Environmental Specialist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Working knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as a complete understanding of the concepts of public heath law.
• Practical knowledge of microbiology, biology, chemistry, food science, epidemiology, soil science, entomology, and basic engineering technology as applied to environmental health practices.
• General knowledge of community resources.
• Working knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies involved in environmental health work.
• Working knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques as applied in environmental health.
• Ability to analyze and comprehend a wide variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports.
• Ability to develop and express ideas and opinions concisely, comprehensively, and clearly in oral and written from.
• Ability to independently plan and schedule work activities.
• Ability to apply environmental health knowledge and techniques in the investigation of environmental health problems.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with clients while enforcing public health laws is a must.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team is essential.
• Effective oral and written communication skills highly desired.
• Computer use is essential with working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Graduation from a four-year college or university with 30 semester of course work in the physical or biological sciences and two years of exposure in environmental health; or a four-year or Master’s degree in environmental health from a program which is accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula of the National Environmental Health Association and one year of experience in environmental health.
• Must be able to enter a correctional facility.
• Appointees must be eligible and apply for registration as an Environmental Health Specialist Intern within 60 days of employment.
• Appointees may remain registered as an Environmental Health Specialist Intern until registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist or up to two years, whichever comes first.
• Must be a Registered Environmental Health Specialist in North Carolina .
• Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license with a three-year acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Current REHS Candidates strongly preferred
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist candidates with current State authorizations in food and lodging are preferred.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish) desired.

Responsibilities

• Perform State mandated, unannounced sanitation inspections of Food, Lodging, and Institution, Childcare and Tattoo facilities.
• Investigate complaints from the public, medical referrals and community illness reports concerning suspected violations of environmental laws, rules and regulations.
• Complete and maintain necessary records of these inspections and/or complaint investigations.
• Conduct consultative visits with current, or potential, establishment owners/operators to build rapport as well as to educate on Environmental Health requirements.
• Take appropriate permit action when facilities fail to comply with minimum sanitation standards, and/or when an imminent health hazard exists.
• Perform office duties involving correspondence with the public.
• Collect routine water samples for all regulated facilities.
• Provide field training for new employees and other public health personnel.
• Participate in educational programs that are required to retain REHS status (minimum 15 hours of continuing education per year).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccination/immunity
• Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chicken Pox) vaccination/immunity
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Tuberculosis (TB) baseline screening within the last twelve (12) months prior to employment
• Hepatitis B vaccination/immunity – only required for DCoDPH employees with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposures.
• Required vaccination, serological testing to determine immunity, and baseline tuberculosis screening are available for all Public Health employees who elect to become DCoDPH patients upon request and at no cost.