ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 42005976 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

State of Florida • Sarasota, FL

6d • $53,036 - $73,189 • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is an internal agency opportunity for current employees of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The headquarters for this role is negotiable within Manatee, Pinellas, or Sarasota County. The Environmental Specialist III is responsible for conducting regulatory inspections of food establishments to ensure compliance with regulatory, sanitation, and consumer protection requirements. This involves utilizing science-based knowledge to evaluate processes, equipment, and practices to ensure food safety. The role also includes performing joint inspections with other agencies, preparing reports, advising management on corrective actions, and initiating enforcement actions when necessary. Additionally, the position involves inspecting and sampling Age-Restricted Foods, operating and maintaining inspection equipment, and performing various administrative functions. The successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting.

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.
• Possession of a valid driver license.
• 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.
• 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.
• Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to keep management apprised of relevant issues without prompting.
• Ability to work independently (and accurately).
• Ability to manage time.
• Ability to 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.

Responsibilities

• Conducting regulatory inspections of food establishments, including those engaged in manufacturing, processing, packing, holding, or preparing Age-Restricted Foods, for compliance with regulatory, sanitation, and consumer protection requirements.
• Utilizing science-based knowledge to determine compliance with regulations and environmental and sanitation standards.
• Performing initial inspections on food establishments, evaluating food processes and activities to determine specific business requirements.
• Performing joint inspections/investigations with FDA and other federal, state, and local agencies.
• Preparing reports to document regulatory deficiencies.
• Interpreting and explaining public health laws, rules, and sanitation and safety standards to food establishment personnel.
• Advising management of necessary corrective actions.
• Initiating stop sale orders, stop use orders, destruction reports, release notices, and movement of goods under stop sale orders.
• Investigating consumer complaints, conducting follow-up reporting, and performing food-borne illness investigations.
• Performing initial inspections for new businesses and special inspections of fire or flood damaged food establishments.
• Inspecting Age-Restricted Foods and traditional foods in vehicles involved in accidents and conducting disaster surveillance.
• Independently exercising professional judgment and instituting appropriate enforcement actions.
• Using effective judgment, knowledge of statutes and rules, and awareness of legal implications for compliance with regulations, sanitation, cleanliness, labeling, and other food safety requirements.
• Providing testimony, documentation, and/or affidavits to support administrative, regulatory, civil, and criminal action.
• Inspecting and sampling Age-Restricted Foods for compliance with statute and rule, and taking enforcement action based on laboratory testing results.
• Reviewing Age-Restricted Food labels for mislabeling, misrepresentation, and inclusion of mandatory consumer information.
• Evaluating advertising and selecting food samples for laboratory analysis.
• Investigating and collecting Age-Restricted Foods and environmental samples when possible food adulteration or other violations are indicated.
• Operating, calibrating, and maintaining inspection test equipment, including thermometers, sanitizer test kits, and pH meters.
• Preparing and submitting accurate and complete inspection reports, sample collection reports, daily activity reports, travel vouchers, expense vouchers, and supply requisitions.
• Attending designated training sessions and courses.
• Following department policies and procedures and conducting official duties in a professional manner.
• Performing other related 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED