ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

Environmental Specialist III - 64085279

This is an Environmental Specialist III position conducting a variety of regulatory environmental health and safety inspections to ensure compliance with state and local laws, and makes recommendations on the issuance of permits, licenses, or approvals. Work is performed under the supervision of an Environmental Manager - SES. This position is responsible for conducting a variety of regulatory and educational tasks in core Environmental Health areas of Food Safety, Group Care, Mobile Home/Recreational Vehicle Parks, Migrant Labor Housing, and Sanitary Nuisances in accordance with Section 381.006, Florida Statutes.

This position requires independent judgment, initiative, applying general knowledge of business practices and skill in applying instructions to accomplish various job functions. This position is designated as a sensitive position and is required to maintain confidential information in accordance with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Palm Beach County Health Department (CHD) Information Security Policy, Protocols and Procedures.

Confidential Information sets include: Clinical Information Data. Access to the Environmental Health Data Set for food borne illness investigations. Health Management System (HMS) to Daily Activity Report (DAR) entry only. Enters and updates data in Environmental Health Database (EHD) including data relating to inspections, complaints and complaint investigations, operating permits, and billing information. May view, update, and release information as needed.

Performs regulatory inspections of public schools, private schools, assisted living facilities, and other residential group care facilities, migrant labor camps, residential migrant housing, mobile home parks and recreational vehicle parks. Performs inspections of food service operations located at FDOH-regulated facilities and other food service operations as required by Florida Statutes and local laws or ordinances. Conducts follow-up inspections. Investigates complaints of foodborne illnesses, completes related documentation, makes appropriate referrals, and conducts required follow-up activities in accordance with Department policies and procedures. Investigates sanitary nuisance complaints in accordance with Chapter 386, Florida Statutes, recommends and enforces appropriate corrective actions, and makes appropriate referrals to relevant agencies.

Investigate complaints of non-compliance regarding FDOH-regulated facilities, enforces or recommends appropriate corrective actions, or makes appropriate referrals to relevant agencies. Investigates allegations of unlicensed or unapproved facility operations, monitors the facility status following initial investigation, and initiates appropriate enforcement actions, or referrals to relevant agencies. Document all findings from inspections or investigations clearly, concisely, and in sufficient detail to fully support all conclusions, recommendations, required corrective actions, and enforcement actions. Provide clear and concise oral or written information to responsible parties regarding the results of investigations or inspections. Accurately document and update data, and generate inspection reports, notices, and other documents in field settings. Collects data electronically in the field, and ensures timely updates to the main databases, as required. Collects water and food samples as required.

Perform activities related to Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health (PACE EH) to meet applicable strategic goals and objectives, including but not limited to, meeting and engaging community leaders and citizens at all levels, making presentations to professional and community groups, planning meetings and community events, and writing detailed reports and analysis of program activities and progress reports. Meets with property owners, facility operators, engineers, architects, planners, and prospective applicants or their representatives to provide consultation on the design and operation of facilities and resolution of environmental health and safety issues. Coordinates activities with federal, State, and local agencies. Reviews license applications. Reviews and approves plans for food service establishments, mobile home parks, residential migrant housing, migrant labor camps and other facilities. Reads, evaluates, and interprets blueprints, diagrams, sketches, maps and aerial photos involving regulated facilities or properties under investigation. Verifies availability of approved water and sewer services for regulated facilities. Recommends issuance or denial of licenses, permits, or approvals of regulated facilities based on review of the facility's level of compliance with all applicable standards or requirements. Organizes and maintains files, reports, and other related documents. Documents possible causes and remedies. Schedules and conducts follow-up inspections. Initiates and conducts enforcement actions and special investigations in a timely manner in keeping with applicable Department or Program standards. Organizes, maintains records and other documents for enforcement activities. Drafts appropriate correspondence, reports and other documents regarding environmental health problems to facilitate compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Participates at conferences, hearings, and court appearances. Testifies at administrative hearings or court appearances as expert witness related to enforcement actions initiated. Provides accrual oral and written information to responsible parties regarding the results of investigations or inspections. Operates as a senior environmental specialist, and assists supervisors, managers, and the Food Hygiene Coordinator in providing technical support and training to new or inexperienced inspectors. Handle issues related to permitting, investigations, inspections and enforcement activities. Organizes, develops, promotes, and conducts workshops and in-depth consultations to educate owners, managers, operators, or consumers of licensing requirements and issues involved in operating a safe and healthy environment. Provide information to the public, builders, owners and public officials and civic groups concerning disease prevention and environmental health regulations. Interprets and explains the significance and application of public health laws and regulations.

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position: Ability to investigate environmental health issues and conducts environmental health assessments. Ability to document all findings from inspections or investigations clearly and concisely, and in sufficient detail to fully support all conclusions, recommendations, required corrective actions and enforcement actions. Ability to collect data electronically in the field, and ensures timely updates to the main databases, as required. Ability to collect water and food samples as required. Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences. Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures. Ability to perform site inspections, collect or evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific or technical data. Ability to prepare technical reports. Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to environmental programs. Ability understand and follow legislative policy direction as established in Florida Statutes. Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner. Ability to work independently. Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to utilize problem solving techniques. Ability to use personal computers. Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, and ensure proper completion of work assignments. Ability to make decisions.

Qualifications: Licensure/registration/certification requirements (If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite): The position requires certification as an environmental health professional (CEHP) in the area of Food Hygiene. The certification requirements are in accordance with Chapter 381.0101 F.S. requires environmental health professional certification to perform work in the food protection program within six (6) months after employment, and thereafter, maintain this certification while employed in the food protection program. Position is required to obtain certification in child care, large family child care, and family child care programs. The educational requirements as per Florida Statutes state "applicants for certification shall have graduated from an accredited 4-year college or university with a degree or major coursework in public health, environmental health, environmental science, or a physical or biological science". The educational requirements as per the Florida Administrative Code states "applicants beginning work in a primary area of environmental health on or after September 21, 1994, must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, environmental science, or a physical or a biological science. Major course work is no less than 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of class work.

Other job-related requirements for this position: Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural. Valid Driver's License. Hard hat and steel-toe safety boots are required for this position. Must maintain certification under the Onsite Sewage and Disposal Program.

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00AM to 5:00PM (B) Total hours in work-week 40 (C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.) This position requires daily in-office or field work.

Where You Will Work: 800 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401