Environmental Health Specialist 1

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference and serve the public? Are you passionate about environmental public health? Do you enjoy technical work and ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and standards? Come join the Southwest District Health team! Southwest District Health is currently recruiting for an Environmental Health Specialist 1 to work in land-based programs such as sewage disposal systems, water systems, and land development.

This position will be used for training purposes for the Environmental Health Specialist 2 job classification. Through various types of on-the-job training, employees will learn to carry out the duties and responsibilities of an Environmental Health Specialist 2 and will be eligible for reclassification into a vacant Environmental Health Specialist 2 position upon completion of the credentialing exam with the National Environment Health Association (NEHA).

This permanent classified position also includes a comprehensive benefit package including: PERSI Retirement Benefits, Medical/Dental Benefits and Life Insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents. Paid time-off includes vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately upon hire and Holiday pay.

• Inspect and evaluate environmental health concerns and enforce environmental health laws and advise on environmental concerns.
• Evaluate environmental health conditions through inspections, surveys, and investigations of food program establishments, day care facilities, solid waste systems, water supplies, sewage disposal systems, and land development sites for compliance with laws, regulations, and standards.
• Conducts tests to determine levels of pollution or contamination; operates and maintains specialized testing equipment and detection devices.
• Determines existence and cause of violations and prepares reports of findings for case facts.
• Provides assistance regarding control and correction of environmental practices.
• Promotes public awareness of environmental laws, regulations, and standards.
• Consults with business proprietors regarding health regulations.
• Reviews plans and specifications for land development, sewage disposal systems, child care facilities and food establishments for compliance with sanitation standards.

Licensure Requirement:

• Licensed in Idaho as an Environmental Health Specialist or Environmental Health Specialist Trainee or possession of a temporary permit is required prior to appointment (I.C. 54-2408)
• The Environmental Health Specialist 1 must obtain licensure within one year of appointment.

Specialty Requirement:

• Valid Driver's License
• Incumbent must be willing to meet the National Environmental Health Association registration requirements as an Environmental Health Specialist or Trainee.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Computer experience using a word processor, electronic spreadsheets, database programs, and presentation software.
• Educational experience that has prepared you to evaluate environmental health conditions in a variety of establishments.
• Experience in compliance activities i.e., enforcing policies and procedures; compliance with rules by reviewing documents, on-site visits, etc.; enforcing ordinances, statutes, or rules.

Work may involve aggressive or hostile situations and exposure to extreme weather, physical hazards, infectious diseases, toxic substances, and hazardous materials. Position may involve lifting 50-pound objects to waist height, 24-hour on-call response to environmental problems, and travel within the local service area of a public health district.

To be hired, candidates will have a history and background supportive of department mission goals and hiring will be subject to:

• I-9 Verification to show you are a U.S. Citizen, have permanent residence, or a foreign national with authorization to work in the United States.
• Completing a pre-employment drug test.
• Having a criminal background check.

Hiring is done without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability. If you need special accommodations to satisfy testing requirements, please contact the Division of Human Resources at (208) 334-2263.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under State and Federal laws and regulations