ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

Environmental Specialist I - 64002619

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 piercing, tattooing, migrant farmworker housing, mobile home/RV parks, public swimming pools, tanning, onsite sewage treatment and disposal system (OSTDS), limited use and private drinking water programs.

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.
• 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.
• 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-16 F.A.C.
• Migrant Farmworker Housing Program: Regulate and enforce the laws and rules that protect the health and well-being of workers participating in migrant farmwork. To reduce the risk of farm workers contracting communicable disease or sustaining an injury per Ch. 381.008-381.00897 F.S., Ch. 64E-14 F.A.C., & 1910.142 OSHA
• Tattoo Program: Regulate and enforce infection control practices & sterilization techniques to prevent disease and injury in tattoo facilities. Ensure compliance with Ch. 381.00771 -381.00791; F.S.; 64E-28 F.A.C.
• Body Piercing Program: Regulate and enforce infection control practices & sterilization techniques to prevent disease and injury in body piercing facilities. Ensure compliance with Ch.381.0075 F.S.; 64E-19 F.A.C.
• Tanning: Regulate and enforce the functionality and maintenance of UV tanning devices and ensure safe practices by owners and patrons to reduce risk of disease and injury. Ensure compliance with Ch. 381.89 F.S., Sec. 1040.20 F.D.A., 64E-17 F.A.C.
• Drinking Water Program: Conduct compliance bacteriological sampling from public and private water systems to ensure water is bacteriologically, chemically and radiologically safe per Ch. 62-550 F.A.C and 62-555 F.A.C. and National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) standards.
• Healthy Beaches Program: Conduct sampling of coastal and intercoastal waters for indicators of human and animal pathogens. Post health advisory signage when bacteria levels are exceeded per Ch. 514.011(4) & Ch. 514.023 F.S.
• OSTDS Program: Perform state inspections, complete enforcement for noncompliance & conducts quality assurance to oversee the functionality and enforcement of assigned program requirements. Conduct abandonment inspections to confirm septic systems are properly taken out of service. Initiates notices for delinquent properties and initiates and assures enforcement policy is followed to compliance for violators. Ch 62-6 F.A.C

The specialist is required to perform data entry of permit, inspection, and enforcement information into the Environmental Health Database (EHD) as needed. Enter Daily Activity Reports daily and submit time sheets as required and in time frames specified. Attend DOH mandatory training prior to assigned deadlines and respond to Everbridge Emergency alerts within 60 minutes. 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, shovel, auger, probes, laser level, and other equipment as deemed necessary to perform OSTDS inspections
• 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:

• Possess a valid driver's license and have a motor vehicle to perform duties.
• Ability to lift & carry up to 50 pounds as needed

Where You Will Work: Fort Myers