Open Competitive

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position is an Environmental Specialist I for the FDOH-Putnam Environmental Health Program.

This is a specialized professional position requiring technical advisory and coordinative skills for providing advanced services in the Putnam County Environmental Health Program. The incumbent functions as the coordinator of the On-Site Sewage Treatment and Disposal System, Migrant Farmworker Housing, Mobile Home/RV Parks, Healthy Beaches and Limited - Use Public Water System programs. Specific duties and responsibilities are performed and accomplished independently with only limited supervision by the immediate supervisor. Must maintain a driver’s license with adequate insurance.

Works in the Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal program for Putnam County. Approves and issues permits for commercial style septic systems and serving Industrial/Manufacturing establishments. Land Spreading Lime Stabilization, Septic Disposal Services and Aerobic Treatment Units based on compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Reviews applications for individual onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems to determine soil characteristics and water table elevations. Determines topographical conditions by establishing benchmarks using calibrated instruments. Classifies soil types, establishes ground water table elevations, and makes a final decision on the possibility of using an individual sewage disposal system. Meets with property owner, engineers, and developers to recommend and design changes and discuss possible environmental protection of environmentally sensitive areas. Reviews and approves the design of individual sewage disposal systems for residents and commercial facilities based on gallons per day of sewage flow. Approves and issues permits for individual sewage disposal systems.

Works in the Migrant Farmworker Housing and Mobile Home/RV Parks program for Putnam County. Conducts routine inspections of Department of Health regulated facilities to determine compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local regulations regarding food hygiene, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal, drainage, safety, and potable water supply. Advises Owner/Operator on corrective procedures for violations that jeopardize the health/safety of tenants or occupants. Reviews plans for all proposed facilities, coordinating with all agendas involved. Recommends approval or denial of annual state operating permits based on mandated inspections. Investigates citizen complaints involving DOH regulated facilities in the interest of public health. Determines the validity of complaints and if warranted, initiates enforcement action through legal notification. Compiles complaint information in such a manner that will qualify as legal evidence in court proceedings. Serves as expert technical witness in complaint cases requiring administrative or other legal enforcement action. Collects samples when necessary for laboratory analysis.

Conducts routine inspections of assigned food service establishments, group care facilities, swimming pools and other permitted facilities to determine compliance with regulations. Performs field tests to determine chemical residuals, pH, etc. Recommends issuance or denial of annual operating permits based on mandated inspections. Issue corrective orders and if necessary, initiate law enforcement action. During routine inspections, maintains continuous surveillance for sources of pollution or safety violations detrimental to public health/environment. Advises owner/operator on corrective procedures for violations that jeopardize the health/safety of tenants, patrons, or occupants.

Coordinates the Private and Public Water Supply programs for Putnam County. Duties in these programs include sample collections, interpretatio0n of chemical results, maintaining countywide inventory of DEP and non-DEP regulated potable water systems. Performs bacteriological water quality monitoring on public and private potable water systems as defined in the Florida Safe Drinking Water Act. Monitors and interprets bacteriological results and recommends procedures to correct deficiencies when necessary.

Conducts plan reviews and inspections of assigned water wells less than 6" in diameter within Putnam County as delegated by the St. Johns River Water Management District. Provides technical assistance to private and public water system owner/operators on the construction standards and placement of wells to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations. Initiates enforcement action as necessary.

Investigates citizen complaints in the interest of public health that are related to sewage, water, garbage, rodent control, arthropod control, etc. determines the validity of nuisance complaints and if warranted, initiates enforcement action through legal notification. Compiles complaint information in such a manner that will qualify as legal evidence in court proceeding. Serves as expert witness in complaint cases requiring administrative or other legal enforcement action. Collects samples when necessary for laboratory analysis.

Attends staff meetings, conferences, certification seminars and training sessions as required. Performs duties as outlined in DOH in Putnam County Policy and Procedure titled “Disaster Operating Procedure” and other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments to meet department goals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department staff, other agency staff and the public.
• Skill in using word processing and spreadsheet applications, as well as relational databases.
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds

Qualifications:

Minimum 

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university with a major in the Engineering, Environmental Sciences or one of the Natural Sciences
• A valid Driver's License.

Preferred

• Environmental Health Experience

• State of Florida Experience

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:

Florida Department of Florida in Putnam County

Palatka, 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

(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: http://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.