ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64002796

Requisition No: 837849 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64002796

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64002796 

Salary:  $36,002.40 - $39,603.33 

Posting Closing Date: 09/26/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - HILLSBOROUGH

Division of Environmental Public Health

Environmental Specialist I

1105 E Kennedy Blvd Tampa, FL 33602

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

Join an amazing company culture that values employee growth and development at the Florida Department of Health. Professional development is highly encouraged and supported within our organization through opportunities for mentorships and educational and skills training.  From the moment you are hired, you can begin to grow as a professional and a leader, through strategic planning, internal committees, and project engagement.  There are also many opportunities for continuing education at no cost to the employee.  If you are looking to further your education through a college degree, the Florida Department of Health can help with our tuition reimbursement program.  We offer an inspiring and encouraging atmosphere to support you while you work with us. 

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state. As a public health agency, the Florida Department of Health must monitor the health status of Floridians, diagnose, and investigate health problems, and mobilize local communities to address health-related issues. The Florida Department of Health develops policies and plans that support health goals, enforce laws and regulations that protect the health of all residents and visitors, and link people to needed health care services. The Florida Department of Health also provides specialized assistance to pregnant women, infants, and children with special health care needs, regulates health care practitioners, and provides medical disability determinations.

Title of Position:

Environmental Specialist I (Public Swimming Pools)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This entry level position will be responsible for conducting inspections in the Public Swimming Pool program throughout Hillsborough County, preparing and submitting inspection reports in accordance with Florida Administrative Code and Statute. Responsible for conducting complaint investigations as required.  Initiates and documents enforcement actions.

Responsibilities include:

• Inspecting assigned public swimming pools, spas, interactive water features, water attractions, and related facilities to identify and document conditions which might impact users’ health and safety.
• Testing water quality at assigned pools, spas, and related facilities, documenting results, and communicating violations and remedies to client.
• Verifying safety equipment at assigned pools, spas, and related facilities.
• Completing inspection report on laptop or tablet, obtaining client signature on report, and transmitting report to client.
• Temporarily closing pools found to have violations which pose an immediate risk to health or safety.
• Completing reinspection’s when required to verify that violations have been appropriately remediated.
• May assist in other program areas if required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.
• Knowledge of public health principles.
• Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
• Skill in providing excellent customer service.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data.
• Ability to prepare technical reports.
• Ability to use personal computers.
• 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 plan, organize and coordinate work assignments, and effectively manage time.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess valid Florida driver’s license or be able to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
• Must be able to carry laptop, supplies, and equipment up to 15 pounds to and from car to office and inspection sites
• Must be able to lift fiberglass, plastic, or metal equipment lids up to 30 pounds
• Must be able to bend and squat to collect water samples from pool and reach and pull poolside shower chains
• Must be able to climb up and down narrow and steep steps or ladder to enter below grade equipment rooms
• Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Must have transportation available to conduct inspections throughout Hillsborough County and be able to drive up to one hour between inspection sites.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Certified Pool Operator (CPO)
• One year of experience conducting public health inspections (e.g. drinking water, swimming pools, mobile home parks, food hygiene, and/or onsite sewage treatment disposal services.)
• One year experience maintaining or servicing public swimming pools.
• A Bachelors’ Degree in Environmental Health, Public Health, Environmental Science, or a Physical or Biological Science from an accredited college of university with no less than 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of major course work in Environmental Health, Environmental Science, or a Physical or Biological Science.

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:

Downtown Main Building

1105 E Kennedy Blvd

Tampa FL  33602

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, 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. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check. 

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.    

If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration: (877) 562-7287.

Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call (866) 221-0268.

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.