PT - Environmental Health Specialist

Hamilton County, Indiana • Noblesville, IN

1d

About The Position

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Incumbent serves as Part-Time Environmental Health Specialist for the Health Department, responsible for protecting environmental welfare of county residents by investigating/analyzing hazardous conditions, enforcing local, state and federal codes, and educating the public.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate Degree in environmental health, environmental science, food science, agronomy, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of or ability to obtain certification as a registered environmental health specialist, certified pool operator, certified pest control operator, hazardous materials specialist, certified professional in food safety, standardized retail food inspector, and lead risk assessor/lead risk inspector.
• Working knowledge of and ability to enforce state and local environmental health codes, including on-site sewage system and well standards, solid waste disposal, food service and swimming pool operations, housing standards, and communicable disease and vector control.
• Ability to conduct effective investigations, and inspect sites for potential code violations, including collecting/recording/analyzing data and test samples, maintaining accurate records, preparing reports, making relevant arithmetic calculations, interpreting technical documents, such as construction plans, soil profiles, and topographic maps.
• Ability to properly operate various instruments and equipment, such as computer, printer, calculator, level, hand auger, soil and tile probes, tape measure, laser or other such equipment to verify elevations, chemical test kits, engineering rulers, light meter, and thermometers.
• Ability to use appropriate universal health and safety precautions to avoid contamination/infection in high-risk environments.
• Ability to work on several tasks at the same time, sometimes under time pressure, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, related state agencies, on-site sewage system contractors, well drillers, soil scientists, property owners, food service personnel, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions/directions, and appropriately respond to constructive criticism.
• Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.
• Ability to comply with all employer/department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements.
• Ability to occasionally work extended, evening and/or weekend hours, and occasionally travel out of town for conferences and training, sometimes overnight.
• Ability to serve and respond swiftly, rationally and decisively to public health emergencies.
• Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.
• As a result of the duties associated with this job, there is the potential of becoming exposed to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious diseases. To safeguard employees and eliminate the liability placed on Hamilton County, employees working in this position shall begin the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination and subsequent training within 10 days of their initial job assignment per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2)(i). The initial and two subsequent vaccinations shall be administered by the Hamilton County Health Department and free of charge to the employee. If the employee has previously received the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination, official documentation must be provided to the supervisor identifying the dates in which each shot was appropriately administered. A Temporary Medical Declination may be made for a period of up to six months. A Declination form must be completed, outlining the medical reasons for the temporary declination and forwarded to the Safety & Risk Manager. Employees temporarily declining the vaccine are prohibited from performing any duties in which they may be exposed to a blood borne pathogen or other potentially infectious disease until they are able to begin/continue the series of vaccinations. Failure to comply will result in termination of employment.

Responsibilities

• Maintains detailed computer records and organized document files for all activities as required.
• Inspects food service establishments according to a regular schedule or in response to public complaint, reviewing potential health violations and hazards; checking internal food and equipment temperatures, food sources/labeling/condition, and staff hygiene; checking/advising personnel on proper sanitation, food handling, chemical storage, and rodent/insect control; focusing on identifying and controlling potential hazards in food production utilizing a HACCP approach; investigating foodborne illness outbreaks and collaborating with other agencies to prevent future outbreaks; occasionally collecting samples; and taking appropriate action to ensure compliance with all requirements, such as serving violation notices, and conducting administrative hearings and follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with orders.
• Reviews plans for new or remodeled food establishments for code compliance, communicating possible violations, and making recommendations as needed.
• Inspects sites in processing applications for food service permits, and issues permits as appropriate; renews permits annually.
• Periodically inspects mobile/temporary food vendors at special events.
• Reviews and processes applications for residential on-site sewage system permits and commercial on-site sewage systems as delegated by the Indiana Department of Health, including performing feasibility analyses with property owners and soil scientists at proposed sites, researching property records, analyzing/interpreting soil reports and topography, reviewing installation plans, determining appropriate locations and types of permits according to state and local codes, and explaining/providing procedures and requirements to property owners.
• Issues permits, enters on computer, and conducts on-site inspections during and after construction to ensure continuing compliance, issuing stop work orders for non-compliance as needed.
• Investigates complaints of illegal on-site sewage system discharge or malfunction, including inspecting sites, conducting dye tests to determine flow source, collecting/submitting samples, and discussing resolution of problems with property owners.
• Reviews and processes applications for well permits, including reviewing site plans, determining appropriate locations according to state and local codes, entering on the computer, issuing permits, inspecting placement and grading after construction, and collecting/delivering water samples.
• Sends notices of water sample results to the property owner.
• Inspects public and semi-public swimming pools to ensure compliance with local/state/federal standards for water chemistry/quality and safety, including inspecting pool sites, checking safety devices, reviewing operating records and water sampling results, using test kit to evaluate chemical concentrations in the water, and initiating action to resolve problems.
• Takes appropriate action to ensure compliance with all requirements, such as serving violation notices, and conducting administrative hearings and follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with orders.
• Reviews plans for new or remodeled public and semi-public swimming pools for code compliance, communicating possible violations, and making recommendations as needed.
• Inspects sites in processing applications for public and semi-public swimming pool permits, and issues permits as appropriate; renews permits annually.
• Completes lead risk assessments and inspections in conjunction with nursing staff for children with elevated blood lead levels; research all possible sources of lead exposure; inspect homes for defective and/or lead-based painted surfaces using visual inspection, XRF and dust wipe samples; collect and process samples of various items for testing; document inspection results according to protocols and program requirements.
• Receives and investigates complaints regarding water quality, open dumping and burning, rodent and insect infestations, unsanitary/unsafe housing conditions, child welfare, hazardous waste sites, trash, and air quality.
• Prepares and mails code violation notices to property owners, responds to inquiries, and conducts follow-up inspections to ensure compliance.
• Periodically works with County Attorney and testifies in legal proceedings as required.
• Serves as a resource to the public regarding various environmental health issues, responding to inquiries/concerns by telephone and in office, preparing/providing printed materials, and occasionally attending meetings and/or making presentations to community groups, such as food service personnel, pool operators, on-site sewage system and well installers, and property owners.
• Periodically responds to hazardous waste spills, including assisting in identifying hazardous materials, securing the area, evacuating the public as needed, ensuring appropriate local/state/federal agencies are notified, and ensuring spills are properly removed.
• Maintains current knowledge of environmental health issues and regulations by periodically attending seminars and meetings.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life (employee, spouse, children), Long and short-term Disability
• Hamilton County Employee Health Center & Pharmacy (Noblesville/Westfield): High quality primary medical care facility and wellness services
• Advocacy Program – One-on-one appointment with a Physician to evaluate chronic illness/injuries
• Nutrition Education and Wellness Center (diabetes, high cholesterol, weight loss and management, cancer and kids health)
• Pharmacy – Low-cost co-payments, encourage use of generic meds, Medication Management Program providing review of medication interactions/effectiveness
• Leave Benefits: Sick leave, bereavement, holidays (10-13 per year), compensatory time, paid time off (1 week at 6 months, 2 weeks at 1 year then an additional day each year until max of 22 days on year 15). Upon completion of 30 years of service time, employees earn 1 additional day per year up to 40 years of service time.
• Retirement Benefit Options: Indiana Public Employee Retirement Fund Pension (annuity & pension), AUL Deferred Compensation Plan, McCready Retirement (Merit staff)

What This Job Offers

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