ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 42003831 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

State of Florida • Fort Myers, FL

3d • $53,000 - $61,438 • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Agricultural Environmental Services, is hiring an Environmental Specialist III for an internal agency opportunity open only to current department employees. Headquarters is negotiable within Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties. The role has regulatory responsibilities and requires frequent travel, residence in a required county throughout employment, and occasional work outside normal hours, including weekends or holidays. The incumbent must be willing and able to deploy from the assigned headquarters for extended periods during incident response activities.

The specialist conducts inspections and collects samples to determine compliance with specified Florida statutes and administrative rules, with a focus on most Mosquito Control inspections in the region. The role also investigates complaints, violations, and other suspected matters; handles high-profile or complex pest-control investigations; documents activities; and issues corrective notices as appropriate. The incumbent maintains knowledge of applicable regulations, participates in enforcement activities and proceedings, serves as Operations Officer on the division incident response team, assists the regional Fit Test Coordinator, and acts as backup supervisor when the regional supervisor is absent.

Applicants must meet one of the listed education-and-experience combinations, hold a valid Class E driver license, and obtain and maintain a restricted-use pesticide license in regulatory inspection and sampling. The employee must meet medical fitness requirements for respirator and/or SCBA use and pass post-employment physical examinations. A background screening, including fingerprinting, is required. Flextime is noted.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following minimum qualification combinations: high school diploma or equivalent and two years of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; a physical or natural science; or engineering; or high school diploma or equivalent and 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 months of qualifying experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; a physical or natural science; or engineering.
• Possess a valid Class E driver license.
• Obtain and maintain a restricted-use pesticide license in the category of regulatory inspection and sampling.
• Meet requirements for proper respirator and/or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) use and pass post-employment physical examinations to determine medical fitness for such use.
• Travel frequently and reside in a required county throughout employment in this position.
• Be able and willing to work outside normal working hours, including occasional weekends and holidays, as directed.
• Be willing and able to deploy from assigned headquarters for extended periods for incident response activities.
• Communicate effectively, work independently, and deal with the public tactfully and courteously.
• Be able to use personal computers.
• Be able to lift, maneuver, and carry 60 pounds.
• Be able to perform complex pesticide investigations.
• Pass a background screening, including fingerprinting.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and conduct inspections and collect samples to determine compliance with applicable Florida statutes and administrative rules, following established policies and procedures.
• Conduct the majority of Mosquito Control inspections for the region.
• Investigate reports, complaints, violations, or suspicious matters; collect, summarize, and report evidence; and conduct high-profile or complex pest-control investigations.
• Prepare and submit timely written and electronic reports in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Issue corrective notices as necessary in accordance with department policy.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant state and federal regulations; read and interpret pesticide labels, regulations, and legal descriptions; and regularly review applicable statutes and rules.
• Participate in coordinated enforcement activities with department employees and government agencies, including statewide enforcement operations, as directed.
• Represent the department in administrative hearings, court proceedings, or meetings as necessary.
• Serve as Operations Officer on the division’s incident response team and assist the region’s Fit Test Coordinator.
• Participate in bureau and division meetings and training courses as required.
• Serve as backup supervisor in the regional supervisor’s absence and perform other related duties as requested.

Benefits

• Annual and sick leave
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers
• Flextime

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED