ENGINEERING SPECIALIST III - 64002457

State of Florida • Miami Gardens, FL

11d • $58,000 - $61,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This is professional work involving the prevention of environmentally related disease and safety concerns by the review of on-site individual sewage disposal systems. The incumbent in this position conducts engineering reviews of applications for new and/or changes to existing and repairs to on-site disposal systems and monitor compliance requirements of all aerobic treatment units and performance-based treatment systems. Specific duties and responsibilities are as follows: The incumbent of this position serves as a lead worker and acts on behalf of the unit supervisor as needed.

Reviews applications for construction permits to install, change or repair on-site sewage disposal systems. Reviews plans and site evaluations for systems and ensures that proposals meet all requirements of Chapters 381, 386.01, 489 Florida Statutes and 62-6, Florida Administrative Code. Establishes and sets minimum system criteria, including, but not limited to receptacle, pump tank capacity, drain field size and elevation of the invert of the drain field in feet, above Mean Sea Level. Issues letters of denial to system proposals failing to meet requirements and advises clients on their right to a variance-hearing request. Issues construction permits to proposals meeting requirements.

Review applications, plans and supporting documents and issue and / or deny permits for OSTDS new, existing, repairs, abandonments including well construction applications and permits. Review Annual Operating Permits (AOPs) documents and issue AOPs timely and accurately for clients. Review and comment on the county plat applications and share comments with the Environmental Administrator for review and approval. Prepare Variance applications and follow them up timely and appropriately with FDEP staff and clients. Investigate and document sanitary nuisance and contractor complaints as per FDEP enforcement process timely and accurately. Provide technical support as a senior engineer to the rest of the plan reviewers and inspectors including administrative staff and clients. Coordinate staff assignments with rest of the team including inspections, plans /applications reviews, AOPs, well construction applications and permits. Answers clients’ and dept staff inquiries via state approved communication methods including state issued phone, texting, email, etc. Reply to those inquiries must be made timely so our clients and staff receive adequate service levels. Ensure program functions and staff are ready, prepared, and available for annual program evaluations. Serves as a subject matter expert and a local consultant and mentor to the program staff and clients in the areas of engineering plans reviews, code interpretations, permits, and complaint investigations.

Inspects all Aerobic Treatment Units once a year and all Aerobic Maintenance Entities in accordance with Chapter 381 F.S., Chapter 62-6 and the SHO/OSTDS program requirements. Inspects all Performance Based Treatment Systems and all Performance Based Treatment Systems Maintenance Entities in accordance with Chapter 381 FS and the SHO/OSTDS program requirements.

Conducts on-site soil evaluation and determines feasibility of issuing construction permits or denials. Checks plan and specifications of proposed construction projects; checks architects’ and engineers’ plans on architectural and structural work prior to construction when OSTDS systems are required.

Inspects and re-inspects, when required, all new installations and repairs to existing on-site sewage disposal systems. Determines that the systems meet all requirements of Chapter 62-6, F.A.C., and the construction permit specifications. Issues notices of final approval and permit to operate. Initiates and participates in legal actions to obtain compliance when violators noted are not corrected or when work is performed by a non-permitted person or without prior authorization from the Department.

Completes the DARS/HMS daily or as required, completes other reports as required. Maintains records and files of applications in the process of being reviewed and submits completed reviews to the secretary for filing. Participates in the execution of the overall department’s strategic plan, and the strategic plan for Environmental Health. This includes, but is not limited to client satisfaction, data collection and analysis, seminar and training attendance, process management, employee satisfaction, etc.

Attends Dade County Platt Committee meetings and approves or denies requests for sub-divisions based on requirements of Chapters 381.272, F.S., and 64E-6, F.A.C. and Department procedures and directives. Enters approvals or disapprovals of plan reviews into the Miami-Dade County permit tracking system as necessary.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of concepts, terminology, principles and analytical techniques of an engineering specialty area.
• Knowledge of engineering design, construction, production and/or operations.
• Skill in using engineering tools, equipment and or instruments.
• Ability to analyze and interpret engineering data.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to perform engineering inspections.
• Ability to apply engineering quantitative techniques.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• Ability to communicate engineering information effectively.
• Ability to solve problems relating to engineering.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science from an accredited college or university
• Valid driver's license
• Reliable personal vehicle to perform work related duties
• Must be a Certified Environmental Health Professional within 6 months of being hired.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a lead worker and acts on behalf of the unit supervisor as needed.
• Reviews applications for construction permits to install, change or repair on-site sewage disposal systems.
• Reviews plans and site evaluations for systems and ensures that proposals meet all requirements of Chapters 381, 386.01, 489 Florida Statutes and 62-6, Florida Administrative Code.
• Establishes and sets minimum system criteria, including, but not limited to receptacle, pump tank capacity, drain field size and elevation of the invert of the drain field in feet, above Mean Sea Level.
• Issues letters of denial to system proposals failing to meet requirements and advises clients on their right to a variance-hearing request.
• Issues construction permits to proposals meeting requirements.
• Review applications, plans and supporting documents and issue and / or deny permits for OSTDS new, existing, repairs, abandonments including well construction applications and permits.
• Review Annual Operating Permits (AOPs) documents and issue AOPs timely and accurately for clients.
• Review and comment on the county plat applications and share comments with the Environmental Administrator for review and approval.
• Prepare Variance applications and follow them up timely and appropriately with FDEP staff and clients.
• Investigate and document sanitary nuisance and contractor complaints as per FDEP enforcement process timely and accurately.
• Provide technical support as a senior engineer to the rest of the plan reviewers and inspectors including administrative staff and clients.
• Coordinate staff assignments with rest of the team including inspections, plans /applications reviews, AOPs, well construction applications and permits.
• Answers clients’ and dept staff inquiries via state approved communication methods including state issued phone, texting, email, etc.
• Reply to those inquiries must be made timely so our clients and staff receive adequate service levels.
• Ensure program functions and staff are ready, prepared, and available for annual program evaluations.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and a local consultant and mentor to the program staff and clients in the areas of engineering plans reviews, code interpretations, permits, and complaint investigations.
• Inspects all Aerobic Treatment Units once a year and all Aerobic Maintenance Entities in accordance with Chapter 381 F.S., Chapter 62-6 and the SHO/OSTDS program requirements.
• Inspects all Performance Based Treatment Systems and all Performance Based Treatment Systems Maintenance Entities in accordance with Chapter 381 FS and the SHO/OSTDS program requirements.
• Conducts on-site soil evaluation and determines feasibility of issuing construction permits or denials.
• Checks plan and specifications of proposed construction projects; checks architects’ and engineers’ plans on architectural and structural work prior to construction when OSTDS systems are required.
• Inspects and re-inspects, when required, all new installations and repairs to existing on-site sewage disposal systems.
• Determines that the systems meet all requirements of Chapter 62-6, F.A.C., and the construction permit specifications.
• Issues notices of final approval and permit to operate.
• Initiates and participates in legal actions to obtain compliance when violators noted are not corrected or when work is performed by a non-permitted person or without prior authorization from the Department.
• Completes the DARS/HMS daily or as required, completes other reports as required.
• Maintains records and files of applications in the process of being reviewed and submits completed reviews to the secretary for filing.
• Participates in the execution of the overall department’s strategic plan, and the strategic plan for Environmental Health.
• Attends Dade County Platt Committee meetings and approves or denies requests for sub-divisions based on requirements of Chapters 381.272, F.S., and 64E-6, F.A.C. and Department procedures and directives.
• Enters approvals or disapprovals of plan reviews into the Miami-Dade County permit tracking system as necessary.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior