Environmental Health Specialist I/II

Environmental Health Specialist

This position performs a variety of survey and investigational duties in the field of environmental health to determine compliance with public health laws and administrative rules, and performs related work as required. EOE/Veterans Preference. If the applicant chosen does not meet the qualifications for Environmental Health Specialist II, they must be registered with the State of Oregon as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee at the time of appointment and would then be hired as Environmental Health Specialist I until receiving their certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist. Supervisory controls of this position include work direction from the Environmental Health Department Director, independent work to compile and analyze data, and periodic review for conformance to policy and procedure.

Essential functions include inspecting food service establishments, on-site sewage disposal installations, licensed swimming pools, recreation parks, and traveler accommodations to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations. Other duties may include taking food and biological samples for laboratory analysis, keeping records of inspections, investigating complaints of public nuisances, assisting in surveys of health hazards, coordinating with health nurses, attending state-sponsored conferences, providing public assistance, receiving and recording fee payments, helping at Lytle Boulevard Landfill, investigating animal bites, and performing other public health inspections as needed.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with at least 45 quarter-hours in science courses relating to environmental health, registration with the State of Oregon as an Environmental Health Specialist, and the ability to communicate complicated concepts to facility operators and the public. Necessary special requirements include the use of a County vehicle, possession of a valid driver's license with a good driving history, some travel and seasonal weekend work.

Preferred knowledge and skills include registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist in the State of Oregon or current registration with the National Environmental Health Association, past government experience, experience working with the public, course work in soil science, soil morphology, and physical geology or geomorphology, experience working in environmental or public health, and being bi-lingual in Spanish.

Background checks will be conducted which may include criminal, DMV, pre-employment drug test, reference, certification, and education checks.