ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

Environmental Specialist I - 64030982

This position involves professional Environmental Health work, independently conducting inspections of regulated facilities and entities for compliance with Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code and Sarasota County Code requirements in environmental health programs within Sarasota County in accordance with department policies and Environmental Health Program Manual 150-4. This is a generalist Environmental Specialist I position requiring work in all Environmental Health programs including (but not limited to) water well construction permitting; public swimming pools and natural bathing areas; onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems, mobile home parks safety and sanitation, food hygiene, group care; migrant labor camps; Super-Act (water well surveillance); limited use public wells; biomedical waste, tattoo, body art and piercing establishments; sanitary/environmental nuisance complaints; rabies surveillance; Safe Drinking Water Act; and skin tanning establishments. The position is based in the North County Environmental Health office in Sarasota and will primarily serve the northern half of Sarasota County however travel to the South County Environmental Health office (located in Venice) will be required as needed depending on workload. Use of personal vehicle will at times be required (with mileage reimbursed per Florida Statute Chapter 112.061.) Assigned duties will include a majority of work outdoors conducting inspections and site evaluations of unimproved and un-cleared acreage and/or land parcels covered in thick vegetation in all types of weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain, high humidity, and other adverse and unpleasant conditions. This position requires six (6) to seven (7) hours of field work daily. This position requires daily in-office and/or field work and reports directly to the Environmental Manager – SES.

Water Well Construction Permitting: Performs site inspections of well permit applications. Inputs well application information into Southwest Florida Water Management District's database. Conducts well construction grouting inspections as required by Sarasota County Well Drilling Ordinance and Florida Administrative Code. Conducts water well surveys and secures bacteriological samples if necessary and participates in the interpretation of the results to determine conformance with regulations or the existence of hazards to the public. Identifies and secures the plugging of abandoned wells. Meets with engineers, property owners, well drillers and developers to evaluate and recommend design changes that will provide better protection against contamination of ground water aquifers. Coordinates with field personnel of the Southwest Florida Water Management District on all matters relating to the quality of water improvement program, including evaluation of logging, provision of specifications and inspection and sampling during actual plugging operations. Evaluates central water connection data to determine status of former domestic wells. Contacts owners and performs site visits as necessary to ensure compliance with regulations. Acts as source of information regarding private wells to contractors, professional engineers and the public. Conducts field investigations of proposed private water supply well sites and locates sources of existing or potential pollution or contamination. Receives water-related complaints from the public and conducts field investigations. Determines action to be taken where bacteriological or chemical contamination is found. Secures bacteriological and chemical water samples for laboratory analyses and evaluates laboratory tests and recommends corrective actions. Prepares certified letters, prepares code enforcement and special master's documents. Prepares reports of activities for immediate supervisor. Attends section staff meetings. Attends quarterly meetings by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and other meetings when necessary. Performs related work as required.

General Environmental Health Program Support: Provides field and staff support for all environmental health programs, including but not limited to: Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Areas; Healthy Beaches Program, Super-ACT, Mobile Home Parks Sanitation, Sanitary Nuisance Complaints, Biomedical Waste, and other DOH-Sarasota regulated facilities. Initiates and coordinates enforcement procedures related to assigned duties as required.

Sanitary and Environmental Nuisance Complaint Investigations: Investigate reports of sanitary nuisance complaints. Follow-up and assure corrective action have been taken or take necessary legal action in accordance with Florida Statute Chapter 386.

Other Duties: As assigned including providing support for all Environmental Health programs as assigned by Environmental Health Director/Designee.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of Environmental Health Programs, Administrative Code, and County Ordinances Customer service skills Operate basic office equipment, software platforms, and computer skills including Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, and TEAMS Written and oral communication skills

Qualifications: Minimum – Valid driver's license Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in environmental health, public health, environmental science, or physical or biological science with at least 30 credit hours in physical or natural sciences, college-level mathematics, or statistics and at least two years' experience working in environmental health. (required per Florida Statute, Chapter 381) Obtain/Maintain Certification as an Environmental Health Professional within 6 months of the probationary period. Preferred – Certified in Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems