Environmental Specialist Ii

Environmental Specialist II -

This is an internal promotional opportunity only. Only current Department of Health employees will be considered. Your specific responsibilities include:

This position involves professional Environmental Health work, independently conducting inspections of regulated facilities and entities for compliance with Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code and Sarasota County Code requirements in environmental health programs within Sarasota County in accordance with department policies and Environmental Health Program Manual 150-4. This is a generalist Environmental Specialist II position requiring work in all Environmental Health programs including (but not limited to) water well construction permitting;

public swimming pools and natural bathing areas; onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems, 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 and site evaluations of unimproved and un-cleared acreage and/or land parcels covered in thick vegetation in all types of weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain, high humidity, and other adverse and unpleasant conditions.

Conducts field investigations of proposed private water supply well sites and locates any source of pollution or contamination. In cases where a water use permit (WUP) is applicable, coordinates with the Southwest Florida Water Management District to ensure that they have the opportunity to review and approve the project. 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.

Receives water related complaints from the public and conducts field investigations. Conducts surveys of the wells in the vicinity of the complaint site and selects a group of wells that will provide an indication of the direction and extent of any contamination of the ground water. 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 process. Performs site inspections of well permit applications. Inputs well application information into Southwest Florida Water Management District's database. 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.

BIOMEDICAL WASTE:
Conducts and coordinates inspections, investigations, and sanitary surveys in Biomedical Waste, Tattoo, and Body Piercing programs to ensure compliance with all applicable statutes, rules, and ordinances. Acts as liaison with other Department of Health divisions, state, federal and local agencies when needed in response to complaints and inquiries regarding biomedical waste issues. Prepare reports to document compliance or non-compliance of assigned programs.

Make recommendations regarding the issuance or denial of permits. Conducts enforcement actions as necessary. Coordinates maintenance of records for all assigned areas ensuring that facility files contain the minimum required documentation per Environmental Health Program Manual 150-4.

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. Inspect 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.

Physically able to lift up to 60 pounds and conduct soil borings to a depth of six feet using a bucket auger. Conducts operational inspections of industrial, commercial and aerobic treatment unit OSTDS. Initiates enforcement activities as needed via county code enforcement and/or state enforcement…