Environmental Specialist II - 42005699 (For Internal Agency Employees Only)

Requisition No: 837668

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 42005699 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005699

Salary: $48,214.66 - $57,857.54

Posting Closing Date: 09/24/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF FOOD SAFETY

BUREAU OF FOOD INSPECTION

• INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY--

ONLY CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES WILL BE CONSIDERED.*

This position's headquarters is negotiable within Collier, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota County.

CONTACT:

Saskia Underwood (850) 815-2036

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; or

Six (6) months of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or

One (1) year of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; agriculture; or engineering.

Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained. Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency. A list of approved agencies can be viewed at "Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education." Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org)

• ATTENTION CANDIDATES*

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).

• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.

• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values

and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified

individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Employees appointed to positions involved in food establishment inspections under authority of Chapter 500, Florida Statutes, must complete basic training requirements stated in the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Programs Standard 2 (VNRFRPS), Laws and Rules and Certified Food Manager certifications, as required, as implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services within 12 months of appointment and/or before attaining permanent status in the class.

Occasional travel required.

Must reside in required county(ies) throughout employment in this position.

This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of s.112.313, F.S., and Section 60L - 36.003, Florida Career Service Rules and Regulations.

NOTES:

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

JOB DUTIES:

Responsible for conducting regulatory inspections of food establishments including, but not limited to, establishments engaged in manufacturing, processing, packing, holding, or preparing foods at wholesale or retail, including foods that require a Special Process Approval at retail. Responsible for assignment and co-ownership of requests in the electronic inspection system. Conducts Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) reviews in association with the COOL cooperative agreement with the USDA. Collects samples to be analyzed under the Pesticide Data Program cooperative agreement with the USDA.

Responsible for conducting regulatory inspections of food establishments under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) as set forth Chapter 500, 502, or 583 Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code, for compliance with regulatory, sanitation and consumer protection requirements. Utilizes a risk-based approach to evaluate processing methods, production controls, equipment design, structural design and maintenance, and personnel practices to assure that foods for human consumption are safe and prepared, packed, distributed and stored under sanitary conditions. Performs inspections/reviews, as required, for contract or cooperative agreement programs with federal partners including, but not limited to, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Performs opening inspections on food establishments, evaluating and assessing the food processes and activities conducted to determine the requirements for the specific business. Utilizes science-based knowledge to determine compliance with environmental and sanitation regulations for processes. Performs joint inspections/investigations with FDA and other federal, state and local agencies as appropriate. Prepares reports to document regulatory deficiencies, interprets and explains significance of public health laws, rules and sanitation and safety standards to food establishment personnel, advising management of the necessary corrective action as part of each inspection. Initiates stop sale orders, stop use orders, destruction reports, release notices, and movement of goods under stop sale orders when indicated by inspection findings. Assists as needed in other territories and districts. Provides support to the State Hemp Program.

Responsible for other inspection functions including, but not limited to: investigation of consumer complaints; follow-up reporting; food- borne illness investigations; information requests from consumers; opening inspections for new businesses; special inspections of fire or flood damaged food establishments; inspection of foods in vehicles involved in accidents; disaster surveillance; and other tasks as may be designated by the bureau or district supervisor. Independently exercises professional judgment and institutes appropriate enforcement actions while discharging his or her responsibilities. Uses effective judgment, knowledge of statutes and rules involved, and awareness of legal implications for compliance with regulations, sanitation, cleanliness, labeling and other food safety regulations and related requirements. Interviews and takes statements and affidavits from coworkers, industry, consumers, and other government officials regarding issues of alleged violation of Florida Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code. Provides testimony, documentation and/or affidavits to support search and seizure warrants and/or prosecution through administrative, regulatory, civil and criminal hearings as required. Some tasks will require evening, weekend and/or holiday activity, including overnight and/or extended travel.

Responsible for inspecting and testing foods for compliance with consumer protection standards. Conducts inspections and reports the results of testing of foods using various test procedures and methods for compliance with consumer protection standards using sampling methods required by each procedure to insure statistically valid findings. Related tasks include, but are not limited to, the review of food labels for misrepresentation and inclusion of mandatory consumer information, evaluation of advertising matter for possible product misrepresentation, selection of food samples for laboratory analysis, and investigation and collection of food and environmental samples when circumstances indicate possible food adulteration or other violations of the law. Responsible for the operation, calibration and maintenance of inspection test equipment including, but not limited to, thermometers, sanitizer test kits, ph meters, and associated equipment and reagents.

Administrative functions include the preparation and timely submission of accurate and complete inspection reports, sample collection reports, food permit applications, consumer complaint reports, daily activity reports, travel vouchers, expense vouchers, supply requisitions and other documents as may be required. Responsible for attending training sessions and courses as designated. Responsible at all times for following department policies and procedures and conducting official duties in a professional manner as a representative of FDACS. Performs other related duties as may be assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.

• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

• Ability to use technical critical thinking skills.

• Ability to maintain expertise in pathogenic microbial organisms associated with food-borne disease.

• Ability to operate a computer to access, input and retrieve electronic information.

• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.

• Ability to interpret rules and regulations.

• Knowledge of program goals, strategies, policies and procedures of the department.

• Skill in completing and maintaining accurate records.

• Maintains a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the electronic inspection system.

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 visit www.myfrs.com;)

• Flexible Spending Accounts;

• Tuition waivers;

• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the "Total Compensation Estimator Tool" located above under the "Posting Closing Date."

SPECIAL NOTES:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.

Location:

ALACHUA, FL, US, 32315 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34232 BRADENTON, FL, US, 34205 ELLENTON, FL, US, 34222 PALMETTO, FL, US, 34221 LEHIGH ACRES, FL, US, 33971 FT MYERS BEACH, FL, US, 33931 NAPLES, FL, US, 34114 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34285 NAPLES, FL, US, 34112 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34243 FORT MYERS, FL, US, 33994 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34236 NAPLES, FL, US, 34108 NAPLES, FL, US, 34104 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34234 FORT MYERS, FL, US, 33966 PLANTATION, FL, US, 33313 PALMETTO, FL, US, 34220 TERRA CEIA, FL, US, 34250 VENICE, FL, US, 34285 VENICE, FL, US, 34292 PALMETTO, FL, US, 34280 VENICE, FL, US, 34293 FORT MYERS, FL, US, 33919 NAPLES, FL, US, 31112 NAPLES, FL, US, 34103 CAPE CORAL, FL, US, 33990 FORT MYERS, FL, US, 33912 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34240 BONITA SPRINGS, FL, US, 34135 NAPLES, FL, US, 34113 IMMOKALEE, FL, US, 34142 FT MYERS, FL, US, 33905 COPELAND, FL, US, 34137 CAPE CORAL, FL, US, 33909 NAPLES, FL, US, 34120 NAPLES, FL, US, 34101 ESTERO, FL, US, 33928 NORTH FORT MYERS, FL, US, 33903 BONITA SPRINGS, FL, US, 34134 NAPLES, FL, US, 34119 NAPLES, FL, US, 33327 NAPLES, FL, US, 34109 FORT MYERS, FL, US, 33908 BRADENTON, FL, US, 33870 FORT MYERS, FL, US, 33916 BRADENTON, FL, US, 34203 FT MYERS, FL, US, 33901 CAPE CORAL, FL, US, 33904 FORT MYERS, FL, US, 33902 BRADENTON, FL, US, 34208 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34239 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34233 FORT MYERS, FL, US, 33907 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34237 NAPLES, FL, US, 33962 BRADENTON, FL, US, 34211 MYAKKA CITY, FL, US, 34251 FT MYERS, FL, US, 33913 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34241 FORT MYERS, FL, US, 33913 BRADENTON, FL, US, 34212 LEHIGH ACRES, FL, US, 33973 NAPLES, FL, US, 34117 PLANTATION, FL, US, 33324 NAPLES, FL, US, 34102 NORTH PORT, FL, US, 34287 OSPREY, FL, US, 34229 NAPLES, FL, US, 34144 SARASOTA, FL, US, 34231