Environmental Health Specialist

Prince George's County Government • Upper Marlboro, MD

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This is professional entry level inspectional and investigative code enforcement work to insure/obtain compliance with various public and environmental health laws, codes, ordinances, and standards within assigned service and program areas of the Health Department (e.g., food protection). Subject to extensive public contact, incumbents perform routine inspectional and investigative assignments in order to attain compliance with applicable public health and environmental laws, codes, and standards. Field/office work is performed under the close supervision of a higher level Environmental Health Specialist and independent field judgments are limited to routine assignments within the framework of established standard operating procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Health, Environmental, Physical, Biological or Engineering Sciences.
• One (1) year of professional-level experience in environmental health investigatory/enforcement work.
• Certification as a registered Environmental Health Specialist or Certificate of Eligibility as outlined by the State Board of Environmental Health Specialist Registration and in conjunction with State law.
• A valid Maryland State driver's license is required upon appointment in order to perform job related duties and responsibilities.
• Meet all training and performance standards and demonstrate proficiency as required by the agency.
• Wear and use agency protective apparel and equipment in the performance of their assigned duties.
• Successfully pass preemployment checks which may include reference checks, background investigations, and drug screenings.
• Be willing and able to serve as an essential employee. Essential employees are expected to report during standard or non-standard hours as operations necessitate, or during emergencies. Essential employees are expected to report or remain at work when other County employees are granted Administrative Leave.
• Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to provide and verify authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Assists and learns to inspect, investigate, record and report on the environmental public health impact of the retail manufacture, preparation, handling, distribution and sale of food and drink.
• Conduct comprehensive and monitoring, and follow-up inspections to determine compliance with applicable State and local regulations using proper forms and investigator skills.
• Respond to citizen complaints using knowledge of appropriate investigator skills, office procedures and forms to produce a resolution of all observed health code violations.
• Conduct change of ownership inspections and remodel inspections, using appropriate regulations, and investigative skills to approve new facilities and/or equipment for use.
• Assists and learns to collect samples at nursing homes, schools, day care centers, swimming pools, private and public wells, food facilities and other public facilities for analysis.
• Assists and learns to read, analyze and interpret laboratory test results and reports in order to (1) determine the existence of potential public health hazards, (2) insure compliance with public health laws and regulations, or (3) to determine/recommend a course of action to address/resolve the problem.
• Assists and learns to issue written notices of code violation to responsible party(ies) (e.g., property owners, operators, citizens) in order to inform them of circumstances/practices/operations that are not in compliance with public/environmental health laws, codes and standards.
• Assists and learns to prepare and maintain reports and records of health inspections, violations and permits.
• Assists and learns to provide advice and guidance in the interpretation of environmental health laws and regulations to builders, private businesses, governmental agencies and other interested parties.
• Maintains, uses, and operates vehicles, equipment and supplies in accordance with established departmental rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Willingly and cooperatively performs tasks and duties which may not be specifically listed in the class specification or position description, but which are within the general occupational category and responsibility level typically associated with the employee's class of work.

Benefits

• The salary range listed in this announcement reflects the offer range for this position. Offers made within this range are based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

What This Job Offers

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