ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST (50080035)

HHC•Indianapolis, IN

22d

About The Position

The Environmental Health Specialist promotes individual and population public health by providing essential public health services in a variety of settings. The role involves inspecting properties, homes, and businesses; identifying health, safety, and environmental hazards; providing or participating in community health education and health promotion; ensuring compliance with local health and environmental codes, regulations, and policies; participating in health, safety, and environmental projects; and providing information about public health and environmental issues or code enforcement. The specialist also refers individuals and families to appropriate Marion County Public Health Department divisions and other City social service agencies. The position conducts residential and commercial inspections, investigates complaints, takes appropriate enforcement or corrective action, documents findings, and may provide expert testimony in administrative hearings and court. It supports public health response activities, works with governmental and community partners, educates residents about environmental health requirements, and communicates regulatory information in culturally appropriate ways. Work takes place in health department offices and community locations, including homes, apartments, hotels, commercial properties, and other private property. Field work may involve inclement weather, hazardous or poorly illuminated sites, exposure to communicable diseases, pests, hazardous materials, chemicals, mold, animals, and criminal activity. Employees may encounter challenging or hostile behavior. Personal protective equipment is recommended and required in some circumstances.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; concentration in Environmental Health, Public Health, or a closely related area is preferred.
Reliable transportation to all assigned work locations.
Complete National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) 100a and 700 certifications within four months of employment.
Valid Indiana driver’s license and current vehicle insurance certificate.
Knowledge of public health core functions and essential services, public health principles, and disease processes.
Knowledge of environmental sciences and environmental public health principles.
Basic understanding of environmental public health protection programs, laws, regulations, and processes in Indiana and Marion County.
Knowledge of data collection, analysis, and interpretation techniques.
Knowledge of applicable federal, Indiana state, and local environmental regulations.
Knowledge of code enforcement techniques and evidence gathering.
Ability to work under stressful conditions and time constraints.
Ability to read and interpret maps or demonstrate proficient use of navigation applications.
Ability to interpret and accurately apply ordinances and public health protection regulations.
Effective written and oral communication skills, including ability to convey technical information to non-technical community members.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Basic knowledge and use of computerized data management systems.
Knowledge and use of field equipment.
Knowledge of emergency preparedness in home, work, and community settings, and of incident command structure and its use.
Knowledge of Marion County Public Health Department divisions and how to integrate services with them.

Nice To Haves

A concentration in Environmental Health, Public Health, or a closely related area.

Responsibilities

Conduct required routine inspections and audits for compliance with Marion County Health and Hospital Code Chapters 10 and 19 and Indiana statutes concerning abandoned vehicles.
Maintain expert knowledge of Marion County Health and Hospital Code Chapters 10, 19, and 21.
Survey assigned districts for housing, sanitation, trash, and junk vehicle violations.
Provide health education and technical assistance concerning local public health and environmental codes, regulations, and policies.
Investigate complaints and conduct proactive inspections to identify Housing and Neighborhood Health violations; initiate appropriate enforcement or corrective actions.
Follow in-person and virtual court protocols.
Conduct inspections, complete data entry and documentation, and provide expert testimony in administrative hearings and Environmental Court when enforcement does not otherwise achieve compliance.
Provide expert testimony to obtain court orders to inspect, clean, tow, or vacate properties when necessary to achieve compliance.
Explain the health or safety basis for cited violations using critical thinking and on-demand judgment.
Participate in response teams addressing communicable diseases, food-, water-, and vector-borne outbreaks, chronic diseases, environmental hazards, injuries, and health disparities.
Respond to public complaints and inquiries concerning environmental and public health matters.
Use tact and sound judgment when dealing with challenging or potentially hostile clients and situations.
Attend and participate in neighborhood, taskforce, partner-agency, and other community meetings; prepare reports for reference or dissemination.
Educate the public about Housing and Neighborhood Health issues and the public health rationale for environmental health regulations.
Provide environmental health information, interpretation, and regulatory compliance advice to individuals, industry organizations, the public, and agencies.
Coordinate with governmental agencies to address code enforcement and nuisance issues.
Deliver targeted, culturally appropriate information about local environmental public health policies, regulations, and codes.
Interact effectively, professionally, and respectfully with people across ages, cultures, socioeconomic statuses, education levels, gender expressions, lifestyles, and physical abilities.
Follow ethical principles and department policy in collecting, maintaining, using, and disseminating data and information.
Seek or participate in professional growth and development, including continuing education and professional committees, organizations, and work groups.
Participate in public health emergency preparedness exercises and respond to public health emergencies as directed; may be assigned to COVID-19 or another public health response.
Participate in at least two H.O.P.E. events totaling at least eight hours annually.
Perform other duties consistent with the job classification as assigned.