Environmental Health Specialist I/II

Environmental Health Specialist

Protect Public Health. Serve Your Community. Build Your Career

Join El Paso County Public Health as an Environmental Health Specialist and help protect the health and safety of our community. This rewarding role within the Retail Food Establishment Program offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through inspections, investigations, education, and outreach.

In this position, you will:

• Conduct inspections of restaurants and other regulated facilities
• Investigate complaints and foodborne illness outbreaks
• Educate businesses and the public on health and safety regulations
• Promote compliance with public health standards
• Support community outreach and health protection efforts

Grow Your Career

This role offers a clear career progression path, starting as an Environmental Health Specialist I, advancing to Environmental Health Specialist II, and ultimately providing the opportunity to move into a Lead Environmental Health Specialist position. Along the way, you will build deep expertise in environmental health, public education, and regulatory compliance.

Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm or 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, with occasional travel

Environmental Health Specialist I

Full Salary Range: $55,370.00 - $ 80,410.00 annually Hiring Range: $ 62,801.00 - $ 65,801.00 annually

Environmental Health Specialist II

Full Salary Range: $59,380.00 - $89,050.00 Annually Hiring Range: $66,801.00 - $70,801.00 Annually

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Conducts inspections of industrial, commercial, public, or private facilities to ensure continued compliance with public health standards. Notifies owners or operators of deficiencies or violations; maintains records of contacts made and conditions encountered. Performs data entry of inspection results and reports findings to appropriate parties.

Collects environmental health-related samples such as food, air, water, or vectors.

Monitors environmental interfaces of animal to human diseases.

Reviews design plans for the construction of on-site wastewater treatment systems and inspects sites throughout installation process as assigned; reviews soil and site classifications and approves/disapproves results submitted.

Educates owners, operators, and the public on environmental health issues and regulations.

Prepares written and verbal reports. Enters findings, including daily activities, into electronic database.

Conducts pre-operational inspections for regulated facilities. Investigates routine and non-routine complaints. Provides follow-up action.

Obtains compliance with public health laws and regulations through administrative enforcement procedures. Works with the Division Leadership to expedite enforcement action.

Participates in committees related to program activities and responsibilities.

Participates in community outreach and news media/social media activities to promote health protection and understanding and support of environmental health programs.

Participates in departmental emergency planning and response activities.

Promotes public health within the community.

Takes personal responsibility to provide exceptional customer service in order to promote and maintain a positive Public Health image, constructive working environment, and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.

Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of principles, techniques, practices, and procedures as related to environmental health.
• Knowledge, understanding, and compliance of El Paso County and agency policies and procedures.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks and the ability to complete projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to learn environmental rules, regulations, and statutes.
• Ability to exercise professionalism, tact, and courtesy in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, outside agencies, and the public. Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to respond in a flexible manner and reprioritize work as situations change.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.
• Ability to identify problems and work creatively to resolve them, considering the impact of actions.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely and maintain accurate records and reports to meet management objectives.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to perform under pressure and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
• Ability to travel using own transportation on a daily basis.
• Ability to identify potential problems, develop and recommend corrective actions and assess the resulting effort to correct problems.
• Ability to maintain the security of sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficiency in using a computer and various software packages, including Microsoft Office, and performing accurate data entry.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent education.

Environmental Specialist II:

• Two years of experience in governmental environmental health, an environmental health related field or work with governmental compliance, including conducting inspections or investigations.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, including reading, writing, speaking, and translation.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Relevant certifications to assigned program preferred.
• For retail food establishment program:
• FDA Food Code-compliant Standardization Certificate for Retail Food Establishment preferred.
• For other Environmental Health Programs:
• Relative certifications or successful completion of program specific training preferred.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.

Work Conditions

Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and terrain. Travel is required; work may be assigned in various locations. Position is subject to call-out 24 hours per day 7 days per week. May be required to climb ladders and climb into and out of trenches and other excavations. Work environment may contain potential exposure to hazardous conditions including but not limited to electrical, chemical and biological. Public Health employees are responsible for providing proof of vaccinations and/or tuberculosis testing as applicable to the specific position and must provide proof of completion of required vaccinations/testing or proof of initiation within sixty days of hire date.

El Paso County is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer.

El Paso County adheres to Federal drug screening guidelines and requires a pre-employment drug screen.

Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave
• 11 paid holidays
• Onsite health centers
• Onsite fitness centers
• Reach Your Peak wellness program
• Short and long term disability
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts to include dependent care
• Employee assistance program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement plan
• Deferred compensation (457b)