POSITION: Environmental Health Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Health
WORK SCHEDULE: As Scheduled
STATUS: Part-time/Seasonal
FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Incumbent serves as a Part-time/seasonal Seasonal Environmental Health Specialist for the Health Department, responsible for enforcing federal, state and local public health regulations. Incumbent performs specialty functions in various public health areas as assigned and as needed.
DUTIES:
Conducts inspections of retail food establishments, such as restaurants, markets, schools, fairs, mobile food vendors and food vending machines, including reviewing potential health violations and hazards, collecting samples, advising personnel on proper sanitation of equipment and other necessary procedures, taking appropriate action to ensure compliance with all requirements, completing reports, and processing applications for food establishment licenses, including receiving fees and providing receipts.
Conducts inspections of public and semi-public swimming pools, including reviewing potential health violations and hazards, taking appropriate action to ensure compliance with all requirements, completing reports, and processing applications for pool licenses, including receiving fees and providing receipts.
Conducts inspections of new, replacement, and repairs for residential on-site septic systems, including reviewing potential health violations and hazards, taking appropriate action to ensure compliance with all requirements, completing reports, and processing applications for on-site septic licenses, including receiving fees and providing receipts.
Conducts inspections of commercial on-site septic systems as requested by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), including reviewing potential health violations and hazards, taking appropriate action to ensure compliance with all requirements, completing reports, notifying ISDH of findings, and processing applications for on-site septic licenses, including receiving fees and providing receipts.
Conducts private water well placement inspections, including reviewing potential health violations and hazards, taking appropriate action to ensure compliance with all requirements, collecting water samples for testing by a certified laboratory, completing reports, and processing applications for well licenses, including receiving fees and providing receipts.
Receives, investigates and resolves public health complaints regarding potential code violations, including, but not limited to, food establishments, foodborne illness, public and semi-public swimming pools, waterborne illness, housing, environmental spills, trash, dead animals, septic/sewers, and other related public health hazard concerns, which may include making on-site inspections, photographing sites, sending warning letters, conducting follow-up investigations, and working with appropriate individuals to resolve conflicts or take legal enforcement action as required to ensure compliance.
Assists the public, including, but not limited to, investigating complaints, conducting record searches for environmental information, providing technical information in various public health areas, presenting educational talks to community groups, and conducting public health education programs/training.
Maintains current knowledge of public health issues by reading professional publications and attending meetings, professional workshops, training seminars and conferences as required.
Periodically provides expert testimony in court proceedings.
Performs related duties as assigned.
I. JOB REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor Degree in Public Health, Environmental Science, Biology or related field, or high school diploma/GED with related experience equivalent to a Bachelor Degree in Public Health, Environmental Science, Biology or related field, with ability to obtain and maintain required certifications.
Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of federal, state and local rules and regulations governing public health with ability to conduct investigations, perform testing and sampling procedures, and assure compliance with all legal requirements.
Working knowledge of basic chemistry, biology and bacteriology, and ability to inspect sites of potential code violations, conduct effective investigations of environmental complaints and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
Working knowledge of and ability to properly operate various instruments and equipment, such as computer, typewriter, soil auger, tape measure, thermometers, chemical test kits, compass, tile probe, and scientific calculator.
Ability to collect, record and analyze data and test samples, prepare and maintain accurate Department documents and reports, and make related arithmetic calculations.
Ability to use appropriate universal health and safety precautions to avoid contamination in high-risk environments, including proper use of protective clothing.
Ability to perform duties in a variety of settings, including a standard office environment and in the field, involving sitting/walking at will, crouching/kneeling, bending, reaching, lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds close/far vision, color/depth perception, keyboarding, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent may be exposed to physical and health hazards normally associated with field work including, but not limited to, construction sites and food establishments, with possible exposure to sewage, chemicals, animal/insect bites, inclement weather, dust, dirt and heavy machinery.
Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare written reports/documents, plan and present meetings, agendas, public speaking presentations and news releases as appropriate.
Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other county departments, regulating agencies, property owners and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department records and information according to State requirements.
Ability to effectively bring about conflict resolution to highly volatile situations and events.
Ability to represent the Health Department and the County as a competent, knowledgeable, and subject matter expert in public health.
Ability to comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
Ability to interview to obtain information, review citizen complaints, and conduct follow-up investigations.
Ability to compile statistics, analyze and evaluate data, make determinations, and present findings in oral and written form.
Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, often under time pressure, and on several tasks at the same time.
Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.
Ability to occasionally work evening and/or weekend hours, and occasionally travel out of town for workshops, training seminars and conferences, sometimes overnight.
Possession of a valid driver's license and a demonstrated safe driving record.
II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK
Incumbent’s duties are broad in scope and of substantial intricacy, involving many variables or considerations with interrelationships difficult to ascertain. Incumbent performs according to standard Department policies and procedures and standard practices of the profession, exercising independent judgment in applying guidelines and technical/scientific knowledge to specific cases and circumstances.
III. RESPONSIBILTY
Incumbent monitors various sites for compliance with federal, state, and local rules and regulations regarding public health, referring to the Chief Environmental Health Specialist/Administrator unusual or unprecedented situations, such as non-compliance cases resulting in legal action or technical issues beyond the incumbent’s expertise. Work is reviewed for soundness of judgment and compliance with Department policy.
IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS
Incumbent maintains frequent contact and communication with co-workers, other county departments, federal, state and local environmental health personnel, and the public for the purpose of exchanging and explaining information, coordinating daily operations, conducting investigations and resolving problems. Incumbent frequently persuades code violators to improve conditions/operating procedures to obtain/maintain code compliance.
Incumbent reports directly to Chief Environmental Health Specialist/Administrator.
V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Incumbent performs duties in a variety of settings, including a standard office environment and in the field, involving sitting/walking at will, crouching/kneeling, bending, reaching, lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds, close/far vision, color/depth perception, keyboarding, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent may be exposed to physical and health hazards normally associated with field work, including, but not limited to, construction sites and food establishments, with possible exposure to sewage, chemicals, animal/insect bites, inclement weather, dust, dirt, and heavy machinery. Safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to oneself and others. Incumbent may encounter irate/hostile individuals. Incumbent periodically responds to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis, occasionally works extended hours, evenings, and/or weekends, and occasionally travels out of town for workshops, training seminars and conferences, sometimes overnight.