Environmental Health Specialist- Food & Lodging

Environmental Health Specialist

Transylvania County Public Health is looking for an Environmental Health Specialist to join the team! This is professional environmental health work in the promotion of public health through education, surveillance, consultation, inspection, and enforcement of state, local, and federal environmental health laws, and regulations. Employees may work as generalists with responsibility in a variety of environmental health programs, but the primary focus of this role is dedicated to performing activities throughout the county regarding all Food Protection and Lodging programs. Employees typically consult with Environmental Health Program Specialists, Environmental Health Program Coordinators, or Environmental Health Supervisors on more complex issues.

Essential Functions

• Employee may work in various environmental health regulatory programs within the department as needed.
• Primary focus dedicated to performing activities throughout the county regarding all Food Protection and Lodging programs.
• Inspection of Public Pools, Tattoo Facilities and Child Care Programs.
• Carry out various local and State regulations to protect Public Health when required.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Physical Demand This position involves moderate physical activity and requires employee to work outdoors at times. Must maintain driving privileges to carry out position duties. Subject to be called to work during natural or man-made disasters.

Work Environment Work may be performed both inside and outside. Employees may have contact with antagonistic or uncooperative members of the public, and decisions rendered in some cases can result in considerable emotional stress. Hazards- Employees may be exposed to emotional stress, insects, animals, moving machinery, hot grease, sharp objects, inclement weather, slippery floors, traffic, communicable diseases, or other environmental hazards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of environmental health procedures, policies, statutes, and rules, as well as job-specific program areas.
• Considerable knowledge of public health law, microbiology, biology, chemistry, food science, epidemiology, soil science, and basic engineering technology as applied to environmental health practices.
• Working knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies involved in environmental health work.
• Working knowledge of the interrelationship between socio-economic factors and environmental health concerns.
• Working knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques as applied in environmental health.
• Ability to analyze and comprehend a wide variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and deal tactfully with a wide range of public contacts while enforcing public health laws and regulations.
• Ability to educate business and property owners and the consuming public in matters related to protecting and promoting public health.
• Ability to present formal environmental health training programs.
• Ability to develop and express ideas and opinions concisely, comprehensively, and clearly in oral and written form.
• Ability to independently plan and schedule work activities.
• Ability to apply environmental health standards, guidelines, statutes, rules, knowledge, and techniques in the investigation of environmental health problems

Education and Experience

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

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Driver's License valid in the State of North Carolina.
• Must be eligible to meet requirements for registration or license as an Environmental Health Specialist as outlined in Article 4, Chapter 90A of the NC General Statutes.
• Registered as a Sanitarian by the N.C. State Board of Sanitarian Examiners or meet the requirements of an Environmental Health Specialist Intern that has obtained a temporary certificate of registration from the Board.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid North Carolina Driver's License
• Successful completion of SBI background check with required fingerprinting by Sheriff Office. (Instructions issued by HR at pre-boarding)
• Successful completion of Transylvania County standard background check. (Instructions issued by HR at pre-boarding)
• Successful completion of drug screening. (Instructions issued by HR at pre-boarding)