ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

Requisition No: 823443 Agency: Department of Health Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64003840 1 Pay Plan: Career Service Position Number: 64003840 Salary: $32,760 - $36,700 Posting Closing Date: 02/26/2024 Total Compensation Estimator Tool FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY Your Specific Responsibilities: This position involves performing technical work in a comprehensive on-site sewage treatment & disposal system (OSTDS) program.
This position is responsible for performing a variety of professional, educational, and investigative tasks in the promotion and enforcement of water and waste water functions in Alachua County.
Work is assigned and performed under the general supervision of the Environmental Manager who observes and evaluates work and performance.
Duties of this position include the enforcement of regulations prescribed in Florida Statutes 381 and 386 as well as Chapter 64E-6 Florida Administrative Code (FAC) governing Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS).
Specific duties include identification of hydric soils, flood plains, soil structures (conditions) and spodic zones.
Evaluating and inspecting sites and plans proposed for installation of OSTDS.
Performs standardized site evaluations in accordance with Code and Department policy to determine the suitability of the proposed lots for OSTDS installation and operation.
Identifies plant species and soil samples for ground water level determination.
Drills soil cores for soil color and texture classification using USDA soil textural triangles and maps.
Establishes benchmark elevations for OSTDS construction installations.
Measures and calculates available areas for OSTDS installation.
Notes restrictive topographical features.
Evaluates entire proposed OSTDS construction sites to determine proper setback requirements set forth in Chapter 64E-6 FAC governing OSTDS and Chapter 64E-8 FAC governing private and public drinking supplies.
Inspects completed or in-construction OSTDS systems throughout Alachua County for congruence with submitted plans noting types of equipment installed, construction compliance, piping evaluation, sizes and locations for 64E-6 F.
A.
C compliance.
Reviews and evaluates applications for proposed OSTDS construction permits.
Evaluates design criteria against standards mandated in Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64E-6.
Issues OSTDS construction permits for complying applications, Maintains accurate records of all work performed through the use of State and departmental forms and electronic records.
Inspects all persons & companies involved in septage pumping, hauling, treatment, and land application for compliance with applicable Code and Law.
Reviews all new applications, investigates complaints and reports to the Assistant Environmental Health Director any problems that should arise in that program.
Inspects OSTDS facilities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and Operating Permit criteria.
Provides support and training to coworkers seeking certification in the OSTDS program.
Investigates assigned nuisance complaints and "failing" OSTDS systems to determine cause of OSTDS failure.
Recommends remedial actions to owners/operators.
Issues and executes sanitary nuisance abatement orders.
Assists in disaster/emergency situations as directed.
Prepares technical reports and correspondence, initiates preliminary requests for legal action and when necessary, testifies before the County Code Enforcement Board, Administrative Hearing or Circuit Court to obtain compliance with applicable statutes and codes.
Participates in staff meetings, professional conferences and training sessions.
Participates on assigned boards and committees to advise on health, sanitation and safety procedures.
Responsible for securing the designated information set for the purposes of protecting confidentiality, data integrity, and appropriate access, for all information, both confidential and public record, which is stored in hard copy of electronic formats.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to manage and schedule timed activities.
Able to handle adverse situations and maintain professional composure.
Ability to lift a septic tank manhole at 50 lbs.
Must be able to identify slight changes in colors and textures.
Must be able to perform work duties in outdoor temperatures and conditions.
Ability to read, comprehend, and communicate administrative laws.
Qualifications: Minimum – Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with 30 hours in chemical, physical or biological sciences.
Must obtain and/or maintain certification in OSTDS as an Environmental Health Professional in accordance with Chapter 381.
0101, Florida Statutes and Chapter 64E-18, Florida Administrative Code.
Must possess a valid Driver’s License.
Preferred - Current CEHP (Certified Environmental Health Professional) certification for OSTDS (Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System) 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: Alachua CHD,224 SE 24th St Gainesville, Fl 3264 Travel up to 50% of the time 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 www.
myfrs.
com); Flexible Spending Accounts; Tuition waivers; And more! For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.
mybenefits.
myflorida.
com.
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: https://www.
sss.
gov 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.
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.
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.