Environmental Health Specialist

Duties and other assigned tasks and responsibilities are designed to meet CCPHC’s mission of delivering the essential public health services of prevention, promotion and protection to the communities of Clay County, as well as a response to the CCPHC Strategic Plan. The plan outlines our desired future and answers the questions where we want to be in the future and how do we get there. The plan is available on the Intranet, and goals assigned to staff will be linked in annual employee performance goals.  

SUMMARY  

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

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

Include the following: (Other duties may be assigned.) 

• 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  

Analytical/Assessment Skills 

• Contributes to assessments of community health status and factors influencing health in a community 
• Uses information technology in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information
• Identifies quantitative and qualitative data and information that can be used for assessing the health of a community
• Applies ethical principles in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information

Policy Development/Program Planning Skills 

• Describes implications of policies, programs, and services

• Gathers information that can inform options for policies, programs, and services Implements policies, programs, and services
• Applies strategies for continuous quality improvement
• Describes how public health informatics is used in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services

Communication Skills 

• Facilitates communication among individuals, groups, and organizations
• Solicits input from individuals and organizations for improving the health of a community
• Conveys data and information to professionals and the public using a variety of approaches
• Suggests approaches for disseminating public health data and information

Cultural Competency Skills 

• Addresses the diversity of individuals and populations when implementing policies, programs, and services that affect the health of a community
• Describes the ways diversity may influence policies, programs, services, and the health of a community
• Describes the effects of policies, programs, and services on different populations in a community

Community Dimensions of Practice Skills 

• Recognizes relationships that are affecting health in a community
• Collaborates with community partners to improve health in a community
• Engages community members to improve health in a community
• Describes the programs and services provided by governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve the health of a community

Public Health Sciences Skills 

• Describes the scientific foundation of the field of public health
• Describes how public health sciences are used in the delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services
• Describes evidence used in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services
• Retrieves evidence from print and electronic sources to support decision making

Financial Planning and Management Skills 

• Describes the structures, functions, and authorizations of governmental public health programs and organizations
• Adheres to organizational policies and procedures
• Contributes to development of program budgets and provides information for funding proposals
• Uses evaluation results to improve program and organizational performance
• Motivates colleagues for the purpose of achieving program and organizational goals
• Uses performance management systems for program and organizational improvement

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills 

• Incorporates ethical standards of practice into all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communities
• Describes public health as part of a larger inter-related system of organizations that influence the health of populations at local, national, and global levels
• Describes ways to improve individual and program performance
• Participates in professional development opportunities

QUALIFICATIONS  

• 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  

• 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  

• 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