Environmental Specialist I

Salary: $34,760.00 - $43,000.00 annually Posting Closing Date: 09/10/2026 Total Compensation Estimator Tool ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I Open Competitive Your Specific Responsibilities: This position performs specialized professional environmental work in the onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) and the facilities programs making independent decisions, performing site evaluations, research, permit application and project reviews for new and existing septic tank installations and repair permits for failing systems. This position is also responsible for inspection and permit issuance in all areas of OSTDS, water and facilities programs. This position maintains a good working knowledge of all statutory and rule requirements. This position maintains a good working knowledge of all applicable codes and regulations involving these tasks and can prepare and present legal cases. This position is required to be Department of Health certified at all levels in the primary area of Onsite Sewage Treatment & Disposal and Food protection Responsible for inspecting new and existing septic tank installations and properly completes all paperwork on approved systems. If the system is approved, notifies installer or applicant. Performs site evaluations for septic tank permit applications. Reviews the application for completeness, identifies environmental impact associated with proposed activities, assists in giving guidance and direction in the resolution of environmental issues, drafts proposed agency action. Coordinates the review and evaluation of proposed systems for consistency with department laws and regulations. Issues permit or send denial letter after completion of the site test. Inspects failing septic systems and issues repair permits after completion of investigation. Performs site inspections of regulated systems to ensure compliance with regulations. Performs early failure investigations. Conducts inspections and issues permits for Aerobic treatment units, industrial/manufacturing zone OSTDS, initiates enforcement actions by drafting non-compliance and warning letters. Conducts sanitary nuisance complaint investigations, contactor complaint and private provider investigations. Responsible for gathering evidence and information to be utilized in legal actions. Serves as backup to inspect septage haulers, portable toilet operations, septage land application areas and lime stabilization as required by applicable codes. Conducts site visits to determine the mean annual flood line. Reviews federal and state environmental health laws and regulations for compliance, prepares reports, reviews to determine compliance with codes. Conducts inspections and issues permits for aerobic treatment units, alternative systems designed and submitted by an engineer and performance-based treatment systems. Reviews and approves or disapproves inspections provided by private provider inspectors. Initiates enforcement actions by drafting notices of violation and warning letters. Backup inspector - Responsible for conducting animal bite investigations and prepares reports of animal bite incidents for the Rabies Surveillance program. Conducts inspections of biomedical waste facilities based on applicable codes and Environmental Public Health standard operating procedures. Approves initial licenses for biomedical waste facilities. Monitors and/or verifies safe and sanitary disposal of biomedical waste generated by various facilities in Hernando County. Implements and provides educational programs designed to enhance professional knowledge, awareness and capabilities of biomedical waste handling and packaging. Conducts food service establishment inspections at the required frequency based on EPH standard operating procedures. Investigates food-borne illness and food hygiene complaints. Approves initial licenses for food service establishments. Conducts mobile home/RV park and recreational camp inspections at the required frequency based on (EPH) standard operating procedures. Approves initial licenses for mobile home/RV parks. Conduct preliminary and follow-up site inspections of group care facilities to evaluate and ensure compliance of codes based on EPH standard operating procedures. Conducts preliminary and follow-up inspections of tattooing and tanning facilities to ensure code compliance. Conducts swimming pool inspections at the required frequency based on EPH standard operating procedures. Attend Certified Pool Operator course. Provides education and training to swimming pool operators. Conduct Limited-Use water supply system inspections and sanitary surveys. Collects bacteriological and chemical samples. Coordinates the program with other agencies (Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Florida Water Management District) in the investigation of jurisdictional complaints. Collects water samples for the Coastal Beach Monitoring (Healthy Beaches) program and well surveillance program. Assured samples are delivered to the Department of Health Tampa Branch Laboratory or other laboratories in a timely manner for analysis Prepares legal action. Prepares and maintains appropriate records in a manner that would qualify as legal documents. Maintains a good working knowledge of applicable rules and regulations. Prepare legal documentation and enforcement notices. Investigate complaints and non-septic sanitary nuisances. Coordinates work with other Environmental Public Health staff and assist them in the different investigations and evaluations. Reviews federal and state environmental health laws and regulations for projected impact on state operations. Perform other related duties as requested/required. Reports breaches of security to supervisor. Responsible for securing the designated information set for the purposes of protecting confidentiality, data integrity, and appropriate access, for all information, both confidential and public record, which is stored in hard copy or electronic formats. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Reading comprehension. Ability to solve problems and make decisions. Ability to communicate efficiently. Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific data. Ability to work independently. Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to determine work priorities and complete work assignments. Qualifications: Minimum - Must meet the educational requirements of Florida Statues 381.0101,which are: a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, environmental science, or a physical or biological science. Major course work is no less than 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of class work in any of the following areas: 1) Chemistry 2) Biology 3) Physics or Physical Science 4) Health Science 5) Earth Science 6) Environmental Science 7) Epidemiology or Biostatistics (NOTE: time and/or experience CAN NOT substitute for educational requirements). This position requires exposure to the outside elements and the ability to lift/pull 65 pounds. You must be able to perform the duties of this position under these conditions with or without reasonable accommodation. Must have a valid Florida Driver’s license or be able to obtain one within 30 days of hire. Ability to be certified in the Onsite Sewage Program (OSP) within 6 months of hire and/or obtain the food certification (NOTE: must meet educational requirements to become certified). 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 theHealthiestState 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: 7551 Forest Oaks Boulevard Spring Hill, FL 34606 300 S. Main Street Brooksville, FL 34601 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 Flexible Spending Accounts; Tuition waivers; And more! For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit 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: 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 on 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. All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center View phone number on click.appcast.io). 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. 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. 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io). 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr