Environmental Health Specialist

Indian Health Service • Rhinelander, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Located in the Division of Environmental Health Services, Office of Environmental Health & Engineering, Bemidji Area IHS, Rhinelander District Office, Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The incumbent independently plans, develops, and implements a comprehensive environmental health program on assigned reservations in accordance with Part 3, Chapter 11, Environmental Health Services, of the IHS Manual and other written OEHE guidelines.

The program emphasizes 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 position conducts environmental health surveys of IHS, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Tribal facilities, and supports Tribal capacity to identify and mitigate environmental health hazards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or graduate/higher-level degree with a major in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences, or allied sciences appropriate to the work; the degree must be from an appropriately recognized accredited educational program.
• For GS-11, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower Federal grade level, applying environmental health codes, standards, and best practices to identify risks for mitigation; using interpersonal, writing, 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.
• Alternatively, three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D., a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• Current 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.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification and a federal background investigation, including financial-history review.
• Provide two valid forms of identification before appointment; any state-issued ID or driver's license provided must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Federal competitive-service merit promotion candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements; qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive environmental health program on assigned reservations using a risk-based approach.
• Conduct 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.
• Assist Tribes in 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 on identifying and mitigating environmental health hazards.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual, at a rate based on years of Federal service.
• IHS may credit newly appointed Federal employees for directly related previous non-Federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual rate.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized; a service agreement will be required.
• Potential eligibility to compete separately for student loan repayment programs through IHS, NHSC, or HRSA, subject to program criteria, agency priorities, and funding availability.

What This Job Offers

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