Requisition No: 876938
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 64029341 1
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 64029341
Salary: $36,317 - $38,000 annually
Posting Closing Date: 07/06/2026
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ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I
Open Competitive
Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join our team! Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.
Your Specific Responsibilities:
The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Polk County in its mission to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.
This position conducts site inspections to monitor and regulate proposed and existing facilities that affect health and environment. This primarily includes inspection of food hygiene, group care, indoor air, and tanning facilities to address environmentally related public health conditions and concerns. At least ninety (90%) of this position is work performed in the field performing public health inspections per Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, and other FDOH policies and procedures.
The Environmental Specialist I in this position must be well-organized, possess strong interpersonal skills, and must be able to work independently in the field and exercise good judgment.
The position requires the Certified Environmental Health Professional (CEHP) certification in Food Protection, to be obtained within six months of hiring.
Inspections and follow-up duties:
Inspects assigned food hygiene, group care, and tanning facilities for compliance with all applicable State codes, statutes, and regulations. Performs these inspections within the required frequencies and conducts all inspections and other functions in accordance with EH Manual 150-4. Performs scheduled re-inspections to confirm corrective actions to address violations and verify return to compliance. The inspection component of this position requires that the employee perform field duties in all conditions including high summer temperatures. Position duties involve frequent walking and standing. Some inspection locations and sites require the ability to walk over uneven terrain for significant distances.
Tracks inspection progress for assigned facilities to ensure that all inspections are performed within required frequencies. Pulls quota reports and other reports from the Environmental Health Database (EHD) to ensure these inspections are on track throughout the permit year.
Maintains current, complete and accurate records of assigned facilities and all inspection activities. Ensures that all licenses and Environmental Health Database (EHD) entries are current and accurate.
Investigates reported complaints involving these facilities and prepare reports, legal notices and other supportive documents, and initiates enforcement action where necessary to achieve compliance. Utilizes EH Manual 150-4 complaint procedures.
Other program areas:
Duties may sometimes include similar inspection work as needed in the mobile home park, biomedical waste, tattooing, migrant labor camp, and water programs, and in the investigation of foodborne illness and sanitary nuisance complaints.
Other duties:
Performs other duties as required and as needed, including interpreter duties depending on skill level.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of environmental field work and the practical application of scientific principles and techniques.
Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental programs.
Skill in data collection, review of documents, and organizing files and records.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with regulated parties and the public.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to prioritize, organize and schedule work assignments.
Skill in the operation of a personal computer and the use of common software applications
Qualifications:
Minimum -
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences or engineering
This position requires certification as outlined in Florida Statutes 381.0101 for Food Protection,
To qualify for certification, the incumbent must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and must have successfully completed a minimum of 30-semester or 40 quarter hours in environmental health, environmental science, a physical or a biological science, or public health.
Valid Florida Class E Driver’s License
Other job-related requirements for this position:
Emergency Duty: Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
Confidentiality: Incumbent may have access to records containing Social Security numbers in the performance of their job duties.
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:
Bartow, FL
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
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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.
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.
All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.
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
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.
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. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
Location:
BARTOW, FL, US, 33830
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Nearest Major Market: Lakeland
