Environmental Health Program Specialist- Onsi

Job Description
**Please note that this position is not affiliated or associated with CCPN. CCPN provides recruitment assists to independent primary practices in North Carolina and all position content was approved by the practice. **

The Toe River Health District's mission is to assure the conditions necessary for the residents of our service area to be healthy. To achieve this end, the district operates local health departments in each of its two counties, Avery and Mitchell. The local health departments accomplish the mission through an organized community effort focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, education and awareness, access to and provision of quality care and careful stewardship of public funds.
Position Summary
This is advanced professional environmental health work in the promotion and protection of public health through education, surveillance, consultation, inspection, and enforcement of State, local and Federal environmental health laws, rules, and regulations. Employee will function as an advanced specialist in an environmental health program, specifically Onsite. Employee in advanced specialist role spends the majority of time in the specialty area and functions both within and outside of the health department as a consultant to other environmental health specialists and to local officials, business concerns, contractors, and developers on the more complex issues which arise. Employees in program specialist role spend the majority of time in direct service activities in addition to performing in a limited supervisory capacity. Work may include assisting in the training of new Environmental Health (EH) Specialists.

The position includes access to electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). Level of access to ePHI is determined by the job description and is set by the staff assigned to administer the specific software program that includes ePHI.
Essential Functions

• The Onsite Program Specialist must analyze the more complex problems and issues in the Onsite program area, and develop and recommend alternate courses of action to other environmental health specialists, various groups, and businesses.
• The primary responsibilities of the Onsite Sewage program is to oversee and regulate the design and installation of on-site sewage systems. These duties fall into four main categories: (1) Site evaluation and issuance of improvements permits

(2) inspection of newly installed septic systems/ issuance of completion permits

(3) investigation and resolution of complaints

(4) inspection of pre-existing septic systems.

• The primary responsibilities are to insure that the location, construction and repair of private water supply wells and abandonment of wells conform to standards as to protect the public's health as well as the groundwater resources. These duties fall into four main categories:

(1) Siting the well before drilling begins to insure that all applicable setbacks can be met from potential sources of contamination. (2) Inspection of the well during the grouting process to insure that the bore hole around the well casing is filled with grout to a depth of 20 feet.

(3) Inspecting the well head after pump installation to insure that all requirements for certificate completion have been met.

(4) Sampling of the well to check for possible contaminants such as bacteria, nitrates, etc.

• The primary responsibilities are inspection and enforcement of Federal, State and local environmental health laws, rules, and regulations to protect the public's health. The North Carolina General Statutes dictate the frequency of inspections for each type of facility. Facilities are usually inspected during normal operating hours. These duties fall into four main categories:

(1) On-site inspection of facility/establishment. Following the inspection, a form is completed and a grade card is usually posted. The inspection form shall reflect any violations discovered during the inspection. (2) Plan Review and Construction Design for all new/remodeled food & lodging establishments.

(3) Investigation of Complaints pertaining to food establishments: All complaints are investigated and corrective action is taken when justified.

(4) Investigation of Foodborne Outbreaks: The term "food poisoning" is applied to all illnesses acquired through consumption of contaminated food or water.

• Requires a separate authorization to review plans and conduct inspections of Child Care and School Sanitation Programs.
• The primary responsibilities are inspecting water and sewer facilities serving migrant housing. These duties fall into two main categories:

(1) The septic system is checked to insure proper operation/maintenance.

(2) The well head is inspected for compliance with state standards and a bacteriological water sample is drawn.

• In the absence of animal control officers in the Toe River Health District, this duty falls to the local

health. The primary responsibilities are the animal investigation, confinement, euthenasia and shipment for testing. These duties fall into three main categories:

(1) Investigation, which includes: locating the animal(s) and owner, and verifying rabies vaccination status (for dogs, cats, and ferrets).

(2) Confinement, which includes a 10 day quarantine (or longer) of the animal at an approved location. It is the responsibility of the EH Program Specialist or EH Specialist to verify proper quarantine by occasional site visits within the established confinement period.

(3) Enforce euthanasia as mandated by law if rabies is suspected. If an animal is euthanized, the animal head is packaged and sent to State Lab for testing.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience at the Environmental Health Specialist level in a health department.
• Must be a current Registered Environmental Health Specialist in N.C.
• Must possess a valid N.C. driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Employee must have extensive knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as erudite understanding of the concepts of public health law.
• Work requires a broad and in-depth understanding and knowledge of professional standards, technology, methodology and concepts in Onsite as well as a complete understanding of the methodologies and concepts of the total environmental health field.
• Considerable knowledge of microbiology, biology, chemistry, food science, epidemiology, soil science, entomology, and basic engineering technology as it applies to environmental health practices is also needed.
• It is helpful for the employee to have some general knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies relating to environmental health and community resources.
• General knowledge of the interrelationship between socio-economic factors and environmental health concerns.
• Considerable knowledge of the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems, protection of private well water supplies, waterborne disease, vector control, food sanitation, foodborne disease, communicable disease, institutional sanitation, and swimming pool safety is also required.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with a wide range of public contacts while enforcing public health laws and rules
• Ability to function independently; ability to motivate and educate business and property owners and the public in matters related to protecting public health
• Ability to analyze and comprehend a wide variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports
• Ability to work with people from every social, political, economic, and professional background imaginable
• Ability to use common sense to solve problems when there is no exact or well-defined answer.

Working Conditions

• Working conditions are typical of those encountered in most indoor/outdoor activities with the additional considerations of exposure to inclement weather, difficult terrain, or filth. Employees may have contact with antagonistic and/or uncooperative members of the general public, and decisions rendered in some cases result in considerable emotional stress.
• Hazards: Employees may be exposed to moving machinery, hot grease, or communicable diseases which may result in some lost time.

Work Schedule

• This position is exempt from NC wage and hour regulation. Scheduled work hours are 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Work is sometimes required outside these hours for inspection of establishments operating after 4:30, investigation of situations posing a hazard to public health (such as an animal bite or a suspected food poisoning outbreak), inspection/permitting of Temporary Food Establishments at mass gatherings or other special events, inspection/permitting of Limited Foodservice Establishments (such as Concession Stands at amateur athletic events), finishing well grouting or final septic inspections that began during regular working hours.

Benefits

• Vacation Pay
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Holiday
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Supplemental life
• Retirement Investment Plans (401K and 457)
• Longevity pay
• Court and Jury Leave
• Continuing Education
• Funeral Leave