Environmental Specialist Iii - 64085279

Environmental Specialist III -

This is an Environmental Specialist III position conducting a variety of regulatory environmental health and safety inspections to ensure compliance with state and local laws, and makes recommendations on the issuance of permits, licenses, or approvals. Work is performed under the supervision of an Environmental Manager - SES. This position is responsible for conducting a variety of regulatory and educational tasks in core Environmental Health areas of Food Safety, Group Care, Mobile Home/Recreational Vehicle Parks, Migrant Labor Housing, and Sanitary Nuisances in accordance with Section 381.006, Florida Statutes.

This position requires independent judgment, initiative, applying general knowledge of business practices and skill in applying instructions to accomplish various job functions. This position is designated as a sensitive position and is required to maintain confidential information in accordance with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Palm Beach County Health Department (CHD) Information Security Policy, Protocols and Procedures.

Confidential Information sets include:
Clinical Information Data. Access to the Environmental Health Data Set for food borne illness investigations. Health Management System (HMS) to Daily Activity Report (DAR) entry only. Enters and updates data in Environmental Health Database (EHD) including data relating to inspections, complaints and complaint investigations, operating permits, and billing information. May view, update, and release information as needed.

Performs regulatory inspections of public schools, private schools, assisted living facilities, and other residential group care facilities, migrant labor camps, residential migrant housing, mobile home parks and recreational vehicle parks. Performs inspections of food service operations located at FDOH-regulated facilities and other food service operations as required by Florida Statutes and local laws or ordinances. Conducts follow-up inspections. Investigates complaints of foodborne illnesses, completes related documentation, makes appropriate referrals, and conducts required follow-up activities in accordance with Department policies and procedures.

Investigates sanitary nuisance complaints in accordance with Chapter 386, Florida Statutes, recommends and enforces appropriate corrective actions, and makes appropriate referrals to relevant agencies.

Investigate complaints of non-compliance regarding FDOH-regulated facilities, enforces or recommends appropriate corrective actions, or makes appropriate referrals to relevant agencies. Investigates allegations of unlicensed or unapproved facility operations, monitors the facility status following initial investigation, and initiates appropriate enforcement actions, or referrals to relevant agencies. Document all findings from inspections or investigations clearly, concisely, and in sufficient detail to fully support all conclusions, recommendations, required corrective actions, and enforcement actions.

Provide clear and concise oral or written information to responsible parties regarding the results of investigations or inspections. Accurately document and update data, and generate inspection reports, notices, and other documents in field settings. Collects data electronically in the field, and ensures timely updates to the main databases, as required. Collects water and food samples as required.

Perform activities related to Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health (PACE EH) to meet applicable strategic goals and objectives, including but not limited to, meeting and engaging community leaders and citizens at all levels, making presentations to professional and community groups, planning meetings and community events, and writing detailed reports and analysis of program activities and progress reports. Meets with property owners, facility operators, engineers, architects, planners, and prospective applicants or their representatives to provide consultation on the design and operation of facilities and resolution of environmental health and safety issues.

Coordinates activities with federal, State, and local agencies. Reviews license applications. Reviews and approves plans for food service establishments, mobile home parks, residential migrant housing, migrant labor camps and other facilities. Reads, evaluates, and interprets blueprints, diagrams, sketches, maps and aerial photos involving regulated facilities or properties under investigation. Verifies availability of approved water and sewer services for regulated facilities.

Recommends issuance or denial of licenses, permits, or approvals of regulated facilities based on review of the facility's level of compliance with all applicable standards or requirements. Organizes and maintains files, reports, and other related documents. Documents possible causes and remedies. Schedules and conducts follow-up inspections. Initiates and conducts enforcement actions…