Environmental Health Specialist

Environmental Health Specialist

The Environmental Health Specialist investigates public health issues and enforces public health sanitation laws and regulations.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Inspects food service establishments, food distribution facilities, temporary food concessions, mobile units and pushcarts, etc. to determine compliance with food laws and regulations
• Inspects private on-site sewage systems for land owners and contractors to ensure proper construction and working conditions
• Inspects swimming pools, spas, and similar facilities to ensure compliance with county ordinances
• Inspects lodging facilities for safety and sanitation requirements under state regulations
• Investigates complaints involving possible environmental health ordinance violations, prepares reports and makes recommendations for corrective measures and follow-up investigations
• Confers with government, community, industrial, emergency response agencies, and private organizations to interpret and promote environmental health programs
• Collaborates with other health personnel in epidemiological investigations and control
• Conducts food handler classes to teach restaurant sanitation
• Conducts ServSafe® Food Managers classes
• Conducts Aquatics Venue Operator classes
• Collects laboratory samples as required
• Proactively provides feedback for improvements that improve quality, efficiency, cost savings, productivity, systems, and/or procedures
• Maintains accurate, organized work records, documents and files
• Maintains strict confidentiality; adheres to all HIPAA guidelines/regulations
• Reports for special assigned duties during a public health emergency, if applicable

Public health core competencies include:

• Analytical/Assessment Skills
• Policy Development/Program Planning Skills
• Communication Skills
• Cultural Competency Skills
• Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
• Public Health Sciences Skills
• Financial Planning and Management Skills
• Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

Qualifications include:

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization (30 semester hours) in biology, chemistry, bacteriology, sanitary science or closely related area, or a combination of the areas is required
• Excellent communication and computer skills are required
• On-site septic system inspection and/or installation experience preferred
• A current driver's license and auto insurance are required
• Must complete Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and Certified Pool Inspector (CPI) courses of training, as well as ServSafe® Course for Instructor & Proctor Certification within required timeframe(s)
• A minimum of 15 hours of continuing education annually is required upon hire

Physical demands include:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk, hear and use hands to perform work
• The employee is regularly required to sit, climb, balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus

Work environment includes:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and toxic or caustic chemicals
• The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation and vibration
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• Frequent travel is required to make site visits within the county and regional/metropolitan area