Environmental Health Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION: Has primary responsibility for research, development, implementation, and compliance with public health and environmental health policies, programs, and regulations including: Food Safety, On-Site Sewage Systems, Solid Waste, Vector, Communicable Disease, Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Action/Response Plan, Safety Training, Recordkeeping and Posting Requirements, Tracing/Tracking and Statistical Reporting, and Facility and Field Inspections and Reporting, throughout Asotin County.

This is an hourly non-exempt position, 40 hours per week, subject to overtime, typically Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM until 5:30 PM, but may require evening and weekend shifts as needed by various programs and other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Consults and educates clients in the office and by telephone regarding all program areas.
• Regularly attends continuing education workshops to obtain or to maintain required certifications and knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Participates in planning, training, and response in public health emergencies as assigned.
• Reviews permitting applications and backup documentation and determines permit issuance for and inspects on-site sewage disposal system installations to determine compliance with county and state regulations.
• Conducts on-site visits and evaluates soil test holes prior to installation of sewage disposal systems.
• Conducts on-site investigations regarding complaints and determines necessary action for abatement.
• Reviews proposed short and long plats to assure compliance with state on-site sewage regulations.
• Conducts routine inspections of retail food service establishments such as restaurants, grocery stores, taverns, wineries, concessions, mobile food units, temporary food booths, and vending machine operations, to determine compliance with county and state regulations.
• Educates food handlers' classes, community groups, schools, newspapers and other professionals regarding environmental public health issues.
• Collects bacteriological and chemical samples from private and public water systems and conducts sanitary surveys of public water systems.
• Advises and consults with private well owners regarding matters of well construction and safe drinking water.
• Works closely with public water systems to assure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Performs field inspections for the purpose of evaluating, regulating and making sound public health recommendations regarding: swimming pools and spas, primary and secondary schools, vector control, nuisance complaints, animal bites, chemical and physical hazards, posting, assessment and clean-up oversight of clandestine drug labs, solid waste sites and, general living environment.
• Conducts epidemiological investigations associated with food poisoning, water contamination, rabies control, and vector-borne outbreaks.
• Maintains complete, accurate and up-to-date records of inspections and other activities.

• Process permit applications, inspection reports, and other paperwork associated with environmental health programs within individual geographical and specialty areas.
• Independently performs other investigations and assignments of similar nature and complexity and other duties, as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:
•Posess and maintain clean Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) driving history.
•Must communicate progress routinely, keep accurate records, be accountable and productive, and track time by program.
•Candidate must be reliable and punctual with a strong work ethic.
•Strong communication skills are essential. Must have the ability to speak to clients and employees with clarity and confidence.
•Good written communication and reporting skills are required. Ability to express your ideas in verbal and written forms is required.
•Computer literacy with high level of familiarity and fluency with MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and Databases.
•Demonstrate ability to use fax machine, copier/scanner, various printers, multi-line telephone system, and other office equipment.
•Must be well organized and comfortable working independently.
•Ability to organize, plan and carry out detailed instructions in a professional manner.
•Establish effective working relations with the public, elected officials, clients, and co-workers
•Ability to adapt to various changes in, but not limited to, processes, procedures, systems, forms, staffing, duties, and tasks.
•Ability to read forms, schedules, directions, diagrams, WACs, RCWs and manuals.
•Ability to accurately receipt and appropriately secure and safeguard all monies .
•General understanding of the purpose of public health
•Ability to travel locally and out of town to achieve position goals and trainings.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Some sedentary work, which involves sitting for periods of time and involves walking or standing for brief periods of time, also handling, seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hands.
• Work will be done within the Health District office and occasional work within the community at large.
• Ability to work in uncomfortable environmental conditions (ie. Outside in all seasons)
• Requires working with frequent interruptions and practicing good customer service principles in the presence of multiple people.
• This job requires occasional lifting of 50+ pounds.
• Requires manual dexterity and visual acuity to operate a computer station and other machines.

REQUIREMENTS

Preferred Education: A Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Community Health, Health Promotion, or a closely related field, including biological sciences. Applicants currently working to complete Bachelor's degree are encouraged to apply.

Criminal Background Check

IMPORTANT:

The employee filling this position may be required to stay at or return to work during public health incidents and/or emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.

Asotin County Public Health District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.