ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 42005973 1

Florida; Big Pine Key (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking an Environmental Specialist III to conduct regulatory inspections of food establishments and ensure compliance with state statutes and rules. The role uses science-based knowledge to evaluate sanitation, processing methods, and equipment within age-restricted food operations and similar facilities.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent plus relevant experience in environmental protection, regulation,

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of regulatory inspections of food establishments and environmental health regulations.
• Experience with sanitation standards and consumer protection laws.
• Ability to interpret statutes and enforce compliance in a regulatory setting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regulatory inspections of food establishments for compliance with Florida laws and rules.
• Assess processing methods, sanitation and equipment to ensure safe food handling.
• Prepare documentation, issue notices, and coordinate enforcement actions as required.

Skills

Regulatory inspections

Public health

Environmental protection

Job description

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 42005973 1

Date: Oct 27, 2026

Requisition No:886504

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 42005973 1

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF FOOD SAFETY

BUREAU OF AGE-RESTRICTED FOODS

***OPEN COMPETITIVE APPORTUNITY***

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

A high school diploma or its equivalent and two (2) years of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; or engineering; or

A high school diploma or its equivalent and one and a half (1.5) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college and six (6) months of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; or engineering.

Requires possession of a valid driver license.

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Employees appointed to positions involved in food establishment inspections under authority of Chapter 500, Florida Statutes, must pass and maintain the training and certification required by Rule 5K-4.021, Florida Administrative Code, within 12 months of appointment.

This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of s.112.313, F.S., and Section 60L – 36.003, Florida Administrative Code.

Must reside in required areas as specified in Division Policy A-10.

Occasional travel required.

Some tasks will require evening, weekend and/or holiday activity, including overnight and/or extended travel.

NOTE(S)

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Selected applicants for positions within the Division of Food Safety are normally hired at the base salary.

JOB DUTIES

Responsible for conducting regulatory inspections of food establishments including, but not limited to, establishments engaged in manufacturing, processing, packing, holding, or preparing Age-Restricted Foods at wholesale or retail, including Age-Restricted Foods that require a Special Process Approval at retail, for compliance with regulatory, sanitation and consumer protection requirements pursuant to section 581.217, Chapter 500, Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code. Utilizes science-based knowledge to determine compliance with regulations.

Responsible for conducting regulatory inspections of food establishments under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) as set forth Chapter 500, 502, or 583 Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code, for compliance with regulatory, sanitation and consumer protection requirements. Utilizes a risk-based approach to evaluate processing methods, production controls, equipment design, structural design and maintenance, and personnel practices to assure that foods for human consumption are safe and prepared, packed, distributed and stored under sanitary conditions. Performs initial inspections on food establishments, evaluating and assessing the food processes and activities conducted to determine the requirements for the specific business. Utilizes science-based knowledge to determine compliance with environmental and sanitation regulations for processes. Performs joint inspections/investigations with FDA and other federal, state and local agencies as appropriate.

Responsible for other inspection functions including, but not limited to: preparing reports to document regulatory deficiencies, interprets and explains significance of public health laws, rules and sanitation and safety standards to food establishment personnel, advising management of the necessary corrective action as part of each inspection. Initiates stop sale orders, stop use orders, destruction reports, release notices, and movement of goods under stop sale orders when indicated by inspection findings; investigation of consumer complaints; follow-up reporting; food- borne illness investigations; information requests from consumers; initial inspections for new businesses; special inspections of fire or flood damaged food establishments; inspection of Age-Restricted Foods and traditional foods in vehicles involved in accidents; disaster surveillance; and other tasks as may be designated by the bureau or district supervisor. Independently exercises professional judgment and institutes appropriate enforcement actions while discharging his or her responsibilities. Uses effective judgement, knowledge of statutes and rules involved, and awareness of legal implications for compliance with regulations, sanitation, cleanliness, labeling and other food safety regulations and related requirements. Provides testimony, documentation and/or affidavits to support administrative, regulatory, civil and criminal action as required.

Responsible for inspection and sampling of Age-Restricted Foods for compliance with statute and rule. Conducts inspections and takes enforcement action based on the results of laboratory testing. Related tasks include, but are not limited to, the review of Age-Restricted Food labels for mislabeling, misrepresentation and inclusion of mandatory consumer information, evaluation of advertising, selection of food samples for laboratory analysis, and investigation and collection of Age-Restricted Foods and environmental samples when circumstances indicate possible food adulteration or other violations of the law. Responsible for the operation, calibration and maintenance of inspection test equipment including, but not limited to, thermometers, sanitizer test kits, ph meters, and associated equipment.

Administrative functions include the preparation and timely submission of accurate and complete inspection reports, sample collection reports daily activity reports, travel vouchers, expense vouchers, supply requisitions and other documents as may be required. Responsible for attending training sessions and courses as designated. Responsible at all times for following department policies and procedures and conducting official duties in a professional manner as a representative of FDACS. Performs other related duties as may be assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the age-restricted/psychotropic food and product markets, products being sold on those markets, terminology used to market these products, chemistry of these products, and the legal basis behind enforcing the sale and distribution of these products.
• Skills necessary for the position include chemical research, internet searching, computer usage (including hardware and software).
• Ability to communicate complex scientific issues to non-scientific personnel, meet deadlines, keep management apprised of relevant issues without prompting, work independently (and accurately), manage time, and be a team player.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to use technical critical thinking skills.
• Maintain knowledge in pathogenic microbial organisms associated with food-borne disease.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to interpret rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of program goals, strategies, policies and procedures of the department.
• Skill in completing and maintaining accurate records.
• Maintains a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the electronic inspection system.

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 visit www.myfrs.com ;)

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the "Total Compensation Estimator Tool" located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”

SPECIAL NOTES

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

BIG PINE KEY, FL, US, 33043
MIAMI, FL, US, 33161
MIAMI, FL, US, 33142
MIAMI, FL, US, 33181
NORTH MIAMI, FL, US, 33161
MIAMI, FL, US, 33150
MIAMI, FL, US, 33138
DORAL, FL, US, 33166
MIAMI, FL, US, 33183
MIAMI, FL, US, 33175
HIALEAH GARDENS, FL, US, 33018
TAVERNIER, FL, US, 33070
MIAMI, FL, US, 33155
MIAMI, FL, US, 33178
MIAMI, FL, US, 33131
MIAMI, FL, US, 33186
MIAMI, FL, US, 33165
CORAL GABLES, FL, US, 33156
MIAMI, FL, US, 33176
MIAMI GARDENS, FL, US, 33056
SURFSIDE, FL, US, 33154
NARANJA, FL, US, 33032
HOMESTEAD, FL, US, 33032
MIAMI, FL, US, 33256
MIAMI, FL, US, 33147
MIAMI, FL, US, 33055
MIAMI, FL, US, 33130
MIAMI LAKES, FL, US, 33016
DORAL, FL, US, 33126
MIAMI, FL, US, 33169
HOMESTEAD, FL, US, 33030
ISLAMORADA, FL, US, 33036
MIAMI, FL, US, 33160
MIAMI BEACH, FL, US, 33139
MIAMI, FL, US, 33135
GOULDS, FL, US, 33170
MIAMI, FL, US, 33184
MIAMI, FL, US, 33172
KEY LARGO, FL, US, 33037
MIAMI GARDENS, FL, US, 33169
MIAMI, FL, US, 33132
MIAMI, FL, US, 33122
MIAMI, FL, US, 33134
KEY BISCAYNE, FL, US, 33149
MIAMI, FL, US, 33283
MIAMI, FL, US, 33137
KEY WEST, FL, US, 33041
MIAMI, FL, US, 33136
FLORIDA CITY, FL, US, 33034
HIALEAH, FL, US, 33015
MIAMI, FL, US, 33166
CORAL GABLES, FL, US, 33186
MARATHON, FL, US, 33050
SOUTH MIAMI, FL, US, 33143
HIALEAH, FL, US, 33016
HIALEAH, FL, US, 33012
MIAMI, FL, US, 33174
MIAMI BEACH, FL, US, 33162
NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL, US, 33160
MIAMI, FL, US, 33194
MIAMI, FL, US, 33126
MIAMI, FL, US, 33101
MIAMI, FL, US, 33189
MIAMI, FL, US, 33144
MIAMI, FL, US, 33145
MIAMI, FL, US, 33177
MIAMI, FL, US, 33128
MIAMI, FL, US, 33162
MIAMI BEACH, FL, US, 33141
MIAMI, FL, US, 33157
MIAMI, FL, US, 33125
MIAMI, FL, US, 33173
NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL, US, 33179
HIALEAH, FL, US, 33010
MIAMI, FL, US, 33199
KEY WEST, FL, US, 33040
OPA LOCKA, FL, US, 33054
MIAMI, FL, US, 33127

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.