Sanitation And Safety Specialist - 79001338

State of Florida • Largo, FL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Hotels and Restaurants within Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses, inspects, and regulates public lodging and food service establishments. Its mission is to protect public health and safety through quality inspections and fair regulation. This position is based in Collier County, with occasional daytime travel to the district office in Fort Myers.

The specialist conducts sanitation and safety inspections of hotels, restaurants, and other public food service and lodging facilities; investigates food-borne illness and sanitary nuisance complaints; and addresses unlicensed activity. The role involves applying environmental health, sanitation, and safety requirements, coordinating with other government officials, and taking administrative steps to secure compliance.

The position requires routine travel to inspection sites, including temporary events, and the preparation of inspection reports and related records. The specialist may prepare and deliver legal documents and testify in hearings. Regular work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break; evenings and weekends may be required for routine or special inspections and temporary events. The position is in Collier County and includes occasional day travel to Fort Myers.

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge of laws and rules pertaining to sanitation and safety inspections.
• Ability to work on a team and participate in team activities.
• Ability to stand for long periods; bend, lift, climb, stoop, and carry work equipment.
• Ability to use inspection and computer technology, including an iPad, computer programs, email, cell phones, and Bluetooth printers.
• Willingness and ability to work weekends and evenings as required for routine or special inspections and temporary events.
• Willingness and ability to drive a state vehicle or a personal vehicle, with reimbursement, to perform job duties.
• Willingness to accept employment at the advertised salary.
• Willingness and ability to work in high-crime areas to inspect substandard housing and enter locations with vermin, sewage, or other sanitary hazards when necessary.
• Willingness and ability to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break.
• Must pass the required Level 2 background check before starting work.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of industry-related experience in food service and/or lodging.
• An associate degree or higher in culinary or hospitality management.
• Industry-related experience such as hotel or restaurant management, restaurant or lodging operations, field or laboratory experience in environmental or public health, food sanitation, or quality control.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regulatory, standardized inspections of public food service establishments and lodging facilities for compliance with environmental health, sanitation, and safety regulations.
• Investigate food-borne illness complaints, environmental sanitary nuisance complaints, and unlicensed activity; take administrative action as appropriate.
• Work with city, county, and state agency officials to secure compliance with state regulations.
• Participate in the inspection and licensing of temporary events.
• Use an iPad to conduct routine inspections and prepare accurate facility inspection reports documenting safety, sanitation, and misrepresentation violations.
• Prepare daily activity reports, timesheets, and travel reimbursement reports.
• Prioritize assigned work according to department guidelines and ensure compliance with state laws and rules.
• Prepare and submit legal documents to secure compliance through administrative actions, deliver legal documents in person to facility operators to obtain “Good Service,” and attend and testify at formal and informal hearings as needed.
• Communicate with the district office and supervisor as necessary or required.
• Maintain continuing education units, Certified Food Manager Certification, FDA standardization, and a Florida driver’s license.
• Maintain state-issued equipment in proper working condition.
• Participate in meetings and training sessions as required.
• Provide a high standard of customer service and perform other work as required.

Benefits

• State of Florida retirement package, with a required 3% employee contribution.
• Nine annual paid holidays and one personal holiday.
• Ability to earn up to 104 hours of paid annual leave annually as a new State employee.
• Ability to earn up to 104 hours of paid sick leave annually.
• Health insurance coverage, including individual and family coverage, for eligible employees.
• A $25,000 life insurance policy for eligible employees.
• Optional supplemental insurance policies, including dental, vision, hospital supplement, and cancer coverage.
• Tax-deferred medical and childcare reimbursement accounts.
• Tuition waiver program for attendance at an approved State of Florida college or university.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed