Environmental Health Specialist I/II - Skagit County

LOCATION: Mount Vernon, WA

CLOSING DATE: March 23, 2021

OPPORTUNITY TYPE: Job

JOB #: 16984

POSTED: February 23, 2021

Description:

Essential Functions

This position may work in any aspect of the Environmental Health division. Areas of concentration may include food safety, solid and hazardous waste, on-site sewage, vectors, swimming pools and other areas within Environmental Health.  Each program area promotes health and safety through education, permitting, inspections, investigations and enforcement.  
 
Duties may include:
 

  • Inspection of retail food establishments for conformance to applicable regulations, implementation of control measures to correct violations, providing education and technical assistance to members of the food industry and the public; and responding to complaints.  Works collaboratively with the communicable disease team as directed in outbreak situations. May analyze the outbreak data utilizing epidemiological and statistical methods established by the Epidemiologist, under the direction of the division manager.

 

  • Investigating solid waste handling and illegal dumping complaints; provide education and technical assistance to the public on proper solid waste handling and chemical/physical hazards; ensuring compliance with applicable regulations through education and enforcement.

 

  • Complaint response to support the on-site sewage program; enforcement of operations and maintenance program; working collaboratively with other county departments, specifically Public Works Pollution Control and Identification program to investigate and monitor areas of pollution related to malfunctioning septic systems. Educate homeowners on proper septic system maintenance. Evaluates plans for construction of residential and commercial on-site sewage systems with respect to provisions of state and local regulations.  Works directly with design engineers, installers, general contractors, private individuals, and other public agencies.

 

  • Assisting with investigation of water contamination or waterborne illness complaints and outbreaks.  Inspecting camps, swimming pools and beaches on a scheduled basis.   May collect and submit shellfish samples for routine testing.  Assist with investigation of vector complaints.  Participate in emergency response activities and other duties as assigned.

 

  • Collects water or other environmental monitoring samples to assess the sanitary condition of surface water, ground water or other medium, analyzes test data and reports results to supervisor.

 

  • Provide technical assistance and consultation to the general public translating technical and regulatory information to a variety of audiences in response to environmental health and hazard inquiries. Follows-up on complaints relative to those situations that have an adverse effect on public health.

 

Skills/Eligibility:

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s of Science degree in microbiology, environmental health, public health or a related field. 
 
Two years of related experience preferred.
 
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted which provides the skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
 
Requires knowledge of:
 

  • Field of assignment and physical ability sufficient to perform thoroughly and accurately the full scope of responsibility.
  • Federal, state and local health programs and relationships as they impact environmental health.
  • Environmental Health programs, policies and procedures.
  • Principles of inspection and investigation 
  • Principles of disease prevention and control measures in a community setting.
  • Principles of HIPAA and maintenance of confidential medical information.
  • Design and function of water systems and on-site sewage disposal systems.

 
Requires the ability to:
 

  • Apply disease intervention techniques such as interviewing, investigation, screening and surveillance.
  • Gain confidence of persons and groups requiring services and ask questions to elicit required information.
  • Collect and analyze data.
  • Navigate geographical locations, including, but not limited to, the ability to read maps accurately and to use locator information appropriately for investigations. Read and understand architectural plans for food service mobile home parks, camps and similar establishments.
  • Read and understand architectural plans, legal descriptions and maps.
  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including public speaking as required.
  • Deal with the public in a courteous manner in situations which can be high conflict and require de-escalation.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, County officials, colleagues, other professionals and the public.
  • Participate in the District’s Safety and Health Program and adhere to personal protection standards when appropriate
  • Maintaining accurate records, including entering results of inspections into computer databases.
  • Solid waste and chemical hazards and awareness of other agencies dealing with the handling and control of dangerous and toxic wastes.
  • Operation of standard office equipment, including computer (Word, Excel, PPT and other databases), Fax, Phone, copy machines etc..
  • Troubleshoot software and hardware computer problems.
  • Plan and monitor work assignments related to a specific program or group of programs.
  • Oversee and coordinate the work of other staff. 

 

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