About the role
Requisition No: 883435
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 64029517
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 64029517
Salary: $44,581.16 - $50,139.23
Posting Closing Date: 10/25/2026
Total Compensation Estimator Tool
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II
Open Competitive
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This position involves professional Environmental Health (EH) work, independently conducting inspections of regulated facilities and entities for compliance with Florida Statutes (FS), Florida Administrative Code (FAC), and Sarasota County Code requirements in environmental health programs within Sarasota County in accordance with department policies and Environmental Health Program Manual 150-4. Primary duties for this position will be in the onsite sewage treatment and disposal system (OSTDS) program but work in all other EH programs may be required from time to time including (but not limited to) public water well construction permitting; 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, site evaluations of unimproved and un-cleared acreage and/or land parcels covered in thick vegetation and collecting samples in all types of weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain, high humidity, and other adverse and unpleasant conditions. This position requires 6-7 hours of daily field work and reports directly to the Environmental Supervisor II – SES.
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. Inspects 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 protocol. Reviews all soil profile and site evaluation submittals associated with OSTDS construction permit applications of Health staff as needed. Replies to calls, emails, and inquiries regarding soil questions.
GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM SUPPORT: Provides field and staff support for all environmental health programs, including but not limited to: Super-Act, Biomedical Waste, Mobile Home Parks Sanitation, Sanitary Nuisance Complaints, Indoor Air Quality, Private Water Well Construction Permit Review/Inspection and Water Management Information System (WMIS) Database, Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places, and other DOH-Sarasota regulated facilities. Initiates and coordinates enforcement procedures related to assigned duties as required.
SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS: Investigate reports of sanitary nuisance complaints. Follow-up and assure corrective action have been taken or take necessary legal action in accordance with Florida Statute Chapter 386.
Prepares reports of activities for immediate supervisor. Attends section staff meetings
Other duties as assigned: Including providing support for all Environmental Health programs as assigned by Environmental Health Director/ Designee.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Computer skills including Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, and TEAMS
- Knowledge of environmental health programs
- Customer service skills
- Ability to work outdoors in extreme heat and weather conditions
- Ability to work 6-7 hours in the field daily
- Ability to lift up to 60 pounds
Qualifications:
Minimum –
- Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in environmental health, public health, environmental science, or physical or biological science with at least 30 credit hours in physical or natural sciences, college-level mathematics, or statistics and at least two years’ experience working in environmental health. (required per Florida Statute, Chapter 381)
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred –
- Certified Environmental Health Professional
- Certified in Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
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:
R.L. Anderson Administrative Center
4000 Tamiami Trail S.
Venice, FL 34293
Incumbent will be required to travel throughout Sarasota County.
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.
Total Compensation Estimator Tool: https://compcalculator.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.
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 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.
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 by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.