and educational tasks in core Environmental Health areas of Food Safety, Group Care, Mobile Home/Recreational Vehicle Parks, Migrant Labor Housing, and Sanitary Nuisances in accordance with Section 381.006, Florida Statutes. This position requires independent judgment, initiative, applying general knowledge of business practices and skill in applying instructions to accomplish various job functions.

This position is designated as a sensitive position and is required to maintain confidential information in accordance with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Leon County Health Department (CHD) Information Security Policy, Protocols and Procedures. Confidential Information sets include:  Access to the Environmental Health Data Set for food borne illness investigations. Health Management System (HMS) to Daily Activity Report (DAR) entry only. Enters and updates data in Environmental Health Database (EHD) including data relating to inspections, complaints and complaint investigations, operating permits, and billing information. Information may be viewed, updated, and released as needed.

Performs regulatory inspections of public schools, private schools, assisted living facilities, and other residential group care facilities, migrant labor camps, residential migrant housing, mobile home parks and recreational vehicle parks. Performs inspections of food service operations located at FDOH-regulated facilities as required by Florida Statutes and local laws or ordinances. Conducts follow-up inspections. Investigates complaints of foodborne illnesses, completes related documentation, conducts required follow-up activities in accordance with Department policies and procedures. Investigates sanitary nuisance complaints in accordance with Chapter 386, Florida Statutes, recommends and enforces appropriate corrective actions, and makes appropriate referrals to relevant agencies. Investigates complaints of non-compliance regarding FDOH-regulated facilities, enforces or recommends appropriate corrective actions, or makes appropriate referrals to relevant agencies. Investigates allegations of unlicensed or unapproved facility operations, monitors the facility status following initial investigation, and initiates appropriate enforcement actions, or referrals to relevant agencies.

Document all findings from inspections or investigations clearly, concisely, and in sufficient detail to fully support all conclusions, recommendations, required corrective actions, and enforcement actions. Provide clear and concise oral or written information to responsible parties regarding the results of investigations or inspections. Accurately document and update data, and generate inspection reports, notices, and other documents in field settings. Collects data electronically in the field, and ensures timely updates to the main databases, as required. Collects water and food samples as required. Makes presentations to professional and community groups, planning meetings and community events, and writing detailed reports and analysis of program activities and progress reports.

Meets with property owners, facility operators, engineers, architects, planners, and prospective applicants or their representatives to provide consultation on the design and operation of facilities and resolution of environmental health and safety issues. Coordinates activities with federal, State, and local agencies. Reviews license applications. Reviews and approves plans for food service establishments, mobile home parks, residential migrant housing, migrant labor camps and other facilities. Reads, evaluates, and interprets blueprints, diagrams, sketches, maps and aerial photos involving regulated facilities or properties under investigation. Verifies availability of approved water and sewer services for regulated facilities. Recommends issuance or denial of licenses, permits, or approvals of regulated facilities based on review of the facility’s level of compliance with all applicable standards or requirements. Organizes and maintains files, reports, and other related documents. Documents possible causes and remedies. Schedules and conducts follow-up inspections. Initiates and conducts enforcement actions and special investigations in a timely manner in keeping with applicable Department or Program standards. Organizes, maintains records and other documents for enforcement activities. Drafts appropriate correspondence, reports and other documents regarding environmental health problems to facilitate compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Participates at conferences, hearings, and court appearances. Testifies at administrative hearings or court appearances as expert witness related to enforcement actions initiated. Provides accrual oral and written information to responsible parties regarding the results of investigations or inspections.

Participate in the standard activities: Outreach, Suggestions, and/or Teamwork.

Performs other duties as required.

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

• Ability to Investigate environmental health issues and conducts environmental health assessments.
• Ability to document all findings from inspections or investigations clearly and concisely, and in sufficient detail to fully support all conclusions, recommendations, required corrective actions and enforcement actions.
• Ability to collect data electronically in the field, and ensures timely updates to the main databases, as required.
• Ability to collect water and food samples as required.
• 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 perform site inspections, collect or 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 understand and follow legislative policy direction as established in Florida Statutes.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to work independently.
• 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 use personal computers.
• Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Ability to make decisions.

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

• The position requires certification as an environmental health professional (CEHP) in the area of Food Hygiene. The certification requirements are in accordance with Chapter 381.0101 F.S. requires environmental health professional certification to perform work in the food protection program within six (6) months after employment, and thereafter, maintain this certification while employed in the food protection program. Position is required to obtain OSTDS certification in septic program within one year.
  • for certification shall have graduated from an accredited 4-year college or university with a degree or major coursework in public health, environmental health, environmental science, or a physical or biological science”.
  • The educational requirements as per the Florida Administrative Code states “applicants beginning work in a primary area of environmental health on or after September 21, 1994 must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, environmental science, or a physical or a biological science.
  • Major course work is no less than 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of class work.

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 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.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Position requires extensive walking, bending and working in hot weather.
• Required to carry equipment with a total combined weight of up to 30 pounds.

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.