ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64029517

This position involves professional Environmental Health (EH) work, independently conducting inspections of regulated facilities and entities for compliance with Florida Statutes (FS), Florida Administrative Code (FAC), and Sarasota County Code requirements in environmental health programs within Sarasota County in accordance with department policies and Environmental Health Program Manual 150-4. Primary duties for this position will be in the onsite sewage treatment and disposal system (OSTDS) program but work in all other EH programs may be required from time to time including (but not limited to) public water well construction permitting; mobile home parks safety and sanitation; food hygiene; group care; migrant labor camps; Super-Act (water well surveillance); limited use public wells; biomedical waste, tattoo, body art and piercing establishments; sanitary/environmental nuisance complaints; rabies surveillance; Safe Drinking Water Act; and skin tanning establishments. The position is based in the South County Environmental Health office in Venice and will primarily serve the southern half of Sarasota County; however, travel to the North County Environmental Health office (located in Sarasota) will be required as needed depending on workload. Use of personal vehicle will at times be required (with mileage reimbursed per Florida Statute Chapter 112.061.) Assigned duties will include a majority of work outdoors conducting inspections, site evaluations of unimproved and un-cleared acreage and/or land parcels covered in thick vegetation and collecting samples in all types of weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain, high humidity, and other adverse and unpleasant conditions. This position requires 6-7 hours of daily field work and reports directly to the Environmental Supervisor II – SES.

ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS (OSTDS): Perform necessary site and soil evaluations, review plans, and approve or deny the issuance of construction permits in accordance with Florida Statute 381.0065, Florida Administrative Code 62-6 (abbreviated F.A.C 62-6) and Sarasota County Ordinance Section 54 Article VIII. Inspects new, repaired and modified OSTDS installations to determine and ensure compliance with Florida Statute, Florida Administrative Code and County Ordinance. Provides assistance to homeowners and contractors regarding permitting. Physically able to lift up to 60 pounds and conduct soil borings to a depth of six feet using a bucket auger. Conducts operational inspections of industrial, commercial and aerobic treatment unit OSTDS. Initiates enforcement activities as needed via county code enforcement and/or state enforcement protocol. Reviews all soil profile and site evaluation submittals associated with OSTDS construction permit applications of Health staff as needed. Replies to calls, emails, and inquiries regarding soil questions.

GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM SUPPORT: Provides field and staff support for all environmental health programs, including but not limited to: Super-Act, Biomedical Waste, Mobile Home Parks Sanitation, Sanitary Nuisance Complaints, Indoor Air Quality, Private Water Well Construction Permit Review/Inspection and Water Management Information System (WMIS) Database, Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places, and other DOH-Sarasota regulated facilities. Initiates and coordinates enforcement procedures related to assigned duties as required.

SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS: Investigate reports of sanitary nuisance complaints. Follow-up and assure corrective action have been taken or take necessary legal action in accordance with Florida Statute Chapter 386. Prepares reports of activities for immediate supervisor. Attends section staff meetings Other duties as assigned : Including providing support for all Environmental Health programs as assigned by Environmental Health Director/ Designee.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Computer skills including Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, and TEAMS Knowledge of environmental health programs Customer service skills Ability to work outdoors in extreme heat and weather conditions Ability to work 6-7 hours in the field daily Ability to lift up to 60 pounds

Qualifications: Minimum – Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in environmental health, public health, environmental science, or physical or biological science with at least 30 credit hours in physical or natural sciences, college-level mathematics, or statistics and at least two years' experience working in environmental health. (required per Florida Statute, Chapter 381) Valid driver's license Preferred – Certified Environmental Health Professional Certified in Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems