ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

Environmental Specialist I - 64028394

This is a fulltime Career Service (CS) Environmental Specialist I position working with the Department of Health in Lee County. This professional Environmental Specialist I position functions independently and performs duties under the directions of the Environmental Supervisor I of the Environmental Health Division of the Florida Department of Health in Lee County. This is primarily a field position responsible for inspections in the following programs (or as assigned by the Environmental Supervisor I): Biomedical Waste, Body Art – Body Piercing & Tattooing, Food Safety and Sanitation, Group Care, Migrant Farmworker Housing, Mobile Home/RV Parks, Public Swimming Pools, and Tanning.

Primary Assigned Programs:

• Public Swimming Pool Program: Regulate and enforce the laws and rules to reduce the transmission of disease and injuries to the patrons of public swimming pools and bathing places through engineering controls, routine health and safety inspections, water sampling, and education per Ch. 514 F.S.; Ch. 381.006(13); Ch. 64E-9 Florida Administrative code (F.A.C.); and Florida Building Code.
• Food Safety & Sanitation Program: Inspect food service establishments, educate the operators, and enforce the public health requirements to ensure that facilities under the Department's jurisdiction safely prepare and serve food to the public per Ch. 64E-11 F.A.C and Ch. 381.0072 F.S. Earn the CEHP in Food Protection within 6 months of hire; become standardized in Ch. 64 E-11 F.A.C. by the Food Hygiene Coordinator; and complete the required contact hours for the CEHP license every 2 years.
• Biomedical Waste Program: Regulate and enforce the segregation, packaging, transportation, storage, and treatment of biomedical waste to reduce the incidence of exposure to disease and injury per Ch. 64E-16 F.A.C and Sec. 381.0098 F.S.
• Group Care Program: Regulate and enforce the laws and rules pertaining to sanitation, control of communicable diseases, protection, and safety of the public's health, and to prevent accidents and injuries from occurring in residential and non-residential FDOH facilities per Ch. 381.006(6) and (16) F.S.; Ch. 64E-12 F.A.C.; Ch. 64C-14 F.A.C.; Ch. 6A-2.004 F.A.C.; and Florida Building Code.
• Mobile Home/RV Park Program: Regulate and enforce the laws and rules pertaining to approved water and sewer connections, conditions propagating sanitary nuisances, and overcrowding to prevent environmentally transmitted disease per Ch. 381.006(14) F.S.; Ch. 513 F.S.; and Ch. 64E-15 F.A.C.

Perform inspections and nuisance complaint investigations, and initiate compliance and enforcement actions when appropriate for assigned facilities and locations. This position may be required to present expert witness testimony and represent the Department on legal proceedings involving noncompliant persons or facilities within Lee County. Keep supervisor apprised of unusual activities or non-compliance issues. Enter Daily Activity Reports daily and submit time sheets as required. Attend DOH mandatory training prior to assigned deadlines. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Incumbent will be assigned a county vehicle and will be responsible for maintaining and operating the vehicle per state and county regulations.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills, the Environmental Health Database (EHD) program, EHD Mobile App, and Hosted Fax
• Knowledge of field equipment required, including but not limited to, iPhone, pool test kit, food thermometers, and other equipment as deemed necessary to perform facility inspections.
• Ability to become a Certified Food Hygiene inspector or a Registered Sanitarian and maintain certification.
• Knowledge of environmental principles, practices, & procedures
• Knowledge of correct spelling, punctuation & grammar usage
• Ability to operate general office equipment.
• Ability to frequently use telephone, computer, copier, and small hand tools, i.e.: stapler, scissors, etc.
• Ability to follow office procedures & practices.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to handle telephone calls in a courteous & effective manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally & in writing.
• Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to understand, interpret & apply applicable rules, regulations, policies & procedures.
• Ability to prioritize individual workload.
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, and sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift & carry up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Ability to work with occasional loud noises indoors and/or outdoors.
• Ability to work outdoors with various temperature changes.
• Ability to walk for long periods of time or great distances.
• Ability to locate information that is listed alphabetically & numerically.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to review data for accuracy & completeness.
• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering; or a master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering.
• Currently certified in Food Hygiene or have the ability to obtain a Professional Certification in Food Hygiene within (6) six months of hire.
• Possess a valid driver's license and have a motor vehicle to perform duties.

Location: Fort Myers, FL, US, 33901