SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST - 79011364

Our Organization and Mission

The Division of Hotels and Restaurants (H&R) licenses, inspects, and regulates public lodging and food service establishments in Florida under Chapter 509, Florida Statutes (FS). The division also licenses and regulates elevators, escalators and other vertical conveyance devices under Chapter 399, FS. The division’s three bureaus – Sanitation and Safety Inspections, Licensing, and Elevator Safety – comprise a team of approximately 360 personnel fulfilling the regulatory obligations of the division throughout the state.

Our Mission is to protect the health and safety of the public by providing the industry with quality inspections and fair regulation.

The Work You Will Do

This position is located with the Division of Hotels and Restaurants and conducts sanitation and safety inspections of hotels and restaurants and investigations of food-borne illness complaints.

• Conduct inspection and inspection related activities.
• Conduct regulatory, standardized inspections of public food service establishments and lodging facilities for compliance with environmental health and sanitation regulations, and other safety or sanitation-related areas as deemed necessary.
• Investigate food borne illness and environmental sanitary nuisance complaints and investigate and take administrative action against unlicensed activity. Work with other city, county and state agency officials to secure compliance with state regulations.
• Participate in the inspection and licensing of temporary events.
• Conduct routine inspections using an iPad and prepare accurate facility inspection reports documenting safety, sanitation, and misrepresentation violations, as well as daily activity reports, timesheets, and travel reimbursement reports.
• Prioritize all assigned work according to department guidelines to ensure compliance with state laws and rules.
• Prepare and submit legal documents to secure compliance through administrative actions by following department guidelines and also attend and testify as needed in formal and informal hearings. Delivers legal documents in person to facility operators to secure *“Good Service”*as required.
• Communicate with the district office and supervisor as necessary or required.
• Maintain Continuing Education Units, Certified Food Manager Certification, FDA standardization and Florida driver’s license.
• Maintain state issued equipment in proper working condition.
• Participate in meetings and training sessions as required.
• Provide a high standard of customer service.
• Perform other work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws and rules pertaining to sanitation and safety inspections.
• Ability to work on a team and participate in team activities.
• Ability to stand for long periods, bend, lift, climb, stoop, and carry work equipment.

Minimum Requirements

• Valid driver license.
• Must be able to stand for long periods; bend, lift, climb, stoop, and carry work equipment.
• Must be willing and able to work weekends and evenings as required for routine or special inspection requirements and inspection/licensing of temporary events.
• Must be willing and able to drive a state vehicle or your personal vehicle (with reimbursement) to perform the duties of this position.
• Must be willing to accept employment at the advertised salary.
• Must be willing and able to work in high crime areas to inspect substandard housing and enter locations with vermin, sewage, or other sanitary hazards when necessary.
• Must be willing and able to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (with a one-hour lunch break).

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will be given to applicants with two or more years of industry-related experience (food service and/or lodging experience).

• Preference will be given to applicants with an Associate or higher degree in culinary or hospitality management.

*Industry-related experience is considered to be hotel or restaurant management, restaurant or lodging operations, field or laboratory experience in environmental or public health, food sanitation or quality control.*

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 p