Sanitation And Safety Specialist

SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST -

Date:
Jul 2, 2026

Requisition No: 876750

Agency:
Business and Professional Regulation

Working Title:

SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST -

DIVISION OF HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS:
Sanitation and Safety Specialist (Health Inspector)

Open Competitive Announcement

This position will be filled to work in Sarasota County, with occasional day‑travel to the district office in Ft. Myers.

Applicants must complete all fields in the Candidate Profile. Work history, hours worked, and formal education are required to qualify for this position. Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile. Resumes and other documentation can be attached to provide additional information.

The Division of Hotels and Restaurants (H&R) licenses, inspects, and regulates public lodging and food service establishments in Florida under Chapter 509, Florida Statutes (FS). The division also licenses and regulates elevators, escalators and other vertical conveyance devices under Chapter 399, FS.

The division's three bureaus – Sanitation and Safety Inspections, Licensing and Elevator Safety – comprise a team of approximately 358 personnel fulfilling the regulatory obligations of the division throughout the state.

Our Mission is to protect the health and safety of the public by providing the industry with quality inspections and fair regulation.

• Conduct inspections and inspection‑related activities.
• Conduct regulatory, standardized inspections of public food service establishments and lodging facilities for compliance with environmental health and sanitation regulations, and other safety or sanitation‑related areas as deemed necessary.
• Investigate food‑borne illness and environmental sanitary nuisance complaints, and take administrative action against unlicensed activity. Work with other city, county and state agency officials to secure compliance with state regulations.
• Participate in the inspection and licensing of temporary events.
• Conduct routine inspections on the iPad and prepare accurate facility inspection reports relating to safety, sanitation and misrepresentation violations, daily activity reports, time sheets and travel reimbursement reports.
• Prioritize all assigned work according to department guidelines to ensure compliance with state laws and rules.
• Prepare and submit legal documents to secure compliance through administrative actions by following department guidelines and attend and testify as needed in formal and informal hearings. Deliver legal documents in person to facility operators to secure Good Service as required.
• Communicate with the district office and supervisor as necessary or required.
• Maintain Continuing Education Units, Certified Food Manager Certification, FDA standardization and 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.
• Perform other work as required.

• 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.
• Valid driver license.
• Must be able to stand for long periods; bend, lift, climb, stoop, and carry work equipment.

• Preference will be given to applicants with two or more years of industry‑related experience (food service and/or lodging experience).
• Preference will be given to applicants with an Associate or higher degree in culinary or hospitality management.
• Industry‑related experience is considered to be hotel or restaurant management, restaurant or lodging operations, field or laboratory experience in environmental or public health, food sanitation or quality control.

• State of Florida retirement package: 3% employee contribution required.
• Nine annual paid holidays and one personal holiday.
• Ability to earn up to 104 hours of paid annual leave annually as a new employee with the State of Florida.
• Ability to earn up to 104 hours of paid sick leave…