ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

Environmental Specialist I

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

Investigate 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 communities 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 the status of licensure and/or certification for all the above establishments. Regularly assists 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 environment health hazards, other health and safety factors in Leon County establishments.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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

Possess a valid driver's license. 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.