Environmental Health Director

Malheur County•251 B Street W. Vale, OR

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Administrates the County Environmental Health Department efforts for the preservation of health and safety by enforcement of regulations governing the standards for public facilities and disposal of waste (air, water, solid). Works under the direction of the County Court; periodically and annually reviewed for adherence to the appropriate policies, performance and results obtained. Provides supervision to the EHS I or EHS II, Environmental Health Clerk, Lytle Landfill Contract Service Provider, Solid Waste Site Attendant at Lytle Landfill and all department employees by reviewing and evaluating for adherence to the appropriate policies and for the results obtained.

Requirements

Must possess a Current Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) License that meets one of the following requirements OR have the ability to obtain current REHS license within 30 days.
Bachelor's degree from a university or college with at least 45 quarter-hours of science background in environmental sanitation and two years of experience in environmental health working under the supervision of an environmental health specialist.
Or, a graduate degree in community health or public health and one year of experience in environmental health working under the supervision of an environmental health specialist.
Reciprocity: Bachelor's or graduate degree as noted above and affidavit of licensure demonstrating proof of current active registration with no current or pending disciplinary action. The registration must have been issued by a regulatory body of another state or a national association recognized by the board.
AND 4 years of experience working as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist.
AND 2 years supervisory OR a satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training relevant to the position.
Malheur County may consider underfill staffing this position with an applicant who is not fully qualified, but who can reasonably meet the full position requirements within 24 months.
The successful underfill candidate would be offered the position at a lower classification and rate of pay and may be under a workplan.
This position requires the use of a vehicle to conduct County business.
Possession of a valid Drivers’ License with a good driving history required.
A safe and acceptable driving record per County policy must be maintained throughout course of employment.
Complete soils classes as required by DEQ for the On-Site Program within one year of employment.
Occasionally responds to emergencies during off-duty hours.
Performs inspections for temporary events as necessary, often on the weekends and holidays.
Candidates will be required to pass a criminal history background check.
Thorough knowledge of: Supervision principles and modern personnel practices: record-keeping and budgeting; pertinent laws, rules and regulations including environmental health and safety practices; principles, practices, and procedures of environmental health profession.
Considerable knowledge: of public sector management; intergovernmental relationships; laboratory test procedures; interviewing techniques; some knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
Ability to: Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships; deal effectively and tactfully with a variety of individuals, including superiors, peers, subordinates, contractors, boards and the public; work independently, organize and plan work, and comprehend and follow complex instructions; learn, interpret, and implement legal requirements; determine cost/benefit of various alternatives for long and short term health and safety of environmentally related situations.
Skill in: Application of principles of supervision and communication; environmental health principles; interviewing; operation of motor vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Past government experience
Experience working with the public
Experience preparing and managing budgets
Course work in Soil Science, Soil Morphology and Physical Geology or Geomorphology
Bi-Lingual in Spanish
Experience using HS Cloud inspection software

Responsibilities

Develops, directs, implements, and maintains inspection process to ensure the sanitation of food, and public facilities, as specified in intergovernmental agreements with the State of Oregon and Malheur County Code.
Provides supervision of solid waste matters in Malheur County waste shed and prepares required documents, applications, and reports required to maintain active solid waste permits issued to the County.
Administrates onsite sewage disposal processes and provides for permits, as needed.
In cooperation with the Malheur County Health Department, determines if a detailed investigation is necessary upon communicable disease outbreaks; determines what control measures are to be taken; facility closure, public notice, etc.
Refers public to established air quality control program(DEQ).
Conducts inspection on the condition of existing septic and soil conditions.
Inspects on-site sewage disposal installations; issue permits, enforces regulation of state government pertaining to installations; assists in design, layout and proper installation of facilities.
Performs full and complete supervision, including assignment of work, evaluation, discipline, adjust grievances, hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, instruct, schedule, approve leaves.
Represents the agency before County Court, before the public, before other jurisdictions, and before professional organizations.
Prepares departmental budget and monitors expenditures.
Attends state-sponsored conferences and training seminars as required to obtain new information concerning rules, regulations and procedures.
Courteously meet and deal effectively with other employees, department heads, elected officials, outside agency personnel and the public.
Oversee and manage all activities and reporting for Lytle Boulevard Landfill.
Inspects food handling and service establishment for general cleanliness and sanitation; takes food and biological samples for laboratory analysis at the request of the State epidemiology division.
Inspects licensed swimming pools and checks for compliance with state laws and regulations; maintain pool inspection certification as required by the State.
Inspects recreation parks and traveler accommodations to ensure compliance with Oregon state sanitation requirements.
Coordinates with health nurses in conducting epidemiology as it relates to food and water bornediseases.
Keeps records of inspections and other activities; prepares reports and recommendations.
Handle reports of animal bites under Oregon state law.
Regular physical attendance at the employer’s facility is required.