Environmental Health Specialist 1 (PN 20013799)

State of Ohio • Dayton, OH

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Health is hiring an Environmental Health Specialist 1 in the Bureau of Environmental Health and Radiation Protection. The position conducts program evaluations, inspections, surveys, investigations, and enforcement activities in environmental health science areas, including food safety and agricultural labor camps. The role investigates complaints and recommends courses of action to complainants, local health departments, and industry; conducts field investigations; and provides advice and consultation to local health departments and industry. The position is headquartered in Montgomery County, Ohio, with a work location in Dayton.

The specialist assists local health department staff with environmental health issues such as food safety, radon, campgrounds, agricultural labor camps, body art, resident camps, public swimming pools and spas, private water systems, sewage treatment systems, hazardous and toxic substances, consumer product safety, and lead. The role also assists with foodborne outbreak investigations and illnesses associated with unsanitary conditions, prepares reports and correspondence using a personal computer, and helps develop educational materials.

This is a permanent, full-time, classified hourly position. Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pay begins at $31.47 per hour at Pay Grade 32, Step 1, with an opportunity for an increase after six months of satisfactory performance and yearly raises thereafter. The selected candidate must undergo a criminal background check and provide official transcripts for claimed post-secondary education if requested.

Requirements

• Obtain registration as an environmental health specialist in training or environmental health specialist before practicing environmental health, and no later than 90 days after employment.
• Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: a bachelor's degree with at least 45 quarter units or 30 semester units of approved science courses and at least two years of full-time employment as an environmental health specialist; a bachelor's degree with a major in environmental health science, including a director-approved internship, and at least one year of full-time employment as an environmental health specialist; or a degree higher than a bachelor's degree with at least 45 quarter units or 30 semester units of approved science courses and at least one year of full-time employment as an environmental health specialist.
• Provide own transportation.
• For the approved science-course requirement, coursework must be in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, mathematics, or statistics and applicable to environmental health science.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in a physical or environmental science.
• Experience working with food safety rules and regulations.
• Experience working with government officials and/or local agencies.
• Experience providing technical assistance and/or consultation regarding food safety.
• Experience conducting inspections, investigations, or program evaluations.
• Experience preparing and delivering trainings and presentations.
• Experience gathering data and writing technical reports or letters.
• Experience using computer software such as Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Conduct program evaluations, inspections, surveys, investigations, and enforcement activities in assigned environmental health science areas.
• Investigate complaints and recommend courses of action to complainants, local health departments, and industry.
• Conduct field investigations in assigned public health areas and provide advice and consultation to local health departments and industry.
• Assist local health department staff in resolving environmental health science problems, including issues involving food safety, radon, camps, body art, pools, private water systems, sewage treatment, hazardous substances, consumer product safety, and lead.
• Assist local health departments with foodborne outbreak investigations and illnesses associated with unsanitary conditions.
• Prepare reports and correspondence using a personal computer.
• Assist staff in developing educational materials.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal leave, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including employee development funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems and optional deferred compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level