Environmental Health Specialist-Food, Lodging, and Institutional Facilities*

Environmental Health Specialist

The Orange County Health Department has an opening for an Environmental Health Specialist in the Food, Lodging and Institutional Facilities Division. The work is primarily responsible for performing professional environmental health work in the area of food safety, lodging and institutional facilities. Work includes the promotion of public health through education, surveillance, consultation, inspection, and enforcement of Federal, State and local environmental health laws and regulations.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Environmental Health Supervisor, with leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work and in making decisions public health needs and requests. Supervision is not a responsibility of this class. Does related work as required.

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the residents we serve. Each position is a key contributor to the work in the department to address systemic racial inequities and prevent discrimination on the basis of race, age, color, disability, national origin, or sex. This work requires us to confront inequities of the past, reveal inequities of the present and develop effective strategies to move all of us towards an equitable future for all people in Orange County. A pre-employment drug screen and background check is required.

Minimum qualifications include graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree with major course work in biology, environmental health or a related field including a minimum of 30 semester hours (or as stated in NC GS 90A-53) in physical or biological sciences and coursework in environmental health science AND two years' experience in the field of environmental health; OR for Trainee status, graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in environmental health from a program accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula of the National Environmental Health Association AND one (1) year of environmental health experience will be considered.

A higher degree does not substitute for work experience. Experience in restaurant, lodging or institutional facilities inspections is preferred. Experience with childcare and public swimming pools highly preferred.

Special requirements include possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid Driver License issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated. All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of a background check and pre-employment drug testing. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared. Must possess or be able to obtain Registered Sanitarian certification by the North Carolina Board of Sanitarian Examiners within twelve (12) months of hire. Requires delegation of authority by NC Department of Health & Human Services to administer state rules and laws in the appropriate program area(s). May be required to possess additional certification(s) as deemed necessary by the Environmental Health Director.

Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.