Job Description

Requisition No: 830669 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64029517

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64029517 

Salary: $39,160.62 - $47,783.45 

Posting Closing Date: 05/01/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position involves professional Environmental Health (EH) work, independently conducting inspections of regulated facilities and entities for compliance with Florida Statutes (FS), Florida Administrative Code (FAC), and Sarasota County Code requirements in environmental health programs within Sarasota County in accordance with department policies and Environmental Health Program Manual 150-4. Primary duties for this position will be in the onsite sewage treatment and disposal system (OSTDS) program but work in all other EH programs may be required from time to time including (but not limited to) public water well construction permitting; mobile home parks safety and sanitation; food hygiene; group care; migrant labor camps; Super-Act (water well surveillance); limited use public wells; biomedical waste, tattoo, body art and piercing establishments; sanitary/environmental nuisance complaints; rabies surveillance; Safe Drinking Water Act; and skin tanning establishments. The position is based in the South County Environmental Health office in Venice and will primarily serve the southern half of Sarasota County; however, travel to the North County Environmental Health office (located in Sarasota) will be required as needed depending on workload. Use of personal vehicle will at times be required (with mileage reimbursed per Florida Statute Chapter 112.061.) Assigned duties will include a majority of work outdoors conducting inspections, site evaluations of unimproved and un-cleared acreage and/or land parcels covered in thick vegetation and collecting samples in all types of weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain, high humidity, and other adverse and unpleasant conditions. This position reports directly to the Environmental Supervisor I – SES.

1. ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS (OSTDS): Perform necessary site and soil evaluations, review plans, and approve or deny the issuance of construction permits in accordance with Florida Statute 381.0065, Florida Administrative Code 62-6 (abbreviated F.A.C 62-6) and Sarasota County Ordinance Section 54 Article VIII. Inspects new, repaired, and modified OSTDS installations to determine and ensure compliance with Florida Statute, Florida Administrative Code and County Ordinance. Provides assistance to homeowners and contractors regarding permitting. Conducts operational inspections of industrial, commercial, and aerobic treatment unit OSTDS. Initiates enforcement activities as needed via county code enforcement and/or state enforcement protocol. Reviews all soil profile and site evaluation submittals associated with OSTDS construction permit applications of Health staff as needed. Replies to calls, emails, and inquiries regarding soil questions.
2. WATER WELL CONSTRUCTION PERMITTING: Performs site Inspections of well permit applications. Inputs well application Information into Southwest Florida Water Management District's database. Conducts well construction grouting Inspections as required by Sarasota County Well Drilling Ordinance and Florida Administrative Code. Conducts water well surveys and secures bacteriological samples if necessary and participates in the interpretation of the results to determine conformance with regulations or the existence of hazards to the public. Identifies and secures the plugging of abandoned wells. Meets with engineers, property owners, well drillers and developers to evaluate and recommend design changes that will provide better protection against contamination of ground water aquifers. Coordinates with field personnel of the Southwest Florida Water Management District on all matters relating to the quality of water Improvement program, including evaluation of logging, provision of specifications and inspection and sampling during actual plugging operations. Evaluates central water connection data to determine status of former domestic wells. Contacts owners and performs site visits as necessary to ensure compliance with regulations. Acts as source of information regarding private wells to contractors, professional engineers, and the public. Conducts field investigations of proposed private water supply well sites and locates sources of existing or potential pollution or contamination. Receives water related complaints from the public and conducts field investigations. Determines action to be taken where bacteriological or chemical contamination is found. Secures bacteriological and chemical water samples for laboratory analyses and evaluates laboratory tests and recommends corrective actions. Prepares certified letters, prepares code enforcement and special master's documents. Prepares reports of activities for immediate supervisor. Attends section staff meetings. Attends quarterly meetings by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and other meetings when necessary. Performs related work as required.
3. GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM SUPPORT: Provides field and staff support for all environmental health programs, including but not limited to: Super-Act, Biomedical Waste, Mobile Home Parks Sanitation, Sanitary Nuisance Complaints, Indoor Air Quality, and other DOH-Sarasota regulated facilities. Initiates and coordinates enforcement procedures related to assigned duties as required.
4. SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS: Investigate reports of sanitary nuisance complaints. Follow-up and assure corrective action have been taken or take necessary legal action in accordance with Florida Statute Chapter 386.
5. OTHER DUTIES as assigned including providing support for all Environmental Health programs as assigned by Environmental Health Director/ Designee.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Computer skills including Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel, including some overnight trips
• Ability to lift up to sixty pounds and conduct soil borings to a depth of six feet using a bucket auger
• Ability to work outdoors in extreme heat and weather conditions

Qualifications:

Minimum –

• Bachelor’s degree in a physical or natural science
• Valid Florida driver’s license or the ability to obtain one
• Obtain/Maintain OSTDS/Food Hygiene Certified Environmental Health Professional (FDOH) within 6-months of the probationary period

Preferred –

• Current OSTDS certification
• Experience in the OSTDS program and/or environmental compliance and complaint investigations
• Registered Environmental Specialist/Registered Sanitarian with the Florida Environmental Health Association or the National Environmental Health Association.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the  Healthiest  State in the Nation.

Values:

I  nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

R.L. Anderson Administrative Building

4000 S. Tamiami Trail

Venice, FL 34293

Incumbent will be required to travel throughout Sarasota County.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• 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 );

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit  .

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website:  

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration: (877) 562-7287.

Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call (866) 221-0268.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

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