ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Description

Primarily involved in educating the public on environmental matters, inspecting, advising on the correction of environmental problems, enforcing State and local laws relating to the environment with respect to restaurants and other food handling establishments, sewage treatment and disposal systems, swimming pools, summer camps, residential care facilities, lodging places, hospitals, nursing and rest homes, educational institutions, private, public and religious schools, child day care facilities, meat markets, public and private water supplies, jails, migrant labor, and lead poisoning.

DUTIES

· Professional environmental health work involving the promotion of public health through education, surveillance, consultation, inspection, and enforcement of State, Local, and Federal environmental health laws and regulations. General supervision is received from the Health Director who reviews work through periodic conferences and evaluations of reports submitted.

· Inspects existing septic tank installations and potential septic tank sites in complying with State regulations; analyzes efficiency of existing installations; analyzes efficiency of potential installations through site and soil analysis; inspects new installations for proper compliance with State regulations; recommends approval or disapproval of existing, potential, or newly installed septic tanks in complying with State regulations.

· Investigates complaints relating to septic systems and wells, confers with parties involved to solve or eliminate the problem and follows up on actions taken.

· Investigates problems concerning faulty well water supplies; assesses the problems in complying with State regulations; collects well water samples for bacterial and/or chemical analysis; relays findings and correctional instructions to parties involved after return of findings from the State.

· Inspects and classifies migrant labor camps, local confinement facilities, day care facilities, schools and institutions for other governmental agencies.

· Conducts lead investigations for children under the age of six to determine lead hazards in environments such as their homes, daycare, and supplemental addresses; assesses lead hazards in buildings built before 1978 that are proposed for use as childcare facilities.

· Gives presentations to organizations in the community concerning environmental health issues; attends career days and health fairs in order to provide education and information concerning environmental health issues.

· Performs re-inspections and site visits on food and lodging and child care facilities.

· Preforms related duties as assigned. Duties may also include Preparedness activities/directives as assigned by Supervisor, Director of Nursing or Health Director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

· Thorough knowledge of the geographical makeup of the County.

· Thorough knowledge of environmental health laws, rules and procedures.

· Thorough knowledge of microbiology, biology, chemistry, food science, epidemiology, soil science, etc.

· Thorough knowledge of sanitary food handling procedures and food-borne illnesses.

· Thorough knowledge of biological and environmental chemistry as they apply to environmental health programs being administered.

· Ability to read, analyze, and interpret engineering plans and drawings concerning construction and installation of septic systems and well placements.

· Ability to analyze and comprehend a wide variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports.

· Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with a wide range of public contacts while enforcing public health laws and regulations.

· Ability to independently plan and schedule work activities.

· Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with relevant publics.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from a four-year college with a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work in physical or biological sciences. Eligible to be registered as an Environmental Health Specialist or Environmental Health Specialist Intern by the NC State Board of Environmental Health Examiners.

Special Requirements

Must possess a valid driver's license. Approval for registration as an Environmental Health Specialist or Environmental Health Specialist Intern by the North Carolina Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners prior to employment. Must obtain Registered Environmental Health Specialist status within two years of employment if hired as an Intern.

This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job.

Salary : $44,617 - $77,387