Job Description

Requisition No: 867937

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 42000914 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42000914

Salary: $60,991.58 - $73,190.00

Posting Closing Date: 01/17/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF FOOD SAFETY
BUREAU OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT

***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 Broward or Miami-Dade County.

CONTACT:

Darren Lowe

850-519-3512

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college and six (6) months of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; or engineering; or

One and a half (1.5) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or

Two (2) years of experience as described above.

Requires possession of a valid 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 and advanced training requirements stated in the Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs Standard 2 (MFRPS), 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.

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.

Occasional travel required.

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

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position.

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

JOB DUTIES:

The incumbent serves as a technical advisor to management and is also responsible for coordinating, preparing, and providing required training material needed for industry and department personnel. This position also serves as a technical advisor for the department and prepares and presents oral and written presentations to industry and department personnel. Responsible for developing and implementing the manufactured food training program in accordance with Standard 2 of the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS). Trains new manufactured food inspectors to meet the basic training requirements in Standard 2 of the MFRPS. Trains inspectors to meet advanced training requirements in MFRPS Standard 2 for each of the following: low acid canned food processing, seafood processing, acid/acidified food processing, juice processing, and other processes not previously specified which may occur in manufactured food establishments. Plans, directs and participates in field audits of manufactured food inspectors in accordance with the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) Standard 4 and FDA Field Management Directive 76 (FMD 76). Performs inspection report audits in accordance with the MFRPS Standard 4.

Responsible for conducting regulatory inspections of manufactured food establishments under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) as set forth in Chapter 500, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 5K-4, 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 in manufactured food establishments to assure that foods for human consumption are safe and prepared, packed, distributed and stored under sanitary conditions. Performs inspections and collects food and environmental samples as required under contract with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Performs opening inspections on manufactured food establishments, evaluating and assessing the food processes and activities conducted to determine the requirements for the specific business. The incumbent must utilize a high level of expertise in the microbiology of spoilage organisms and food-borne pathogens, toxicology, food production and processing procedures, good manufacturing practices and one or more of the following: low acid canned food processing, seafood processing, acid/acidified food processing, juice processing, or other processes not previously specified which may occur in manufactured food establishments. Performs inspections of manufactured food establishments in accordance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), applying current good manufacturing practices, and other applicable laws and regulations. Must be knowledgeable with the major classifications of pathogenic microbial organisms commonly associated with food-borne illness; their aerobic or anaerobic, temperature and pH reproductive requirements; typical food substrates; related control measures and apply the knowledge of these factors to the review of food safety/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans during inspections. Performs joint inspections/investigations with FDA and other federal, state and local agencies as appropriate. Prepares reports to document regulatory deficiencies, interprets and provides education 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 attending training sessions and courses as required in Standard 2 of the MFRPS, applicable train the trainer and public speaking courses, and position specific training under the incident command structure for rapid response, as designated by the bureau. 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 at all times for following department policies and procedures and conducting official duties in a professional manner as a representative of FDACS. 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. Performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of federal, state statutes, rules and regulations.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable federal, state statutes, rules and regulations.
• Ability to prepare, organize, review and submit reports and projects in a timely manner.
• 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.
• Ability to compile, organize and analyze data and make recommendations.
• Theory and applied knowledge in biological, chemical, physical and environmental factors affecting food safety and related control measures.
• Ability to evaluate food establishment structures, environment, equipment, methods and controls for compliance with regulatory and sanitation requirements.
• Skill in completing and maintaining accurate records.
• Maintains a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Food Inspection Management System (FIMS).
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.
  
  

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.