OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Requisition No: 845751

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64858389

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64858389

Salary: $22.00/ hour

Posting Closing Date: 02/16/2025

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OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB POSTING

PENDING VACANCY

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position works within the Environmental Public Health Section (EPH) of the Okaloosa County Health Department (OCHD). This is a professional environmental health position required to perform tasks including: application and project reviews; site inspections and surveys; project evaluations and sanitary nuisance investigations and assessments; environmental sample collection; data entry and analysis and report writing. This position performs duties in accordance with Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, EH Manual 150-4, and internal OCHD Standard Operating Procedures. This is a highly responsible position with being the subject matter expert in the mobile home park and tanning program areas.

As a certified food hygiene program inspector position, performs routine inspections in the Food Hygiene program. Consults with facility operators and owners to ensure compliance with 64E-11 Florida Administrative Code (FAC), Chapter 381 Florida Statutes and FDA Food Code 2013. Performs other regulatory duties such as re-inspections, complaint inspections, basic plan review, construction inspections, and preparation of documentation for enforcement action. This position will serve as a basic resource of information for Food facilities and assist the other Environmental Specialists with food trainings. This position will perform data entry of information gathered during regulatory work into EHDMA/EHD and other local spreadsheets and databases.

As a certified pool operator, performs routine inspections and other basic regulatory activities of public swimming pools, spas, wading pools, special purpose pools, water activity pools, and recreational attraction pools. Consults with facility operators and owners to ensure compliance with 64E-9 Florida Administrative Code and Chapter 381 & Chapter 514 Florida Statutes. Performs other regulatory duties such as re-inspections, complaint inspections, closure inspections, and preparation of documentation for enforcement action. This position will serve as a basic resource of information for swimming pools and spas and assist with swimming pool and spa trainings and engineering inspections. This position will perform data entry of information gathered during regulatory work into EHDMA/EHD and other local spreadsheets and databases.

This position will serve as a subject matter expert in the Mobile Home Park program, from consultations with customers to training of other inspectors. Updates and information must be relayed to all certified inspectors via email or in-person in a timely manner. Independently conducts routine inspections in the Mobile Home and RV Park program. Consults with park operators and owners to ensure compliance with 64E-15 Florida Administrative Code. Performs other regulatory duties such as re-inspections, complaint inspections, basic plan review, construction inspections, and preparation of documentation for enforcement action. This position will serve as a basic resource of information for Mobile Home and RV parks and will perform data entry of information gathered during regulatory work into EHDMA/EHD and other local spreadsheets and databases. This person will be the lead inspector for the mobile home parks.

Independently conducts routine inspections in the Group Care program. Consults with facility operators and owners to ensure compliance with 64E-12, 65C-13, and 65C-22 Florida Administrative Codes. Performs other regulatory duties such as re-inspections, complaint inspections, basic plan review, construction inspections, and preparation of documentation for enforcement action. Examples of group care facilities include public and private schools, health care, adult care, and other residential facilities. This position will serve as a basic resource of information for Group Care facilities and perform data entry of information gathered during regulatory work into EHDMA/EHD and other local spreadsheets and databases. This position will assist the other Environmental Specialists with food and waterborne investigations.

Independently investigates sanitary nuisance complaints and prepares reports, legal notices, and other documents relating to environmental health issues. Initiates enforcement actions by drafting non-compliance letters, warning letters, and assists with other enforcement actions. Prepares documentation such as letters, pictures, and reports for submission to the EPH manager. Enter all case information into EHDMA/EHD and other local spreadsheets and databases.

This position will serve as a subject matter expert in the Tanning Program, from consultations with customers to training of other inspectors. Updates and information must be relayed to all certified inspectors via email or in-person in a timely manner. In the tanning facilities program performs routine, re-inspection, construction, change of owner, complaint, consultation, and other inspections to evaluate and ensure the safe and sanitary operation of tanning facilities. Will issue field stop use order pursuant to Chapter 120.54 Florida Statutes. Maintains a professional working knowledge of 64E-17 Florida Administrative Code. This person will be the lead inspector for the tanning program.

Performs Animal Bite investigations (Rabies Program) to include investigation of all bites received, Victim and Owner contact, establishment and release of animal quarantines in a timely fashion as dictated by the local OCHD Rabies Standard Operating Guidelines, the current State of Florida Rabies Guidebook, and 64D-3, FAC. Thorough and accurate completion of all related paperwork and documentation involved in the animal bite investigation process. Cooperative work in conjunction with the animal control agencies and veterinary offices in Okaloosa County. Assist in media notification, in conjunction with the OCHD Public Information Office (PIO), as needed. Maintenance of all related files and HIPPA requirements for confidential documents. Provide educational trainings to local animal control, hospitals, clinics, and other community partners. This position will coordinate with other EPH staff to conduct initial and final quarantine inspections in a manner that makes the best use of EPH resources. Provide training to new EPH staff. Performs data entry into MERLIN and coordinate with the DOH State Lab for testing. Promotes rabies prevention in Okaloosa County through involvement in community events and establishing community partnerships and relationships.

Performs duties in the Well Surveillance Program and Limited Use Well Program.

Performs all other duties as assigned in support of the Agency’s mission and vision.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to appropriately interact and communicate orally and verbally with the public.
• Ability to reduce complex rules to understandable terms.
• Ability to take the knowledge learned from past experiences to resolve unique problems.
• Broad knowledge of biological, chemical, and environmental concepts and resulting impacts and/or threats to public health.
• Ability to lift 50-80 pounds. A lifting hook will be provided to assist.
• Ability to work outdoors regularly.

Qualifications:

• Must maintain a valid U.S. drivers licence
• Must become certified as a Food Inspector (CEHP) with 6 months of employment. Must attain a Certified Pool Operator status within 10 months.
• Bachelor’s degree in public health, environmental science/health or a physical or biological science. Major coursework must have at least 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of coursework in science.

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 in Okaloosa County – Fort Walton Beach, FL

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements. Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• 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) in order 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.