Environmental Health Specialist
City of Grand Forks
Grand Forks, ND
Full-time
Health Administration
Posted on November 26, 2024
To inspect licensed and regulated business operations and private water/septic systems; to investigate diseases and environmental complaints; to assist in epidemiological investigations and food safety & security issues; to perform environmental testing and surveillance; to consult with the public, industry, and government to coordinate the provision of environmental health programs, regulations and activities; and to aid in emergency response.
An incumbent in this position may be designated "Senior Environmental Health Specialist" if in possession of Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification. Essential Functions:
1. Review, evaluate, recommend changes to, and approve plans for: food service operations, swimming pools, daycares, body art facilities, and septic systems.
2. Inspect, evaluate, recommend changes to the operations of, and enforce rules pertaining to: food service establishments, mobile units, and temporary operations; swimming pools and spas; body art facilities; daycare centers; public or private water supply and wastewater disposal systems; solid waste disposal; group homes; hotels and motels; mobile home parks; campgrounds and other recreational areas.
3. Investigate nuisance complaints or incidents involving environmental concerns involving: water, wastewater, air quality, solid and hazardous waste, junk, animal manure, odor, noise, animal bites, vector control, and other environmental health concerns.
4. Perform environmental testing and surveillance including water tests of pools and spas, air quality tests, and noise level measurements; collection of environmental samples; identification and resolution of environmental issues.
5. Investigate health concerns regarding sanitation in housing, lodging, healthcare, and businesses; write professional reports and correspondence.
6. Provide information and outreach on food handling, swimming pools operations, healthy housing, and other environmental or public health issues.
7. Provide community assessment, research, and service to advance the environmental health of the region through local, state, and federal agencies. Coordinate with agencies having jurisdiction over issues of concern.
8. To provide environmental investigations and assist in epidemiological investigations of illness outbreaks.
9. Collaborate with others to implement specific environmental health programs and activities; consult with and advise the public and industry on environmental issues and problems; consult and advise local, city, county, and state officials on environmental health matters in nonemergency and emergency situations.
Marginal Functions:
1. Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned. Knowledge : Natural sciences, public health, psychology, and sociology; modern and complex principles and practices of public, government, and media relations; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations; operational characteristics, service, and activities of a comprehensive city-county environmental health services.
Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; maintain mental capacity to make sound decisions, demonstrate intellectual capabilities, and for effective interaction and communications with others; work independently under the broad guidelines of environmental health policies and practices; exercise extensive, independent judgment, and make environmental health decisions.
Abilities : Operate, calibrate, and maintain technical environmental testing equipment; interpret and explain combined city and county health department policies and procedures; prepare clear and concise reports. Experience : One year of experience in environmental health is desirable.
Education or Training : Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in physical or biological sciences, public health, or related field.
License or Certificate : Possession of or, ability to obtain within five years, the professional designation of a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) with the National Environmental Health Association. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a North Dakota Environmental Health Practitioner license or a North Dakota Certified Professional-Food Safety License pursuant to work assigned. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license
An incumbent in this position may be designated "Senior Environmental Health Specialist" if in possession of Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification. Essential Functions:
1. Review, evaluate, recommend changes to, and approve plans for: food service operations, swimming pools, daycares, body art facilities, and septic systems.
2. Inspect, evaluate, recommend changes to the operations of, and enforce rules pertaining to: food service establishments, mobile units, and temporary operations; swimming pools and spas; body art facilities; daycare centers; public or private water supply and wastewater disposal systems; solid waste disposal; group homes; hotels and motels; mobile home parks; campgrounds and other recreational areas.
3. Investigate nuisance complaints or incidents involving environmental concerns involving: water, wastewater, air quality, solid and hazardous waste, junk, animal manure, odor, noise, animal bites, vector control, and other environmental health concerns.
4. Perform environmental testing and surveillance including water tests of pools and spas, air quality tests, and noise level measurements; collection of environmental samples; identification and resolution of environmental issues.
5. Investigate health concerns regarding sanitation in housing, lodging, healthcare, and businesses; write professional reports and correspondence.
6. Provide information and outreach on food handling, swimming pools operations, healthy housing, and other environmental or public health issues.
7. Provide community assessment, research, and service to advance the environmental health of the region through local, state, and federal agencies. Coordinate with agencies having jurisdiction over issues of concern.
8. To provide environmental investigations and assist in epidemiological investigations of illness outbreaks.
9. Collaborate with others to implement specific environmental health programs and activities; consult with and advise the public and industry on environmental issues and problems; consult and advise local, city, county, and state officials on environmental health matters in nonemergency and emergency situations.
Marginal Functions:
1. Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned. Knowledge : Natural sciences, public health, psychology, and sociology; modern and complex principles and practices of public, government, and media relations; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations; operational characteristics, service, and activities of a comprehensive city-county environmental health services.
Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; maintain mental capacity to make sound decisions, demonstrate intellectual capabilities, and for effective interaction and communications with others; work independently under the broad guidelines of environmental health policies and practices; exercise extensive, independent judgment, and make environmental health decisions.
Abilities : Operate, calibrate, and maintain technical environmental testing equipment; interpret and explain combined city and county health department policies and procedures; prepare clear and concise reports. Experience : One year of experience in environmental health is desirable.
Education or Training : Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in physical or biological sciences, public health, or related field.
License or Certificate : Possession of or, ability to obtain within five years, the professional designation of a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) with the National Environmental Health Association. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a North Dakota Environmental Health Practitioner license or a North Dakota Certified Professional-Food Safety License pursuant to work assigned. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license
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