Grand Traverse County is a team of passionate and incredible people who are committed to providing responsive, effective quality service to our up-north community. We strive to be a leader in innovative, effective, collaborative, and sustainable county government. We offer stable work environments and competitive salaries to both full- time and part-time employees. Understanding the many challenges facing today's professionals and families, we offer a competitive compensation package including an impressive list of benefits and time off.

Job Description:

Primary functions of the job are to protect the health of the public and the environment by enforcing applicable laws and ordinances under the authority of the Health Officer. Duties include conducting field inspections, reviewing, and evaluating plans, initiating enforcement proceedings, responding to complaints, educating establishment owners and the public. Employees in this job have no formal supervisory role, however, work as part of a team and are responsible for ensuring that the team meets its objectives.

Employees must meet the minimum requirements, conditions of employment, and be able to successfully perform all essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations. Candidates who have obtained a REHS/RS certification may qualify for Sanitarian II wage, listed below.

This position may require irregular hours. It will also require travel by the employee in the employee's own vehicle or other means of transportation.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (may include but are not limited to the following)

Enforces the County Sanitary Code and applicable State Public Health laws within an assigned area of responsibility.
Performs on-site inspections and evaluates premises having public health significance, such as food service establishments, food vending machines, schools, public swimming pools, bathing beaches, hospitals, nursing homes, dwellings, workplaces, childcare facilities, camps, mobile home parks, waste disposal facilities, private water supplies, and sites of alleged public health nuisances.
Reviews plans and permit applications for applicable establishments, sites, and/or other applicable items to ensure compliance with applicable public health regulations, codes, and laws.
Performs follow-up actions, including letters and re-inspections of sites, regarding non-compliance issues and ensures appropriate corrective action.
Reviews a variety of data to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, codes, and laws and makes recommendations based on findings.
Provides assistance and guidance to individuals and agencies with environmental problems, including indoor air quality issues, and explains the programs of the agency to interested citizen groups.
Represents the Public Health Department regarding environmental health activities within an assigned area
Participates in developing and maintaining policy and procedure manuals

EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE (minimum requirements)

Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health or a related field of science or engineering
Three months to one year of experience in the field of Environmental Health

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES

Possess qualifications to obtain certification within three years of the date of hire
Applicants who possess REHS/RS certification may qualify for Sanitarian II wage
Requires a valid driver's license and personal vehicle insurance and must maintain eligibility to drive as per the County's Vehicle policy.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (minimum requirements - legal or contractual pre- employment obligations and/or requirements, such as drug testing, background check, etc.)

A background check may be required initially and periodically for an individual hired, transferred, reclassified, promoted, or currently working in this job. Appointment to or continued employment in this job is contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include but is not limited to: confirmation of a persons' identity; review of criminal conviction records; verification of educational degree, license, or certificate required for the position; review of Department of Motor Vehicles records; Department of Justice fingerprint scan; and/or drug and alcohol testing as required and allowable by law. A satisfactory background check is defined as the absence of a criminal history record which bears a demonstrable relationship to the applicant's or employee's suitability to perform the required duties and responsibilities of the position.

May be required to serve in an "on-call" capacity

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Work involves evaluating the relevance and importance of theories, concepts, and principles to develop different approaches or tactical plans to fit specific circumstances where guidelines may not exist but are flexible and open to considerable interpretation. Independent judgment, personal discretion, and resourcefulness are needed to interpret and apply guidelines. Errors at this level could cause serious, long-term consequences involving substantial financial costs, significantly reduced service to the public, and/or negative media reaction and could impact others outside of a department and may require the intervention of an agency head to resolve.

Compared to Sanitarian II positions, this job requires less experience/expertise and successful completion of the Sanitarian Registration exam is not a minimum requirement for new employees (although employees must have the qualifications to sit for the exam within three years of hire).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

May be required to climb or balance; reach with hands and arms; sit; stand; stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk and hear; smell; use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
Position frequently works in an outdoor environment with exposure to weather-related heat and cold, rain, wind, and related elements.
May be exposed to extreme heat and cold (not related to weather), working near moving mechanical parts, risk of electrical shock, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, infectious diseases.
May occasionally be required to lift/move up to 100 pounds.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, COMPETENCIES (minimum requirements)

Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and simple mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, ratios, etc.
Basic knowledge of modern methods and practices of environmental public health
Basic knowledge of local and state laws, rules, and regulations relating to environmental health issues (such as Michigan Food Laws, Grand Traverse County Body Art Ordinance, or similar regulations)
Basic knowledge of the principles of bacteriology and chemistry as related to public health
Knowledge and ability to use a personal computer to prepare reports, maintain records, search for and compile data
Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with customers, co-workers, and representatives of other agencies
Skill in operation of modern office equipment such as personal computer, facsimile, copiers, scanners, and telephones
Physical ability to perform the job responsibilities such as walking over terrain and digging, as required by job assignment
Ability to work independently
Ability to facilitate meetings and training sessions effectively and efficiently
Ability to think analytically and apply sound judgment, solve problems, make effective decisions, and act with integrity
Ability to use sound judgment to detect unusual, harmful, or emergency situations and act accordingly
Ability to comprehend, process and apply both verbal and written skills appropriate to the job
Ability to apply and tactfully enforce complex rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
Ability to use County resources effectively and efficiently

Compensation:
Salary: $54,720.00 - $68,379.00

Grand Traverse County is a great place to live, work and play. Come join our team and experience what northern Michigan is all about, apply today!

You really should see what we have to offer:

Medical: The County offers employees a high-deductible plan through Priority Health. To help cover the cost of the deductible, Grand Traverse County will deposit a contribution amount up to $2,000 into an employee Health Savings Account every year. You may also direct deposit funds into this account every pay period.
Vision: The County provides a no cost plan for employees. We also offer an enhanced plan through EyeMed.
Dental: Our dental insurance provider is Delta Dental. You will pay no costs or premium for diagnostic and cleaning services.
Wellness: Grand Traverse County is committed to creating a culture of health. We provide a variety of incentives and programs that allow you to live a healthy lifestyle.
Employee Recognition: We highly value our employees, which we show by providing our employees awards and recognition throughout the year, and on anniversary dates.
Tuition Reimbursement: Employees are reimbursed up to $5,250 annually for enrollment in courses at an accredited college, university, or trade school.
Vacation: Grand Traverse County provides a generous amount of vacation days to benefitted employees so you can spend time with family and friends.
Holidays: The County gives you 12 days a year to celebrate holidays. Beyond these 12 days, you will receive additional floating holidays to use at your discretion.
Personal Leave: Employees receive up to 64 hours annually depending on contract, to use for appointments, take care of family needs and other personal reasons. Employees are paid every year for unused personal leave up to 40 hours.
Parental Leave: Employees may take up to 6 months of leave to begin at birth or date of adoption of their child.
Retirement: Grand Traverse County offers a defined contribution through MERS. The plan includes a generous match that fully vests after 6 years of employment. We also offer a deferred compensation 457b Plan.
Life Insurance: Benefitted employees automatically receive life insurance.
Short Term Disability: The County provides a plan through Mutual of Omaha, which pays two thirds of your salary or wages for a maximum of 182 days.
Long Term Disability: The County provides a plan through Mutual of Omaha, which pays 60 percent of your salary or wages for a maximum of 24 months.