Environmental Health Specialist

Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health•Mason City, IA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

CG Public Health is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist to join their team. This role involves fieldwork and public service, focusing on lead prevention, water testing, home remediations, and healthy homes initiatives. The specialist will ensure county compliance by investigating nuisances, reviewing site plans, and testing private wells. The position offers a dynamic mix of fieldwork and office time, with no two days being the same. Ongoing education is a key part of the job. Ideal candidates are tech-savvy, clear communicators, precise, and proactive.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in natural or other sciences; with experience in the field.
An equivalent combination of experience and education substituting one year of full-time professional work in an environmental, food sanitation or other relevant program for each year of the required education that will have provided the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.
Public health core competencies: communication skills, cultural competency skills, community dimensions of practice skills, analytical/assessment skills, policy development/program planning skills, public health sciences skills, leadership, and systems thinking skills.
Knowledge of public health, EMS and hospital preparedness issues.
Knowledge of the Incident Command System and National Incident Management System.
Must achieve NIMS competency training compliancy.
Employee will report to public health for emergency response as requested by the health director.
Must attend 24 contact hours annually of county-funded, qualifying, and approved continuing education.
Completion of National Incident Management System’s (NIMS) trainings: IS-100, IS-200 & IS-700
Bloodborne Pathogen and Tuberculosis Training
Knowledge of modern environmental health practices, techniques, and programs.
Knowledge of county and state laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations relating to environmental health.
Knowledge of agency policies and procedures (may be developed after employment). Knowledge of environmental health principles and practices.
Skilled in enforcing environmental health regulations in a firm but tactful manner.
Effective written and verbal communication skills to allow effective communication with fellow employees and the public.
Investigative technique, critical thinking, problem solving skills.
Skilled in reading, interpreting, applying policies, regulations and procedures regarding environmental inspections and compliance.
Skilled in providing instruction, guidance, consultation in correction of environmental problems.
Ability to present, explain, and discuss the field of environmental health before small and large groups.
Ability to gain compliance with environmental health laws, regulations, and ordinances with a minimal amount of formal legal enforcement.
Ability to work harmoniously with co-workers, other organizations and agencies, and the general public.
Ability to read, comprehend, and apply technical material and follow instruction.
Ability to read, interpret, and implement laws and regulations as well as communicate those laws and regulations to a wide variety of audiences.
Ability to plan, organize, and implement programs and projects.
Ability to take accurate notes, including notes to be used in legal proceedings.
Ability to utilize phone and computer applications.
Represents CG Public Health in a professional manner.
Follows various policies such as completing time studies, confidentiality, attending staff meetings, personnel policies, etc.
Respects the rights of persons visiting CG Public Health.
Demonstrate adaptability and resilience when faced with environmental challenges, including the presence of pests.
Follow established protocols and guidelines for managing pest-related issues when working in client’s homes.
Must have a valid Iowa Driver's License and have reliable transportation.
Must be insurable for driving under county insurance company policies.
Applicant will be subject to post offer, pre-employment drug and physical testing, CRT, reference checks, as well as a criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

Experience in their programs to a level where they perform duties with a higher level of independence and minimal supervision (generally 2 or more years of experience).
New Sanitarian Training
ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager Course
Curriculum for Retail Food Safety Inspection Officers
State Standardized Food Inspector
Private Well Water Permitting, Construction, Testing
On-site Waste-Water System Permitting, Installation
Lead Abatement Contractor
Lead Inspector
Sampling Technician - Lead
Instrument Operator Training - Lead
Certified Pools & Spa Operator
GIS
Radon Measurement Professional Certification
Successful completion of inspector training program for food safety from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.
Successful completion of the Lead Inspector program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (if assigned to lead investigations).
Successful completion of the Certified Pool Operator program.
Radon Measurement Professional Certification.
As approved by the Division Manager, an approved and applicable certification listed per the CG Public Health Employee Handbook or Manager’s Guide.

Responsibilities

Perform environmental health inspections and investigate complaints to verify compliance with state and local regulations.
Perform site inspections and make professional judgements as it relates to retail food establishments, schools, swimming pools, spas, hotels, on-site water and sewage disposal systems, potential nuisances, lead, healthy homes and other programs assigned.
Collect samples in accordance with established program procedures.
Interpret sample results and determine appropriate response to problematic results.
Inform and educate facility officials and others of inspection or test results and any corrective measures needed for achieving satisfactory conditions.
Initiate, negotiate and implement enforcement to resolve noncompliance issues.
Applies and enforces county, city, and/or state laws, ordinances, statutes, policies, and regulations. Determines compliance with and enforces environmental health laws and rules for environmental programs.
Meets with business owners/managers to present and discuss findings and determine the plan of action for abating violations that were cited during the inspection.
Perform follow-up inspections or testing as required to monitor correction of unsatisfactory conditions.
Maintain status records and initiate legal enforcement action as the situation warrants.
Provide factual testimony in formal legal proceedings or provide case support to the legal community as required.
Investigate environmental health violations, complaints, or possible causes of illness.
Respond to complaints, reports and other violations in a timely manner.
Follow existing protocol to respond to animal bites, potential nuisance cases, potential foodborne illness and other programs.
Perform investigations into possible causes of illnesses and complete reports in a timely manner.
Participate in epidemiological response teams in the instance of an outbreak.
Obtain facts, evidence and samples needed in abatement and control requirements.
Record and report findings and the proposed corrective measures needed.
Review and prepare applications, permits, and licenses.
Review permit & license applications for approval; perform inspections and investigations of sites, as necessary.
Review, analyze, and interpret various plans and reports as required.
Review site plans to ensure compliance with current environmental health policies, laws, and regulations.
Provide technical assistance and expertise.
Provide consultation to the public, regulated community, and enforcement personnel to interpret current policies, laws, and regulations.
Gather, analyze and report environmental health data (e.g.,planning & zoning, radon, GIS).
Advise on methods of meeting and maintaining sanitary requirements.
Attend meetings with community groups to establish rapport and provide education on environmental health topics for the purpose of improving environmental health compliance and awareness.
Attend agency and state meetings, trainings, or conferences to maintain knowledge of current environmental health programs.
Prepare and maintain records, databases, and equipment.
Provide full and complete documentation of all inspection and investigation activities.
Enter required reports, inspections, and activities in databases and submit to appropriate entities.
Manage equipment and supply inventories to conduct monitoring and inspections.
Perform proper, professional, and truthful finance collection from fees and fines.
Prepare and issue compliance letters and other general correspondence as required.
Calibrate equipment as necessary.
Other duties as assigned.
Coordinate and oversee environmental health initiatives, program deliverables, and grant vouching/invoicing.
Assist with program planning, evaluation, policy development, and budget monitoring.
Provide guidance, training, and mentoring to less experienced staff and interns.
Prepare advanced technical reports and make professional judgments on complex situations.