OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64906056

State of Florida • Fort Lauderdale, FL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Health is hiring an Environmental Specialist I for its Environmental Health Program in Broward County. This is an OPS (Other Personal Services) position requiring daily on-site work at a facility in Broward County, including both office and field work. The position provides a wide variety of in-office and field training and involves independently conducting regulatory inspections to ensure compliance with state and local laws and rules. Other duties include data entry, report writing, record keeping, public education, and preparing legal notices. The incumbent must manage time and organize work effectively to meet deadlines.

The position inspects public swimming pools and bathing places for compliance with water quality, safety, and operating standards. Work includes field chemical testing; inspecting pumps, filters, chemical feeders, flow rates, and other water-treatment components; investigating complaints; providing consultation; and taking enforcement action. The incumbent also inspects group-care facilities and mobile-home and recreational-vehicle parks, and investigates environmental nuisance complaints involving improperly treated solid waste, human or animal waste, disease vectors, or other environmental threats to public health. Abatement efforts may involve consultation, referrals, and enforcement.

The position may require work before, during, or beyond normal work hours or days during emergencies or to meet program deadlines. Emergency duties may include work in a special-needs or Red Cross shelter or other disaster-related response. OPS employees are not offered paid time off. Health benefits are offered for full-time employment, and OPS employees may participate in a deferred compensation plan.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Florida Administrative Codes, the Florida Building Code, and Florida Statutes related to the position’s duties.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize workload, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to move around inspection sites, including pool decks and confined pool-equipment areas; work may involve bending, squatting, light lifting, and climbing stairs and ladders.
• Ability to work outdoors in high heat, humidity, and extreme Florida weather, including rain.
• Ability to perform field inspections, document findings, write reports, and prepare legal notices.
• Ability to interact professionally and courteously with the public.
• Ability to communicate inspection and investigation findings to customers, the public, and community partners.
• Ability to use problem-solving techniques to complete assignments.
• Ability and willingness to use a personal vehicle for inspections; a valid driver’s license free of major infractions and access to an automobile for work purposes are required. Mileage reimbursement is provided.
• Willingness to work before, during, or beyond normal work hours or days during emergencies, including possible shelter or disaster-response duties.
• Willingness to report to the office daily and perform field work.
• Current authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
• Ability to learn and communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in public health, environmental health, environmental sciences, or a physical or biological science.
• Six months of experience in a regulatory field in public health or environmental protection, or 30 credit hours in a physical or biological science.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regulatory field inspections to ensure compliance with state and local laws and rules.
• Inspect public swimming pools and bathing places for compliance with water quality, safety, and operating standards.
• Perform field chemical testing and inspect pool water-treatment components, including pumps, filters, chemical feeders, and flow rates.
• Investigate pool complaints, provide consultation, and conduct enforcement activities.
• Inspect group-care facilities and mobile-home and recreational-vehicle parks to protect the health and safety of clients.
• Investigate environmental nuisance complaints involving improperly treated solid waste, human or animal waste, disease vectors, and other environmental threats to public health.
• Seek abatement of environmental nuisances through consultation, referral, and enforcement.
• Perform data entry, report writing, record keeping, provide education, and prepare legal notices.
• Manage time and organize work independently to meet deadlines and complete assignments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Perform emergency duties, which may include working in a special-needs or Red Cross shelter or responding to a disaster or threat of disaster.

Benefits

• OPS employees are not offered paid time off.
• Health benefits are offered for full-time employment, subject to eligibility requirements.
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory).
• Participation in state group insurance, upon meeting eligibility requirements.
• Workers’ compensation (mandatory, if needed).
• Reemployment assistance (unemployment compensation) (mandatory, if needed).
• Deferred compensation (voluntary).
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary).

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed