ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Requisition No: 847858

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64086128

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64086128

Salary: $38,000 - $40,000

Posting Closing Date: 03/15/2025

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The incumbent, an Environmental Specialist II, is an employee of the Florida Department of Health in Highlands County (DOH Highlands). The Environmental Specialist II is expected to work relatively independently, but under the supervision of the Environmental Manager-SES, in accordance with inspection standards and timeframes mandated by the agency. The incumbent conducts advanced Environmental Health Program inspections, investigations, and enforcement of Environmental Health programs assigned, to ensure that minimum requirements of the Florida Administrative Codes are maintained. The incumbent in this position will be required to confer with and/or educate both the public and private sector with respect to long-range public health matters and disease control for the good of the community. This position will be required to confer with engineers, public officials, and community leaders. When violations of Administrative Codes or threats to public health are identified, this position initiates and then uses progressive legal enforcement to seek corrective action. Appropriate documentation of investigative and case work is essential, as well as the use of the various databases.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Perform necessary site evaluations, review plans, and approve the issuance of new construction and repair permits in a timely manner in accordance with the Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems, Florida Administrative Code (FAC). Provide advice to homeowners and builders on Florida Statues (F.S.) and FAC permitting.

Mobile Home Parks, Recreational Vehicle Parks, and Migrant Farm Labor Camps: Perform routine inspections and review plans and applications for operating permits to determine compliance with F.S. and FAC.

Food Service Establishments: Perform inspections of Department of Health (DOH) regulated food service facilities to assure compliance with FAC. Review plans and make recommendations for new and remodeled establishments to ensure compliance with F.S. and FAC.

Swimming Pools & Bathing Places: Perform routine inspections and review plans and applications for operating and permits to determine compliance with F.S. and FAC. Collect water samples for bacteriological analysis as needed.

Biomedical Waste Facilities: Perform routine inspections and review plans and applications for operating and permits to determine compliance with F.S. and FAC.

School Facilities: Perform inspections of all public and private schools including food service operations to assure compliance with F.S. and FAC.

Nuisance Complaint Investigations: Investigate reports of sanitary nuisance complaints. Follow-up and assure corrective action have been taken or take necessary legal action.

Body Art: Perform routine inspections and review plans and applications for operating and permits to determine compliance with F.S. and FAC.

Super Act and Well Surveillance Program: Performs routine inspections and review plans and applications for operating permits for public water systems to determine compliance with F.S. and FAC. Coordinate and collect drinking water samples in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection and DOH-Bureau of Toxicology for groundwater chemical contamination. Assist all agencies and the public in remediation of contaminated wells.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Environmental Health Programs and standards, Florida Administrative Codes and Florida Statues related to the duties of this position.

Skills: use of equipment and supplies related to the position. Incumbent must be able to lift 40 or more pounds. Incumbent must be able to work outdoors for most of the day.

Ability to:

• Ability to make observations, take measurements, and relate same to standards in order to identify deviations
• Ability to perform mathematical functions
• Ability to reach duty sites as scheduled, perform field work, write reports, and prepare legal notices when necessary
• Ability to coordinate work activities, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with multi-cultural clients, co-workers, and supervisors
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to perform computer skills as required by the position held
• Ability to prepare and present information to clients, the public and community partners.
• Lead People: motivate, provide constructive feedback, positive recognition, and organize activities to improve the team skills and performance
• Manage Processes: integrate and effectively utilize all components of the strategic planning process to help DOH Highlands achieve its vision. Appropriately assesses and allocates resources (financial, human, equipment, and supplies) develop, implement, and evaluate business plans
• Human relations: work with others in a professional, considerate, and helpful manner, projects a positive image of DOH Highlands staff
• Initiative: be self-confident, motivated, and enthusiastic drive to perform current job duties and undertake duties of greater responsibility
• Responsive to Direction: take and give direction; accept and deliver constructive criticism and respond and implement suggestions for improvement
• Flexibility: accommodate changing situations or plans for satisfactory performance of the job. Able to change easily from one task to another
• Technology: navigate the Internet, use office suite and assorted software, and use of technology equipment
• Communication (Oral &Written): takes the initiative to communicate accurate, up-to-date plans and information to subordinates, peers, and management. Expresses thoughts clearly, both verbally and in writing. Listens and understands the views of others
• Creative Thinking: develops new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to make organizational improvements; designs and implements new or cutting-edge programs/processes
• Team Building: inspires, motivates, and guides others toward goal accomplishments. Consistently develops and sustains cooperative working relationships. Encourages and facilitates cooperation within the organization and with customer groups, fosters commitment, team spirit, pride trust. develops leadership in others through coaching, mentoring, rewarding and guiding employees
• Interpersonal Skills: shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, cooperation, concern, and politeness to others, relates well to different people from varied backgrounds and different situations
• Customer Service: works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work produces including the public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provides information or assistance, resolve their problems or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing excellence in products and services
• Time Management: manages a variety of responsibilities in a timely, efficient manner and can prioritize tasks, input of data into data base in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

Licensure/registration/certification requirements (If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite): FDOH Bureau of Environmental Heath certification in Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal and Food Protection or RS status. Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire. Incumbent must possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited college or university with 30 credit hours in a related science field. (Environmental Health, Environmental Science or a Physical or Biological Science) required.

Other job-related requirements for this position: Education: This position requires a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, with 30 credit hours of science courses reviewed and approved by the FDOH Facility Program Section, as needed. Incumbent will be required to become certified in Food Hygiene and the Onsite Treatment and Disposal Systems program within 6 months of employment.

Emergency Duty: Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or day in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross 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.

Use of equipment, supplies, technology related to the position. May be required to lift items up to 40 pounds or use tools to move those items.

Weather and other Environmental Conditions: May be required to work outside in all types of weather extremes, both hot and cold, or in wet conditions caused by rains or other water-related events.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Florida Department of Health – Highlands County

7205 S George Blvd

Sebring, FL 33875

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions.

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com).

• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Tuition waivers.
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9, and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287).

Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans, and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.