Environmental Health Epidemiologist, Senior

NOTICE: This position is not covered by Social Security. Instead, SWDH employees benefit from a mandatory 401(a) retirement plan with fixed employee and employer contributions.

Are you looking for an opportunity to serve the communities of Adams, Washington, Payette, Gem, Canyon, and Owyhee counties? Do you crave a job where your work truly matters? Southwest District Health (SWDH) is recruiting for a Senior Environmental Health Specialist (Senior Environmental Health Epidemiologist) to join the dedicated group of public health professionals in the Environmental Health and Epidemiology Units within the Division of Environmental and Community Health Services.

If you crave team-oriented work, purpose, and work/life balance, you'll love it here. We're shaking up the stereotype that government work is dull. At SWDH, we're disruptors and innovators, all passionately sharing the same vision: making Southwest Idaho the best place to live, work, and play. We foster a positive, inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Our Vision, Mission & Values

• Vision: A Healthier Southwest Idaho
• Mission: To promote the health and wellness of those who live, work, and play in Southwest Idaho
• Values: Accountability, customer-focused, and teamwork influence the work we do and the difference we hope to make

As a Senior Environmental Health Epidemiologist and public health employee, you will play an active role in improving the health and wellness of your community. As part of a small, but mighty team, you will improve community health through disease/vector surveillance, outbreak investigation, environmental health assessments, and regulatory compliance activities. You will serve as a technical expert in environmental public health, analyze data to identify emerging risks and trends, support preparedness and response efforts, and collaborate with partners to prevent and control environmental health hazards and disease.

This position requires completion of required drone training and licensure through The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within one year of appointment.

This position may include a teleworking option from within Idaho.

Excellent Benefits

We believe in taking care of our employees-because when you thrive, our communities thrive. SWDH offers a healthy work/life balance, a culture of collaboration and empowerment, and an excellent benefits package, including PERSI (one of the BEST RETIREMENT system available in the Nation) with a lifetime benefit!

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits (Employee-only PPO coverage at $70.74/month for medical/vision and $12.08/month for dental; low-cost options for family members. Free High Deductible Health Plan for employees; low-cost for dependents.)
• Life Insurance (FREE basic coverage; optional supplemental plans)
• Generous Paid Time Off (11 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave starting immediately. (Holiday pay and accruals are prorated based on hours worked.)
• Mandatory 401(a) retirement program with 12.4% combined contributions
• Optional 401(k) and 457 Saving Plans
• Wellness Programs
• Flexible and family-supported policies, including 8 weeks paid parental leave
• Bring your canine friend to work on Fridays
• In-house fitness room and outdoor walking path
• Ongoing training opportunities
• Student Loan Forgiveness and Tuition Reimbursement!
• Easy commute with reverse traffic flow from Boise to Caldwell

Your total compensation includes more than your hourly wage. For a full-time Senior Environmental Health Epidemiologist, the base pay range of $31.85 - $37.47/hour increases to an estimated total compensation value of $46.67 - $53.53/hour when SWDH's benefit contributions are included.

Typical Duties:

Candidates must be able to complete the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and meet all the mandatory qualifications of the position.

• Investigate environmental health concerns, illnesses, and outbreaks related to food, water, air, animals, vectors, and other potential community health risks.
• Coordinate assigned surveillance programs, including rabies surveillance and blood lead monitoring.
• Analyze environmental, epidemiologic, and laboratory data to identify trends, clusters, emerging risks, and opportunities for prevention.
• Prepare reports and share findings with public health partners, community stakeholders, and the public in a clear and practical way.
• Collaborate with internal teams, laboratories, healthcare providers, and local, state, and federal partners to support investigations, surveillance, and response efforts.
• Serve as a technical resource for assigned environmental health programs by providing consultation, training, coordination, and policy recommendations.
• Conduct inspections, reviews, and complaint investigations for regulated facilities, including food establishments and other settings that may impact public health.
• Provide education, guidance, and corrective action support to regulated entities to help prevent illness, reduce risk, and support compliance.
• Support environmental public health preparedness and response efforts before, during, and after natural or manmade events.
• Use field tools, technology, and approved methods, including drones when appropriate, to assess, document, and respond to environmental health conditions.

Minimum Qualifications:

You must possess all the minimum qualifications listed below to qualify for this position. All required experience and/or education must be listed under the work history section of this application OR on your resume and must include a detailed explanation of your roles and responsibilities at each relevant employer.

Minimum Qualifications (MQ):

• Education and Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences OR successful completion of a college level algebra or higher math course and 30 semester/45 quarter hours in the basic sciences, i.e. biology, chemistry, physics, or other physical sciences as well as sanitary engineering or environmental engineering
• At least two years of public health experience with an agency to include inspecting facilities and enforcing ordinances, rules, and statutes in at least one of the following programs: food, on-site sewage, day care, swimming pools, nuisance complaints, solid waste, home loan surveys, public drinking water, or vector control

MQ Specialty:

• Valid Driver's License
• Registered with the National Environmental Health Association as a registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)

Ideal Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

• Knowledge
• Principles and practices of epidemiology, including disease surveillance and outbreak investigation.
• Skills
• Conduct outbreak and complaint investigations, including environmental assessments and control measures.
• Conduct environmental health and epidemiological surveillance and risk assessments.
• Analyze, interpret, and present data, findings, and recommendations.
• Abilities
• Apply epidemiologic and environmental health principles to prevent and control disease and environmental hazards.
• Implement effective mitigation strategies in routine and emergency situations.
• Manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to emerging public health issues and incidents.
• Work independently and collaboratively to support public health preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Supplemental Information:

This position is not covered by Social Security. Employees do not pay Social Security taxes and will not earn credits toward Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits based on earnings from this job. However, Medicare taxes will still be withheld, and these earnings will count toward Medicare eligibility.

How to Apply

Register or log in to your https://statecareers.idaho.gov/ account, locate this job announcement and select Apply. Attach your most current resume and follow the prompts to complete the exam. Hit submit. Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

Need help? Check out the Candidate Guide under Candidate Resources on the State of Idaho Careers page.

Who May Apply

If you have a passion for helping others and making a positive impact in your community, we invite you to consider a rewarding career with SWDH. Applicants who meet all the listed "MQ's" and "MQ Specialties" will be considered. Applications will be screened, and only the most qualified candidates will move forward in the selection process.

We are committed to ensuring access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resource Office at 208.455.5307.

The successful candidate will have a history and background supportive of the health district's mission and will be required to complete a pre-employment drug test and a criminal history background check, including fingerprints. Additionally, SWDH participates in E‑Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. E‑Verify compares information from an employee's Form I‑9 with records from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to verify identity and work authorization.

SWDH is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and against all individuals based on race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

NOTICE: Idaho's Public Health Districts are agencies that are authorized by the State of Idaho as independent bodies. District employees are not State of Idaho employees, rather District employees who receive benefits through the Office of Group Insurance.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and join a team that values innovation, collaboration, and community. Let's work together to make Southwest Idaho the healthiest place to live, work, and play!

If you have questions about this position, please contact us at:

Email: HR@swdh.id.gov

Phone: 208.455.5307