Public Health Specialist I, II, or III

State of Oklahoma • OK

89d • $63,800

About The Position

Positions within this job family are assigned responsibilities for planning, performing or supervising technical and professional work involving consumer protection and public health services. This includes performing inspections, surveys, and investigations to identify and eliminate conditions hazardous to life and health, providing consultative services and assistance in assigned areas of responsibility, ensuring corrective actions are taken to eliminate public health or other hazards, and ensuring compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.

Requirements

• Level I: Bachelor's degree with at least 30 semester hours in a biological, medical or physical science, food science or technology, chemistry, nutrition, engineering, epidemiology or closely related scientific field.
• Level II: Bachelor's degree with at least 30 semester hours in a biological, medical or physical science, food science or technology, chemistry, nutrition, engineering, epidemiology or closely related scientific field, plus one year of professional public health or consumer protection or a master's degree in a listed field and successful completion of state standardization to conduct food establishment inspections.
• Level III: Bachelor's degree with at least 30 semester hours in a biological, medical or physical science, food science or technology, chemistry, nutrition, engineering, epidemiology or closely related scientific field, plus three years of professional public health or consumer protection or a master's degree in a listed field and successful completion of state standardization to conduct food establishment inspections, plus 2 years of professional public health or consumer protection.

Responsibilities

• Conducts inspections, surveys, and investigations of food establishments, lodging facilities, public bathing places, schools, day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, and other regulated facilities to identify public health hazards or environmental conditions which are detrimental to life and health.
• Monitors state food supplies and products, provides training and technical assistance, and ensures compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
• Assists in the implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems in food establishments and in verifying implementation.
• Responds to complaints concerning food borne illnesses, adulterated foods, food tampering, recalls, insect or rodent infestation, or other issues related to food establishments or the sale of food and food products.
• Reviews and acts on various epidemiological reports and complaints, including animal bites, rabies, West Nile Virus and other disease outbreaks.
• Conducts environmental assessments and other surveys related to lodging, public bathing, and barber services.
• Prepares specimens for shipment for West Nile testing; performs inspections for lead contamination and other public health hazards or nuisances.
• Provides emergency response services for complaints concerning food borne illnesses, fires in food establishments, accidents involving the transportation of food, incidents concerning food or water contamination, and power outages or natural disasters involving food products.
• Conducts inspections or investigations on an as needed basis including on weekends and at night.
• Conducts field tests for chemical sanitizing agents using thermocouples, thermometers, and other evaluative instruments.
• Collects and transports food samples as required to determine adulteration, contamination, sources of pollution, and/or microbiological quality.
• Maintains legal chain of custody to preserve evidentiary requirements.
• Directs the embargo and disposal of food products found unfit for human consumption.
• Conducts evaluations to determine imminent hazards to life or health which warrant the closure of a facility.
• Prepares records, reports, and correspondence concerning regulatory actions as needed.
• Conducts follow-up inspections and surveys to ensure corrective actions have been taken and that public health hazards are eliminated.
• Testifies at hearings and court proceedings concerning regulatory actions as required.
• Provides assistance with developing and implementing county Emergency Response Plans.
• Provides assistance with county bioterrorism training exercises and serves as a responder in case of terrorist events.

Benefits

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
• A wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations.
• Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses and/or dependent care.
• Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year for full time employees.
• 11 paid holidays a year.
• Student Loan repayment options & tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts with a variety of companies and vendors.
• Longevity Bonus for years of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree