Environmental Health Specialist I - Food and Lodging

This job posting expires at 11:59PM on September 13, 2026. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on September 13, 2026.Job Title: Environmental Health Specialist I - Food and LodgingDepartment: Health and Human ServicesExternal Hiring Range: $27.58 - $33.18Posted Internally and ExternallyBuncombe County offers in-office, hybrid, and remote positions. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.

Buncombe County is hiring for an Environmental Health Specialist I (EHS I) position within the Food and Lodging Division. Our division enforces North Carolina laws and regulations to protect public health and the environment in Buncombe County. An EHS I conducts required inspections, responds to complaints, and performs follow-up visits in a variety of program areas, including Food, Lodging, Institutions, Public Pools, Tattoo Establishments, Childcare Centers, and School Sanitation.

The selected candidate will be part of a dedicated team of 18 Environmental Health Specialists. Once their training is complete, they will work independently as an Environmental Health Specialist I. They will be assigned a territory within Buncombe County and will be required to conduct a specific number of monthly inspections, as well as additional tasks such as follow-up visits and complaints. The inspections conducted must meet NC quality assurance standards. We are looking for individuals who possess initiative and a high attention to detail and are able to complete inspections in several different program areas with minimal errors.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed. This is a hybrid position and does not require daily reporting to an office. However, shared office space is available if needed. The selected candidate will be required to drive their personal vehicle and will be reimbursed for miles driven at the federal rate while conducting County business. In accordance with Buncombe County's remote work policy, employees must reside within a two-hour radius of the office and do not receive mileage reimbursement for their daily commute from or to their home.

Purpose of the position:
The purpose of this position is to conduct state-mandated inspections of facilities under the jurisdiction of Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) Environmental Health division to ensure compliance with public health laws and rules.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):
Graduated with a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree in Environmental Health from a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council; or graduated with a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree and earned a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences; or bachelor’s degree in public health, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Per NC Local Health Department Accreditation requirements, employees in this role must present their diploma, degree, or transcript to their supervisor/department upon hire.

Additional Training and Experience:
Most work-related skills will be developed through in-service and on-the-job training. Educational requirements in accordance with Chapter 90A must be obtained each calendar year to renew registration in order to maintain Registered Environmental Health Specialist status.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:
Registration is required by the N.C. State Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners under the provisions of Chapter 90A of the General Statues of North Carolina. Required to attend and pass the centralized training provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, must be able to pass state authorization evaluations and test for specific program areas in order to perform duties. Must pass the REHS exam within the timeframe established by the Board.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Enforce compliance with state, local, and federal environmental and public health laws, and regulations.

• Investigate environmental related complaints, health related nuisances, and reports of food borne illness and contaminated food to prevent the spread of communicable disease.

• Perform routine inspections, visits, and critical violation visits to ensure that food and lodging facilities, swimming pools, institutions, childcare centers, schools, tattoo artists and lead investigations are meeting standards as mandated by state laws and rules to reduce the incidences and threat of food borne illness, lead hazards, and other communicable disease.

• Seek corrective actions where needed and educate managers, operators and staff of various facilities and establishments on safe handling processes and sanitation procedures.

• Keep accurate and detailed inspection records as mandated by the state that include the violation observed, food code citation, and method of correction.

• Assist EPI team and other staff in the event of a food borne outbreak.

• Seek legal remedies under the advice of the program supervisor and division director to abate health nuisances or prosecute individuals for failure to comply with public health laws and rules.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Enforce compliance with state, local, and federal environmental and public health laws, and regulations.

• Investigate environmental related complaints, health related nuisances, and reports of food borne illness and contaminated food to prevent the spread of communicable disease.

• Perform routine inspections, visits, and critical violation visits to ensure that food and lodging facilities, swimming pools, institutions, childcare centers, schools, tattoo artists and lead investigations are meeting standards as mandated by state laws and rules to reduce the incidences and threat of food borne illness, lead hazards, and other communicable disease.

• Seek corrective actions where needed and educate managers, operators and staff of various facilities and establishments on safe handling processes and sanitation procedures.

• Keep accurate and detailed inspection records as mandated by the state that include the violation observed, food code citation, and method of correction.

• Assist EPI team and other staff in the event of a food borne outbreak.

• Seek legal remedies under the advice of the program supervisor and division director to abate health nuisances or prosecute individuals for failure to comply with public health laws and rules.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Working knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as a complete understanding of the concepts of public health law.

• Working knowledge of the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems, food sanitation, food borne diseases, communicable diseases, vector control, protection of water supplies, solid waste management, lead hazard identification and institutional sanitation as applicable to area of assignment.

• Working knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques as applied in environmental health.

• Working knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies involved in environmental health work.

• Ability to accurately interpret and enforce state and local laws, rules, and ordinances.

• Ability to analyze and comprehend a variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports.

• Ability to effectively communicate potential concerns and corrective measures to business and property owners and the consuming public in matters related to protecting and promoting public health.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with a wide range of the public while enforcing public health laws and regulations.

Physical Requirements: Lifting is considered medium work requiring exertion of up to 50 of force occasionally and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Position includes bending, reaching, squatting, manual dexterity, repetitive motion, and the ability to distinguish colors. Visual acuity is required, must have eyesight that allows distinction between an array of colors. This position involves significant standing, walking, and sitting for extended periods of time. The work is performed in an environment with crisis situations that require major decisions involving people, resources, and property.

Buncombe County Government offers a robust benefits package:

• 8% County contribution to employee 401(k) - you don't have to contribute anything from your paycheck

• Free physical therapy

• Employee and Family Health clinic with $5 co-pay

• $0 Tier-1 generic prescriptions

• 10+ vacation days per year

• 12 sick days & 13 paid holidays

• Flexible Spending Account

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.