Environmental Health Specialist - Onsite

Primary Purpose

The primary responsibility of this position is the promotion of public health through surveillance, inspection, consultation, education, and enforcement of environmental health laws and regulations.

Essential Functions

• Conduct land evaluations of proposed dwelling sites for on-site wastewater disposal systems and water supply installations. Assessments are based on soil porosity, type, structure, particle size, water table, topography, land area, existing structures, water supply sources, and numerous other considerations for dependable accuracy in judgments for land use. Issues Construction Authorizations and Improvement Permits when applicable. Educate the public concerning the need for proactive environmental programs and how they protect the public's health.
• Design on-site sewage treatment systems for private residences and commercial buildings that meet existing conditions as described above. Provide acceptable alternative sewage system designs when environmental conditions dictate. Educate the public about these systems and the role environmental health plays in public health. Issues Improvement Permits, CA's on property that has been determined to be suitable or provisionally suitable for new systems and repairs.
• Evaluate and inspect sewage treatment system installations to determine their ability to meet standards and provide environmentally safe wastewater treatment. Issues Operation Permits when applicable.
• Evaluate and educate owners concerning failing existing subsurface sewage treatment systems. Provide acceptable designs for corrective action; also determine acceptability of alternative installation.
• Respond to Requests for Service including consultative visits concerning wells, water supply, sewage treatment, solid waste disposal, insects and vectors, swimming pools, tattoo parlors, child care facilities, and other varied complaints. Educate the public, provide recommendations and/or issue official notices, if necessary. Follow-up visits are made to ensure compliance with appropriate regulations.
• Collect GPS (Global Positioning System) data during field visits to new or existing septic systems and wells during performance of other listed duties. Correct and check-in the GPS data into departmental geodatabases.
• Assist individuals in siting and permitting locations for proposed private drinking water well installations. Issue permits for the installation, construction, location, repair and replacement of Private Drinking Water Wells in Craven County. Provide inspections of private wells to assure compliance with design criteria and current regulations.
• Consult with and assist individual well owners suspecting contamination of their water supply. Collect water samples and explain results of analyses. Educate and provide appropriate guidance when necessary.
• Responsible for assisting the environmental health supervisors in preparation for and consultation with land developers, soil scientists, engineers and contractors relating to land evaluations, modifications, surface and subsurface drainage requirements and possible restrictions for further development.
• Responsible for preparing reports, compiling soil reports, correspondence relating to federal and conventional home loans and correlating information as required by Federal, State, and Local Regulations. Also, responsible for other documentation as determined by management staff.
• Assist in the development of and presenting of educational programs.
• Conduct surveys of mobile home parks, subdivisions, high-density areas, etc. to assure environmental quality and compliance with environmental rules and regulations.
• Travel as needed to perform job responsibilities.
• Responsible for completion of other duties as may be assigned by members of the management team.
• Conduct state mandated periodic inspections of existing large, innovative, alternative, complex and/or effluent pump septic systems to ensure proper performance and prolonged life of the systems. Provide education and promote public health through interaction with system owners and certified system operators. Identify failures and consult with owner and operators about approved repair options. Implement enforcement procedures for mismanaged systems. Review engineered plans, groundwater monitoring results and inspection reports. Organize and maintain all information pertaining to each system and provide written correspondence to homeowners, certified operators, engineers and state regulators.
• Determine the suitability of existing onsite sewage treatment systems to accept replacement residences, foundation additions, and/or detached structures. Ensure original conditions of Improvement Permits and Construction Authorizations are adhered to, setback requirements are met, and that systems are not visibly failing at time of inspection. Design and issue permits for alteration, repair, or relocation of existing septic systems as needed for compliance. Educate system owners on best management practices for the existing on-site systems.
• Assist in performing pre- and post- disaster activities. Prepare informational handouts and necessary equipment prior to onset of emergency events. Distribute handouts and educate victims on the importance of maintaining proper emergency sanitation practices during recovery efforts. Perform visual surveillance of affected areas and relay information to emergency management personnel. Assist in inspection of water supply wells and on-site sewage treatment systems following disaster events. Assist in staffing the environmental health hotline to address public health questions and concerns after emergency events.
• Assist the Mosquito Surveillance Program for Craven County Health Department in trap set up, distribution, retrieval, and cleaning of mosquito traps, as needed. Assist with identifying mosquitoes, as time allows. Obtain continuing education pertaining to mosquito surveillance and identification.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree or postgraduate degree from a program that is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC); or

Bachelor's degree or postgraduate degree in public health and one year of experience in the field of environmental health practice; or

Bachelor's degree or postgraduate degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences and one year of experience in the field of environmental health practice. Special Requirements Must be eligible to meet the requirements for registration or license as an Environmental Health Specialist as outlined in Article 4, Chapter 90A of the NC General Statutes. G.S. 153A-94.2(b) Subject to SBI criminal history record check prior to hire. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Thorough working knowledge of environmental health rules, laws and concepts. Working knowledge of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) safety guidelines. General knowledge of modern office procedures and equipment. Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with clients while enforcing public health laws and regulations. Ability to record and deliver information to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently. Ability to safely use and properly care for tools, equipment, and materials used to complete the functions of the job. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Additional Information

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including motor vehicles, hand soil auger, tile probe, common hand tools, etc. Must be able to walk to a job site over rough terrain, wooded areas and/or through overgrown areas. Must possess the ability to traverse open ditches. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly to frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects and/or carry equipment. Work Environment Standard office setting and outdoor field environment. Outdoor field environment involves moderate risks or discomforts requiring special safety precautions such as working under extreme weather conditions.