ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64028394

State of Florida • Fort Myers, FL

18d • $40,000 - $42,000

About The Position

This is a Career Service (CS) Environmental Specialist I position working for the Lee County Health Department.

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 noncompliant 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Certification in Food Hygiene is required by Florida Statute 381.0101
• 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.
• Position requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 30 credit hours in a related science field.
• Certification in Food Hygiene is required by Florida Statute 381.0101 or become a certified Registered Sanitarian.
• Certification must be obtained within six months of hire and must be maintained every two years as required.
• Positions in the Department of Health responsible for performing environmental health and sanitary evaluations in a primary program area of environmental health require certification in accordance with Section 381.0101, Florida Statutes.
• Requirements for certification are found in 64E-18.004(3) and include a bachelor’s degree from an US accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, environmental science, or a physical or biological science.
• Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency.
• Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver License and have a motor vehicle to carry out these duties.
• This position is authorized to transport confidential information outside of established DOH-Lee facilities and must comply with parameters defined in DOHP 50-10.
• Selected immunizations or titers and/or periodic screening for tuberculosis may be recommended for this position.
• This position will abide by all state and federal laws, rules, and DOH policies and procedures.
• This position is classified as sensitive. This individual will perform tasks defined as sensitive and handles confidential information. Background screening is a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Present expert witness testimony and represent the Department on legal proceedings involving noncompliant 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.
• Perform 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 (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;

What This Job Offers

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