Environmental Specialist

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64028454 Job posting category (Open Competitive) 64028454 Environmental Specialist I Your Specific Responsibilities: This position is allocated to the Environmental Health Program of the Leon County Health Department. This is an entry level position for the Environmental Specialist job series. Incumbents in the job may require additional training or experience to attain full proficiency in some or all the job responsibilities. Under supervision of the EH Director: The incumbent in this regulatory position is responsible for the compliance of Food service establishments, residential facilities, swimming pools, public and private schools, mobile home/RV park, migrant labor camp, and biomedical waste facilities with the appropriate Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code requirements and the Leon County Ordinance relating to sanitary practices. Inspections Under general to limited supervision, performs inspections, conducts interviews and technical reviews and recommends enforcement actions as needed. Interprets regulatory and technical issues and analytical data to document compliance with State, Federal, and local environmental health laws and regulations. Assists with implementation of countywide programs for compliance, monitoring, enforcement and corrective action in conjunction with environmental health laws, rules and regulations. Learns to evaluate programs for compliance with environmental laws/rules and recommend monitoring and corrective/enforcement actions. Learns to conduct environmental evaluations, technical reviews, and inspections. Upon completion of adequate training under supervision of EH Manager as assigned, will provide inspection/permitting/consultation for compliance of state regulations in residential facilities, and private/public schools in an assigned area of Leon County, food service establishments, swimming pools, mobile home/RV park, migrant labor camp, biomedical waste in compliance with the appropriate Florida Statutes, Administrative Codes, Department policy and Leon County Ordinances. Investigate health-related complaints. Investigations Investigates complaints and provides environmental health education and technical assistance to the general public, regulated community and officials. Investigates programmatic and assigned sanitary nuisance complaints in all areas of environmental health. Collects evidence, prepares legal notices, and initiates appropriate enforcement action when warranted. Community Outreach and Education Provide environmental health education to the public through presentations, workshops, and community outreach programs. Collaborate with local community to address environmental health concerns. Regularly responsible for reviewing applications for licensure and/or sanitation certificates, making recommendations to the supervisor or director as to status of licensure and/or certification for all the above establishments. Regularly assist the director or supervisor provide educational guidance in all areas of environmental health listed above to owner/operators, workers, and the general public to minimize the potential for environmental health hazards, other health and safety factors in Leon County establishments. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Use of personal vehicle required. Incumbent required to use transit and/or builder’s level. Knowledge of terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of physical/natural sciences. Knowledge of data collection and analysis. Ability to perform site inspections, collect or evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific data. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to utilize problem solving techniques. Ability to determine work priorities. Ability to adapt to change. Qualifications: Certification in Food Hygiene Programs / 381.0101 ss. Incumbent MUST become State certified in the Food Hygiene programs during the probationary period. A bachelor's degree from accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences, environmental health, public health, or engineering. 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. 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 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 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. 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 reflect 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. 155 W. 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