Environmental Health Specialist
Salary
Depends on Qualifications
Location
799 North Highland Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
08992
Department
Public Health
Division
Community Health Services
Opening Date
08/11/2026
Closing Date
8/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
General Statement of Duties
The Forsyth County Department of Public Health is looking for dynamic and motivated individuals to join our team as an Environmental Health Specialist on the FLI - Food, Lodging and Institutions team. This position offers flexibility and may be filled at different levels depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. We are open to hiring for the following levels:
Regardless of the level, the selected candidate will be part of a collaborative and innovative team. The Environmental Health Specialists perform professional environmental health work in the promotion of public health through education, surveillance, consultation, inspection, and enforcement of state, local, and federal environmental health laws and regulations.
Distinguishing Features
The ideal candidates will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Working knowledge of food sanitation, food-borne diseases, communicable diseases, protection of water supplies, solid waste management, and institutional sanitation.
Working knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques as applied in environmental health.
Working knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures as well as a complete understanding of the concepts of public health law.
Ability to analyze and comprehend a wide variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
Ability to develop and express ideas and opinions concisely, comprehensively, and clearly in oral and written form.
Ability to independently plan and schedule work activities.
Ability to apply environmental health knowledge and techniques in the investigation of environmental health problems.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with a wide range of public contacts while enforcing public health laws and regulations.
Ability to communicate with the public effectively and to speak to large groups of people in an educational setting.
Minimum Education and Experience
Environmental Health Specialist II
Bachelors degree in Environmental Health from a program accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula of the National Environmental Health Association; or Bachelors degree with a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life or health sciences; or a Bachelors Degree in Public Health.
Five (5) years experience in the field of Environmental Health, as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist and/or Intern Registered as an Environmental Health Specialist (Sanitarian) by the NC Board of Sanitarian Examiners.
Holds three (3) or more authorizations preferably in Food, Lodging, and Institutions, Child Care and Tattoos in the state of NC.
Registered as an Environmental Health Specialist (Sanitarian) by the NC State Board of Sanitarian Examiners.
Must have a valid drivers license.
Environmental Health Specialist II salaries start at $54,828.80, annually.
Environmental Health Specialist
Bachelors degree in Environmental Health from a program accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula of the National Environmental Health Association; or Bachelors degree with a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life or health sciences; or a Bachelors Degree in Public Health, and one year experience in the field of environmental health.
Registered as an Environmental Health Specialist (Sanitarian) by the NC State Board of Sanitarian Examiners.
Must have a valid NC drivers license.
Environmental Health Specialist salaries start at $52,208.00, annually.
Environmental Health Specialist Intern
Graduation from a four-year college with a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of course work in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences; or a Bachelors Degree in Public Health.
Eligible to be registered as an Environmental Health Specialist (Sanitarian) Intern by the NC State Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners.
A higher education level may be considered as a substitution for all or part of the experience requirement.
Environmental Health Specialist Interns must obtain credentials by the NC state Board of Environmental Health Specialists Sanitarian Examiners within three years of employment as an intern.
Must have a valid NC drivers license.
Intern salaries start at $45,115.20, annually.
Registered Environmental Health Specialists with experience in food, lodging, and institutions preferred.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
This position has been identified to interact with children and must comply with NC G.S. 153A-94.2(b) "requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI." These checks must be conducted in accordance with G.S. 143B-1209.26, the statute which authorizes the SBI to provide a fingerprint-based state and national criminal record check to cities and counties.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Conducting sanitation evaluations of foodservice, institutional and lodging facilities, child day care facilities, institutions and group homes at prescribed frequencies.
Monitoring food handling practices, personal hygiene, on-site liquid and solid waste collection and disposal, water sources, and compliance with established sanitation standards. A numerical score and a letter grade or classification is assigned to the establishment based on the evaluation.
Issuing permits to new/remodeled establishments after an evaluation indicates compliance with applicable rules.
Suspending and revoking permits upon identification of an imminent public health hazard.
Conducting epidemiological investigations of food borne disease outbreaks.
Investigating and resolving complaints from citizens and;
Preparing for legal action and court related cases as needed. This position is also responsible for carrying out the state mandated enforcement of the state law "An Act to Prohibit Smoking in Certain Public Places."
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01
The following supplemental questions may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided on your application. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during a hiring interview. By completing this supplemental evaluation you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any information you provide may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer to the questions.
02
Are you registered as an Environmental Health Specialist or Intern by the NC State Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners?
03
If you answered yes to the previous question, what is your registration number and registration date?
04
Please list the environmental health authorizations that you currently hold? If you do not currently hold any environmental health authorizations, enter N/A.
05
Do you have a Bachelors degree in Environmental Health from a program accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula of the National Environmental Health Association?
06
Did you have a Bachelors degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work in the physical, biological, earth, natural or life sciences?
07
Do you have at least five (5) years of experience in Environmental Health and three state authorizations?
08
Do you have a valid drivers license?
Required Question
Employer Forsyth County (NC)
Address 201 N. Chestnut St.
Winston Salem, North Carolina, 27101
Phone 336-703-2400
Website http://www.forsyth.cc
| Location | Winston-Salem, NC |