ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST - 64045196

Florida; Sebring (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual and Sick Leave benefits

Nine paid holidays and one Personal /

State Group Insurance options

Retirement plan options

Job summary

Florida Department of Health – Highlands County is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist to perform inspections, permit processing, and enforcement actions in Sebring, FL. The role involves field work, data documentation, and collaboration with engineers and public officials.

The incumbent must lift 40+ pounds, work outdoors, and communicate findings clearly. This position emphasizes timely compliance with state codes and health statutes in a multi-program environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Incumbent must be able to lift 40 or more pounds.
• Incumbents must be able to work outdoors for most of the day.

Responsibilities

• Process annual permits and conduct inspections to ensure compliance with Florida Admin Code and Statutes.
• Conduct pre-licensure inspections, routine inspections, re-inspections and complaint investigations.
• Document investigations and casework and initiate enforcement when needed.

Skills

Observation skills

Math skills

Field work

Report writing

Communication

Independent work

Computer skills

Team coordination

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST - 64045196

Date: Oct 19, 2026

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website .

Requisition No:885602

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST - 64045196

• The incumbent is expected to process annual permits, conduct pre-licensure inspections, conduct initial sanitary surveys, routine inspections, re-inspections, complaint investigations, environmental assessments, and required enforcement actions in a timely manner in order to ensure compliance with Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64E-14 and Florida Statutes Chapters 381 and 386.
• Assists with the process of annual permits and routine inspections, complaint investigations, and required enforcement of other Environmental Health programs, such as Migrant Housing, Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places, Mobile Home & RV Parks, and Group Care in a times manner, to ensure they are in compliance with applicable Florida Administrative Codes and Florida Statues 381 and 386.
• The incumbent must be able to confer with engineers, public officials, and community leaders. When a violation of Administrative Codes or threats to public health is identified, this position initiates and then uses progressive legal enforcement to seek corrections. Incumbent must be able to provide appropriate documentation of these investigations and case work.

Knowledge, Skills, and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

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.

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 general public, and community partners.
• Ability to lift items up to 40 pounds or use tools to move those items. 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.
• Lead People: motivate, provide constructive feedback, positive recognition, and organize activities to improve 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: working 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 : accommodating 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: develop new insights into situations and apply innovative solutions to make organizational improvements; design and implement 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.
• Interpersonal Skills : show understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, cooperation, concern, and politeness to others, relate 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, and input of data into data base in a timely manner.
• Emergency Duty: Incumbent may be required to work before, during, and/or beyond normal wok hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelter, 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.

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or Equivalent.

Incumbent must be able to lift 40 or more pounds.

Incumbents must be able to work outdoors for most of the day.

Other job-related requirements for this position:

Emergency Duty: 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 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.

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 theHealthiestState in the Nation.

Values:

I novation: 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

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.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

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.

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.

Location:

SEBRING, FL, US, 33875

Nearest Major Market: Central Florida
Nearest Secondary Market: Sebring

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.