Environmental Program Manager Jobs in Portland, OR

Job Title: Environmental Health Specialist / Environment of Care
Reports To: Environmental Public Health Program Director
Starting Wage Range: $85,000 – 95,000
Compensation: Health, dental, vision, PTO, retirement account contribution, 14 paid holidays + 2 personal days
Status: Exempt, Salaried
Classification: 1.0 FTE, Regular

The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) is a 501(c)3 designated organization and Tribal organization, P.L. 93-638, under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) serving the 43 Tribes in the states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington with a staff of over 100. NPAIHB’s mission is to “eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life of American Indians and Alaska Natives by supporting Northwest Tribes in their delivery of culturally appropriate, high-quality health programs and services.” NPAIHB’s vision is “Health and Wellness for the 7th Generation.”

The Environmental Health Specialist / Environment of Care Program Manager serves dual roles. The position has the responsibility to assist Portland Area tribal clinics with the Environment of Care as it applies to obtaining accreditation and maintaining accreditation; which includes planning, development, and implementation of occupational safety, emergency management and infection control programs (40%) and is also responsible for completing environmental health work (60%), e.g. food safety inspection, childcare safety inspection, etc. This position requires clinical environmental health and safety, infection control, and general occupational health and safety knowledge. It also requires knowledge of general health and safety standards for sanitation and safety inspection. This position is currently funded by an annual contract with Indian Health Service. The project aims to optimize environmental public health among the Northwest Tribes.

This position reports directly to the Environmental Public Health Program Director at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB). Activities must be accomplished with minimal day-to-day supervision. Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Development of comprehensive, Clinic Environmental Health Programs – Assist the tribes, upon request, in planning, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive environmental infection control and safety programs. Programs and plans will be based on current AAAHC Standards, CMS conditions of participation, CDC Infection Control Guidelines, OSHA regulations and other health care guidelines.
2. Accreditation Support – Assist tribes with development of programs that meet or exceed public health accreditation or clinic accreditation standards, as requested.
3. Serve as a technical consultant to tribal program EH Specialists and leaders by assisting them with environmental health and safety hazard identification and mitigation.
4. Provides consultation, guidance, and assistance to infection control and safety staff at the Tribal health facilities. Advocate for infection prevention and control resources with State and Federal partners for Tribal health facilities. Provides updates and trends on infection prevention and control also provides consultation on associated accreditation requirements and evidence-based practices.
5. Technical Assistance – Serve as a technical consultant to tribal program EH Specialists and leaders by assisting them with environmental health hazard identification and mitigation. Performs epidemiological and environmental infection control investigations to identify environmental factors with the potential for transmission and disease.
6. Leads evaluation of required health care emergency management exercises that are based upon the health care center’s identified operational vulnerabilities and threats and involves the necessary facility staff as well as external agencies and organizations.
7. Participates in the review of construction projects that may impact the environment of care and occupational safety and health. Works with facilities, conducting pre-construction safety assessment of all proposed remodels, new construction and projects before the project is started.
8. Conduct Environmental Health Surveys – the EH Specialist will conduct comprehensive environmental health surveys at community facilities, as requested by tribes. The EH Specialist develops written reports of findings, including recommendations for corrective action and improvement. The EH Specialist presents reports to appropriate tribal officials and acts as a consultant, as needed, on issues requiring improvement. Records all activities, documents, and reports in the designated EPH program tracking system monthly.
9. Provide Training Courses and Materials – the EH Specialist will assist tribal leaders and programs with the development of infection control, environmental and occupational health, and safety training plans for tribal employees and community members.
10. Develop Plans and Assist in Policy Development – the EH Specialist assists tribes and partners in development of plans and policy across a wide range of environmental public health areas. Focus areas include emergency preparedness, environmental infection control, and safety management in the health care and institutional settings.
11. Injury Prevention Activities – the EH Specialist serves as technical consultant to tribal program EH Specialists and leaders by assisting them with hazard identification and mitigation, specifically focusing on occupational injuries.
12. Data collection and reporting – the EH Specialist will collect and analyze data for the Environmental Public Health Program. The EH Specialist will record and enter services and activities in WebEHRS and other data systems (as appropriate) and provide reports to tribal partners in a timely manner.
13. Performs inspection fieldwork as assigned, including, but not limited to, food inspection, childcare facilities, program grant deliverables, etc.
14. Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

• Act in service to the Tribes and the tribal communities we serve
• Professional integrity and excellence
• Contribute to a community of respect, collaboration and collectivity
• Commit to sharing knowledge and building expertise by participating in all virtual spaces in our workplace with our cameras on
• Be present, available and responsive for meetings and calls during regular working hours
• Respect confidentiality
• Use reasonable judgement to dress appropriately for the workday, space or event In lieu of a formal dress code

• Master’s level degree (preferred) in Environmental Health, Public Health, Occupational Health/Industrial Hygiene or closely aligned field required. Would accept a Bachelor’s level degree with five (5) years of experience in Infection Control or Environmental Health consultation.
• Current Board certified in Infection Control (CIC) or current Board certified in Industrial Hygiene is preferred, or can be obtained in within 1 year.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) is preferred
• Current license/credential as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in project management, infection prevention and control, and clinical environmental health and safety.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with tribal communities or tribal organizations. Experience with NW Tribes preferred.
• Advanced user in Microsoft Office package (Access, Excel, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint)
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Must be highly organized and motivated, and be able manage complex projects and carry out all responsibilities of the job requirements with minimal day-to-day supervision
• Must demonstrate discretion, tact, knowledge, judgment, and overall ability in working effectively with federal, tribal, and other professionals and facilitating participation and partnership in the activities of the program
• Must be sensitive to cross-cultural differences, and able to work effectively within their context
• Must be able to travel, as requested

Physical Demands: Frequently involves sedentary work: exerting up to 10 pounds of force and/or a negligible amount of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Physical Requirements: Constantly requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communications, and to make fine discrimination in sound. Constantly requires verbally expressing or exchanging ideas or important instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly. Constantly requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm. Constantly requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and/or fingers. Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks. Occasionally requires standing and/or sitting for sustained periods of time. Occasionally requires ascending or descending stairs or ramps using feet and legs and/or hand and arms. Occasionally requires stooping which entails the use of the lower extremities and back muscles. Infrequently requires crouching.

Typical Environmental Conditions: The worker is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions.

Travel Requirements: Travel will be required to attend multiple meetings, conferences, and site visits to tribal communities.

Disclaimer: The individual must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately without causing a significant safety threat to self or others. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and or skills required of all personnel so classified.

Except as provided by Title 25, U.S.C. § 450e(b), which allows for Indian preference in hiring, the NPAIHB does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, politics, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, genetic information, ancestry or any other characteristic protected by law.