ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64028394

Florida Department of Transportation; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Department of Health in Lee County seeks an Environmental Specialist I to conduct inspections in public health programs including pools, food safety, biomedical waste, and group care. The role involves collecting samples, enforcing regulations, and pursuing compliance actions as needed.

The position requires a degree in physical or natural sciences or engineering, and the ability to obtain a Food Hygiene certification within six months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a physical or natural science or engineering (or Master's in same).
• Currently certified in Food Hygiene or able to obtain within six months of hire.
• Possess a valid driver's license and own vehicle to perform duties.

Responsibilities

• Inspect facilities in Public Swimming Pool, Food Safety & Sanitation, Biomedical Waste, Group Care, Mobile Home/RV Park programs and related assignments.
• Perform inspections and nuisance complaint investigations; initiate compliance actions as needed.
• Enter Daily Activity Reports and attend mandatory training; report to Environmental Supervisor I.

Skills

Field inspections

Environmental health principles

Verbal and written communication

Certified Food Hygiene inspector

Driver's license

Office procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical or natural sciences or engineering

Tools

Environmental Health Database (EHD)

EHD Mobile App

Hosted Fax

Job description

Requisition No: 879167

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64028394

*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 Art – Body Piercing & Tattooing, Food Safety and Sanitation, Group Care, Migrant Farmworker Housing, Mobile Home/RV Parks, Public Swimming Pools, and Tanning.

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.

Food Safety & Sanitation Program: Inspect food service establishments, educate the operators, and enforce the public health requirements to ensure that facilities under the Department’s jurisdiction safely prepare and serve food to the public per Ch. 64E-11 F.A.C and Ch. 381.0072 F.S. Earn the CEHP in Food Protection within 6 months of hire; become standardized in Ch. 64 E-11 F.A.C. by the Food Hygiene Coordinator; and complete the required contact hours for the CEHP license every 2 years.

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. Successfully complete Bureau approved training annually.

Group Care Program: Regulate and enforce the laws and rules pertaining to sanitation, control of communicable diseases, protection, and safety of the public's health, and to prevent accidents and injuries from occurring in residential and non‑residential FDOH facilities per Ch. 381.006(6) and (16) F.S.; Ch. 64E-12 F.A.C.; Ch. 64C-14 F.A.C.; Ch. 6A-2.004 F.A.C.; and Florida Building Code.

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-15 F.A.C.

Perform inspections and nuisance complaint investigations, and initiate compliance and enforcement actions when appropriate for assigned facilities and locations. This position may be required to present expert witness testimony and represent the Department on legal proceedings involving non‑compliant persons or facilities within Lee County. Keep supervisor apprised of unusual activities or non‑compliance issues.

Enter Daily Activity Reports daily and submit time sheets as required. Attend DOH mandatory training prior to assigned deadlines.

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, pool test kit, food thermometers, and other equipment as deemed necessary to perform facility inspections.
• Ability to become a Certified Food Hygiene inspector or a Registered Sanitarian and maintain certification.
• 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

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering; or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering.
• Currently certified in Food Hygiene or have the ability to obtain a Professional Certification in Food Hygiene within six months of hire.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and have a motor vehicle to perform duties.

Where You Will Work

Fort Myers

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

• 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 );

Additional Requirements and Statements

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.

To be hired you must 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.

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: FT MYERS, FL, US, 33901

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.