Environmental Health Specialist

Job Description

Job Description : \n\nSalary : EHS I : $24.33 - $30.00 per hour EHS II : $28.00 - $35.00 per hour Are you someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, values independence, and has a knack for managing time like a pro? If you're ready to take on a role that blends fieldwork, public service, and community impact, CG Public Health invites you to explore an exciting opportunity as an Environmental Health Specialist. Your work will touch many aspects of daily life. Primary programs you'll work in are retail food inspections and septic system oversight. Youll evaluate licensed food facilities, ensuring compliance with regulations. Your role investigates complaints and helps entities with corrective actions, including those related to foodborne illness. To protect public health and the environment, youll permit, assess, and design residential septic systems as part of this role. Other programs you may be a part of include pool, spa, and tattoo inspections, testing private wells for contaminants and interpreting results for residents, and nuisance investigations. Expect a dynamic mix of fieldwork and office time. You'll be out inspecting sites, talking with business owners, and educating the public, then back at your desk documenting findings and writing reports. No two days are the same, and every day brings the chance to make a meaningful contribution to public welfare. Ongoing education is part of the job, keeping you sharp and informed. If you're tech-savvy, a clear communicator (in writing and in person), can follow procedures with precision, and bring a proactive mindset, we want to talk with you. Lets build a healthier tomorrow, together. This position may be filled at the Environmental Health Specialist I or II level, based on qualifications and experience. Salary range will vary accordingly. Job Description Environmental Health & Preparedness Division Reports To : Environmental Health & Preparedness Manager Division Manager : Jodi Willemsen FLSA Status : Non-Exempt, Full Time 40 hours per week Expected Work Week : Monday Friday, 8 : 00 am 4 : 30 pm; Overtime as required Qualifications Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelors degree in natural or other sciences; with experience in the field. However, an equivalent combination of experience and education substituting one year of full-time professional work in an environmental, food sanitation or other relevant program for each year of the required education that will have provided the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered. Responsibilities : Perform environmental health inspections and investigate complaints to verify compliance with state and local regulations. .Perform site inspections and make professional judgements as it relates to retail food establishments, schools, swimming pools, spas, hotels, on-site water and sewage disposal systems, potential nuisances, lead, healthy homes and other programs assigned. .Collect samples in accordance with established program procedures.Interpret sample results and determine appropriate response to problematic results.Inform and educate facility officials and others of inspection or test results and any corrective measures needed for achieving satisfactory conditions. Initiate, negotiate and implement enforcement to resolve noncompliance issues.Applies and enforces county, city, and / or state laws, ordinances, statutes, policies, and regulations. Determines compliance with and enforces environmental health laws and rules for environmental programs.Meets with business owners / managers to present and discuss findings and determine the plan of action for abating violations that were cited during the inspection.Perform follow-up inspections or testing as required to monitor correction of unsatisfactory conditions.Maintain status records and initiate legal enforcement action as the situation warrants.Provide factual testimony in formal legal proceedings or provide case support to the legal community as required. Investigate environmental health violations, complaints, or possible causes of illness..Respond to complaints, reports and other violations in a timely manner.Follow existing protocol to respond to animal bites, potential nuisance cases, potential foodborne illness and other programs.Perform investigations into possible causes of illnesses and complete reports in a timely manner.Participate in epidemiological response teams in the instance of an outbreak.Obtain facts, evidence and samples needed in abatement and control requirements.Record and report findings and the proposed corrective measures needed. Review and prepare applications, permits, and licenses.Review permit & license applications for approval; perform inspections and investigations of sites, as necessary.Review, analyze, and interpret various plans and reports as required.Review site plans to ensure compliance with current environmental health policies, laws, and regulations. Provide technical assistance and expertise.Provide consultation to the public, regulated community, and enforcement personnel to interpret current policies, laws, and regulations.Gather, analyze and report environmental health data (e.g.,planning & zoning, radon, GIS).Advise on methods of meeting and maintaining sanitary requirements.Attend meetings with community groups to establish rapport and provide education on environmental health topics for the purpose of improving environmental health compliance and awareness.Attend agency and state meetings, trainings, or conferences to maintain knowledge of current environmental health programs. Prepare and maintain records, databases, and equipment.Provide full and complete documentation of all inspection and investigation activities.Enter required reports, inspections, and activities in databases and submit to appropriate entities.Manage equipment and supply inventories to conduct monitoring and inspections.Perform proper, professional, and truthful finance collection from fees and fines.Prepare and issue compliance letters and other general correspondence as required.Calibrate equipment as necessary.Other duties as assigned. In addition to the responsibilities above, Environmental Health Specialist II staff are expected to : Have experience in their programs to a level where they perform duties with a higher level of independence and minimal supervision (generally 2 or more years of experience).Coordinate and oversee environmental health initiatives, program deliverables, and grant vouching / invoicing.Assist with program planning, evaluation, policy development, and budget monitoring.Provide guidance, training, and mentoring to less experienced staff and interns.Prepare advanced technical reports and make professional judgments on complex situations. Education and Experience Preferred : Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelors degree in natural or other sciences; with experience in the field. However, an equivalent combination of experience and education, substituting one year of full-time professional work in an environmental, food sanitation, or other relevant program for each year of the required education that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, will be considered. Public health core competencies are the central knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the public health workforce to practice effectively and achieve the core functions of public health. Core competencies required for this position include : communication skills, cultural competency skills, community dimensions of practice skills, analytical / assessment skills, policy development / program planning skills, public health sciences skills, leadership, and systems thinking skills. Public Health Preparedness : Ability to gain knowledge of public health, EMS and hospital preparedness issues. Knowledge of the Incident Command System and National Incident Management System. Must achieve NIMS competency training compliancy. Employee will report to public health for emergency response as requested by the health director. Training / Continuing Education Requirements : As approved by the Division Manager, must attend 24 contact hours annually of county-funded, qualifying, and approved continuing educationCompletion of National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) trainings : IS-100, IS-200 & IS-700Bloodborne Pathogen and Tuberculosis TrainingDependent upon assigned duties, any or all of the following trainings may be required : New Sanitarian TrainingServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager CourseCurriculum for Retail Food Safety Inspection OfficersState Standardized Food InspectorPrivate Well Water Permitting, Construction, TestingOn-site Waste-Water System Permitting, InstallationLead Abatement ContractorLead InspectorSampling Technician - LeadInstrument Operator Training - LeadCertified Pools & Spa OperatorGISRadon Measurement Professional Certification Certification Requirements : Dependent upon Environmental Health Specialist roles, any or all of the following certificates may be required : Successful completion of inspector training program for food safety from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.Successful completion of the Lead Inspector program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (if assigned to lead investigations).Successful completion of the Certified Pool Operator program.Radon Measurement Professional Certification. Optional Certification Incentives : As approved by the Division Manager, an approved and applicable certification listed per the CG Public Health Employee Handbook or Managers Guide. Physical Requirements : This position requires the employee to constantly stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and to talk or hear. Position may exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1 / 3 of the time) and / or exert a negligible amount of force frequently (from 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Position involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Frequently will reach with hands or arms. Employee will occasionally be required to carry or lift up to 50 pounds and will frequently carry or lift up to 35 pounds. Employee will occasionally sit, climb, balance, taste, or smell. The individual will be required to have corrected 20 / 40 vision, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth vision, and ability to adjust focus. Special Requirements : Knowledge of modern environmental health practices, techniques, and programs.Knowledge of county and state laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations relating to environmental health;Knowledge of agency policies and procedures (may be developed after employment). Knowledge of environmental health principles and practices..Skilled in enforcing environmental health regulations in a firm but tactful manner.Effective written and verbal communication skills to allow effective communication with fellow employees and the public.Investigative technique, critical thinking, problem solving skills.Skilled in reading, interpreting, applying policies, regulations and procedures regarding environmental inspections and compliance.Skilled in providing instruction, guidance, consultation in correction of environmental problems.Ability to present, explain, and discuss the field of environmental health before small and large groups.Ability to gain compliance with environmental health laws, regulations, and ordinances with a minimal amount of formal legal enforcement.Ability to work harmoniously with co-workers, other organizations and agencies, and the general public.Ability to read, comprehend, and apply technical material and follow instruction.Ability to read, interpret, and implement laws and regulations as well as communicate those laws and regulations to a wide variety of audiences.Ability to plan, organize, and implement programs and projects.Ability to take accurate notes, including notes to be used in legal proceedings.Ability to utilize phone and computer applications.Represents CG Public Health in a professional manner.Follows various policies such as completing time studies, confidentiality, attending staff meetings, personnel policies, etc.Respects the rights of persons visiting CG Public Health. Environmental Adaptability : The job will create occasional environmental exposure to wet or humid conditions, extreme cold or heat (non-weather), pets within the home, pet dander and waste, secondhand smoke, work in high, precarious places, possibility of explosions, and vibration. There will be frequent environmental exposure due to work near moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, outdoor weather conditions, steady and impulse noises or 85 decibels and greater, communicable disease and human waste. Constant environmental potential exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. In addition, should a public health disaster arise, possible risks may also include exposure to biological agents, toxic gases, chemicals, radiological agents, and explosions.Demonstrate adaptability and resilience when faced with environmental challenges, including the presence of pests.Follow established protocols and guidelines for managing pest-related issues when working in clients homes. Must have a valid Iowa Driver's License and have reliable transportation. Must be insurable for driving under county insurance company policies. Applicant will be subject to post offer, pre-employment drug and physical testing, CRT, reference checks, as well as a criminal background check. Cerro Gordo County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Cerro Gordo County is subject to and has adopted a policy in compliance with the 2008 Smokefree Air Act. The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.