Environmental Health Specialist - Food Protection Program

Summary

Employee in this position is responsible for ensuring the provision of Environmental Health services within the community, primarily in the Food Safety Program; and monitoring and maintaining the Food Safety Program policies and procedures to ensure alignment with current federal, state and local rules and regulations.

Job Duties

• Acts as technical advisor to other departmental staff, local businesses, and associated agencies and departments.
• Coordinates and performs on-site inspections and code enforcement to ensure compliance with health regulations.
• Prepares, implements and monitors a variety of work plans. Reviews applications for new and/or remodeled food service establishments.
• Investigates complaints regarding environmental health problems and hazards, and initiates enforcement or corrective actions as required.
• Provides health education and technical assistance to individuals and/or groups regarding compliance with current local public health and environmental codes, regulations, and policies. Delivers targeted, culturally appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand local policies, regulations, and code.
• Oversees preparation and presentation of reports and health advisory information to other agencies, boards, and the public.
• Organizes and conducts training in task areas to interested parties. Coordinates information and projects with related agencies and the community.
• Gathers and inputs a wide range of Environmental Health data used in a management data base; investigates and consults with physicians, laboratories and patients; performs special studies as needed.
• Monitors and implements grant requirements relevant to the area of assignment.
• May require some evening and/or weekend work and adjustments to normal working hours as required to conduct inspections.
• Performs other tasks as directed

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Valid Washington State Driver's License.
• Familiarity with tools, instruments, equipment, and techniques commonly used in the performance of job duties.
• Maintains a high standard for accuracy, completeness and efficiency in the preparation of reports.
• Ability to quickly grasp new techniques, deal with rapid changes in events, remain calm in stressful situations and relate to various personality styles in a calm, professional manner.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others via oral, written, electronic or other formats for purposes of gathering and relating information.
• Understands the need for maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Independent and self-motivated to meet required deadlines while simultaneously completing other tasks.
• Familiarity with current trends and developments in the environmental health and sanitation field.

Education, Experience & Certifications

• Graduation from a four (4) year college or university with a Bachelor of Science Degree involving major study in environmental science, public health, health science, biology, or closely related field or an equivalent number of years’ experience in the same or a similar field.
• Prior experience in Environmental Health and/or biology desirable.
• Ability to successfully complete various required training classes and to obtain certificates necessary for functional skills performance, maintenance, and improvement.
• Registered Sanitarian (RS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) certificate desirable.

* Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Island County does not provide visa sponsorship. *