ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

Environmental Specialist IThe 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 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.Under the general supervision of the Environmental Supervisor II, this position entails professional work in the Environmental Health Services of the Pasco County Health Department (PCHD) countywide (Dade City and/or Summit Office) by conducting inspections and investigations of all Community Environmental Health Programs (CEHP), Water Program, and maybe the Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System (OSTDS) program. This position will need to complete all course work and become certified in one of the primary programs (OSTDS, Food Service) within six months after employment. The program area will be determined based on the need within the Environmental Health Services.This position will be responsible for conducting inspections and/or complaint investigations for all CEHP, such as food hygiene, group care, mobile home parks, tanning salons. This position will assist the supervisor(s) in making ready and/or conducting Programmatic Evaluations handed down from the State Program Office. Assists in initiating enforcement activities relating to any Community Environmental Health Programs along with civil and criminal court proceedings. This position will be responsible for conducting inspections and/or complaint investigations for the Water program such as community swimming pools and limited use wells. Participates in meetings, workshops and provides input to aid in the conduct of Environmental Health Programs. Participates in special projects related to Environmental Health Programs. Attends training programs, seminars, conferences, briefings, and meetings, in service and on the job training to earn contact hours adequate to comply with certification requirements for environmental health professionals. Participates in required meetings, workshops and training activities. Conducts the Environmental Health Program in an assigned geographical area that requires frequent and extensive travel. Assists in the coverage of other work areas as necessary, assists with other Environmental health programmatic inspections and workloads as needed, assists as backup for other Environmental Specialist on leave and or vacant positions for other Environmental Health offices within Pasco County. Maintain appropriate records and files; ensure records accuracy and legibility, maintain required CEU's and certification(s), perform other duties as required or needed to meet the division's plans and goals. Other duties as assigned.Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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 enough 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, soil, 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 communicate effectively. Ability to determine work priorities, assigns work, and ensure proper completion of work assignments. Combining, evaluating, and reasoning with information and data to make decisions and solve problems. These processes involve making decisions about the relative importance of information and choosing the best solution. Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. Keeping up-to-date technically and knowing one's own jobs' and related jobs' functions. Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the Environmental Health programs. Ability to understand and follow legislative policy direction as established in FL Statutes. Talking to others to effectively convey information. Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs.Qualifications: Minimum: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, environmental science, or physical or biological science. Positions in the Department of Health responsible for performing environmental health and sanitary evaluations in a primary program area of Environmental Health requires certification in accordance with Section 381.0101, Florida Statutes. Must have a valid FL Driver's License. Must be able to provide own transportation if a state vehicle is not available. Must be able to lift and pull 65 pounds of weight and carry 50 pounds of equipment. Preferred: Certification in Florida as an Environmental Health Professional in Food Protection, or a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist. Certified by either the National Environmental Health Association or the Florida Environmental Health Association. Experience communicating and analyses results with clients and/or the public. Experience working in the Environmental Health field (e.g. taking water samples from wells, conducting pool inspections and/or food inspections).