Environmental Health Specialist I

Garfield County Colorado•Glenwood Springs, CO

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The EHS I is the entry level job in the Environmental Health Specialist classification series. Conducts independent work with guidance from senior staff and the Environmental Health (EH) Manager. Conducts a wide range of technical and educational environmental health functions related to consumer protection (childcare, retail food, and schools), oil and gas development, air quality, water quality, hazardous materials and waste management, land use, onsite wastewater, epidemiology (foodborne, waterborne and vector borne diseases), and emergency preparedness and response. Participates as part of an environmental health team. Work is typically performed in both an inspectional framework.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, public health, or a related field of study (30 credits of science-related curriculum).
No experience required.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual: ability to speak, read, and write English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Serves the public and regulated community through administrative duties, including report writing, monitoring environmental health hotlines, office coverage for unscheduled appointments, copying and filing of documents.
Emphasizes risk communication and public health education when interacting with the regulated community, including retail food establishments.
Uses plain language to ensure inspection findings and recommendations are easily understood by the regulated community.
Collaborates with federal, state, and local government agencies, private industry, and other community organizations to support coordinating environmental health efforts and share information that benefits consumer protection and public health.
Works closely with internal team members to ensure consistent application of environmental health & department policies and to support a unified, educational approach when working with the public.
Maintains sensitive and confidential records and information in accordance with HIPPA, Garfield County Codes and policy, the appropriate non-disclosure and/or release of information, and applicable public health regulations.
Participates in emergency preparedness and response activities, supporting community safety and continuity of public health services.
Takes initiative, is adaptable, and pays attention to details. Uses critical thinking skills. Able to work independently. Follows established Garfield County Public Health guidelines and regulations. Seeks guidance, collaborates with senior staff, and supports team-based decision making.
Under guidance from senior staff and the EH Manager, conducts inspections to assess the sanitary conditions and promote public health compliance for facilities and operations, such as retail food establishments, grocery stores, temporary retail food establishments, childcare and school facilities.
Serves as a resource to regulated facilities by providing education, interpretation of public health codes, and practical recommendations to improve safety and compliance.
Utilize technical equipment during routine inspections.
Applies State of Colorado and Garfield County public health laws and regulations, emphasizing education and guidance to help facility operators understand and meet compliance standards.
May assist senior staff with appropriate legal action under the direction of the supervisor, when necessary.
Investigates public health concerns and consumer complaints, working with local, State and Federal agencies.
Participates in communicable disease outbreak investigations and response.
Performs field sample collection for potential food-borne illness investigations, etc.
Writes summary reports and appropriate correspondence that communicate findings, guidance, and follow up actions to support public health improvements.
May review temporary food establishment applications and site plans to ensure public health standards are incorporated for proper food safety applications at unique events.
Under the guidance of senior staff and the EH Manager, conducts inspections to assess the sanitary conditions and promote public health compliance for facilities and operations, such as waste tire facilities, on-site wastewater treatment systems, and air pollution emission sources.
Applies State of Colorado and Garfield County public health laws and regulations, emphasizing education and guidance to help facility operators understand and meet compliance standards.
Investigates public health concerns and complaints, working with local, State and Federal agencies.
Performs field sample collection, including but not limited to, water quality, wastewater discharges, and air quality.
Reviews onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) design reports and drawings and site plans to ensure public health standards are incorporated into physical designs.
Issues OWTS permits and conduct inspections.
Assists with environmental health education programs aimed at effectively presenting technical and scientific information to the public.
Responds to questions from the public and regulated entities with professionalism and empathy, offering guidance that helps improve understanding and encourages voluntary compliance.
Assists in developing or delivering outreach materials and messaging to promote the protection of public health and improve community health literacy.
Other duties as assigned.
In times of public health emergency, the employee will be required to report for specialized duties inside or outside Garfield County once their critical personal and family emergency responsibilities have been met.