Environmental Health Specialist

Indian Health Service • Rhinelander, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Health Specialist is located in the Division of Environmental Health Services, Office of Environmental Health & Engineering, Bemidji Area IHS, Rhinelander District Office, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The incumbent independently plans, develops, and implements a comprehensive environmental health program on assigned reservations in accordance with the IHS Manual and other written guidance from the Office of Environmental Health & Engineering. The program addresses safe water, solid and hazardous waste management, food protection, pool safety, healthy homes, occupational health and safety, safe childcare environments, vector control, community injury prevention, radon gas, and institutional health.

The specialist conducts comprehensive environmental health surveys of Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Tribal facilities, including schools, day care centers, gaming facilities, and health care facilities. The role also builds Tribal capacity to manage environmental health hazards by supporting the development of policies, procedures, regulations, employee training programs, and public education materials. The specialist serves as a technical consultant to Tribal program managers and leaders on identifying and mitigating environmental health hazards.

Employment is subject to federal suitability and background investigation requirements, financial suitability review, and other conditions described in the announcement. Applicants must hold a qualifying degree and the required professional registration. The position is a competitive GS-11 vacancy. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized, subject to a service agreement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level degree with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences, or allied sciences appropriate to the position, from an appropriately accredited program.
• Professional registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) or Registered Sanitarian (RS) through the National Environmental Health Association, or reciprocal registration from a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory; proof of certification or registration must be provided.
• Meet one of the GS-11 qualification paths: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level; three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree; or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For the experience path, qualifying work includes applying environmental health codes, standards, and best practices to identify risks and necessary mitigation; using interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to teach and gain compliance; evaluating and implementing environmental health control measures; and planning and administering environmental health work through a risk-based process.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successfully complete a federal background investigation and financial suitability review; complete required investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance.
• Provide two valid forms of identification before appointment; any state-issued ID or driver’s license used must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy if duties require work in an IHS healthcare facility, subject to applicable exemption procedures.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check and establish direct deposit.
• A service agreement is required if a recruitment or relocation incentive is authorized.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive environmental health program on assigned reservations.
• Address environmental health areas including safe water, solid and hazardous waste management, food protection, pool safety, healthy homes, occupational health and safety, safe childcare environments, vector control, community injury prevention, radon gas, and institutional health.
• Conduct comprehensive environmental health surveys of IHS, BIA, and Tribal facilities, including schools, day care centers, gaming facilities, and health care facilities.
• Help build Tribal capacity to manage community environmental health hazards.
• Assist with developing environmental health and occupational safety policies, procedures, regulations, employee training programs, and public education materials.
• Serve as a technical consultant to Tribal program managers and leaders, assisting with environmental health hazard identification and mitigation.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for the employee and family; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Federal annual leave accrual, with the rate based on years of federal service.
• IHS may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for directly related previous non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Student loan repayment programs may be available through IHS, NHSC, or HRSA for qualifying health disciplines; these are competitive programs separate from hiring and subject to hiring priorities and funding.

What This Job Offers

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