Under the direction of the Environmental Health Manager, the incumbent Environmental Health Specialist is responsible for performing environmental health services mandated by local, State and federal regulations regarding sanitation and disease control throughout Skagit County. The incumbent will implement Skagit County’s Environmental Health division activities including on-site sewage system safety, drinking water safety, food safety, and solid and hazardous waste rules and regulations, with an emphasis in our on-site sewage system & drinking water program. This position will perform inspections, review and approve technical plans and routinely educate the public and respond to public inquiries.

This vacancy is for an Environmental Health Specialist II

Distinction between Environmental Health Specialist I and II

Environmental Health Specialist I:

This is the entry level classification for Environmental Health Specialists. The incumbent works under the direction of an EHS III performing routine inspections and investigations. Advancement to the EHS II level generally occurs after two years of experience as an Environmental Health Specialist and is based upon demonstrated proficiency in performing assigned functions, supervisor, and director recommendation, and adequate budget. Final approval of promotion to EHS II remains with the County Administrator or designee and will become effective on the date determined by Human Resources.

Environmental Health Specialist II:

Employees within this range are distinguished from the EHS I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned. Requires Registration with the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians as a Registered Sanitarian or the National Environmental Health Association as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist within the first year of employment. The EHS II has a minimum of two years of experience in the field of assignment, with a full working knowledge of environmental health principles and can apply them with considerable independent judgment and action. The EHS II should be able to respond in complex and sometimes difficult and/or emergent situations according to recommended guidelines. The EHS II may be assigned program coordination or other leadership roles. Working independently, the EHS II is fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit and needs only occasional instruction or assistance.

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, drinking water quality, 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. Evaluate plans for retail food establishment operation. 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.
• Inspect solid waste facilities for conformance with applicable regulations. Investigate solid waste handling and illegal dumping complaints; provide education and technical assistance to the public on proper solid waste handling and chemical/physical hazards and ensure compliance with applicable regulations through education and enforcement. Evaluate plans for construction and operation of permitted solid waste facilities with respect to provisions of state and local code. Review and evaluate hydrogeological reports.
• Evaluates plans for construction of residential and commercial on-site sewage systems with respect to provisions of state and local regulations. Inspects on-site sewage systems for conformance with applicable regulations. Complaint response for the on-site sewage system program and enforcement of operations and maintenance program. Works collaboratively with other county departments, including 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. Works directly with design engineers, installers, general contractors, private individuals, and other public agencies.
• Evaluates plans of drinking water systems for conformance to applicable regulations. Ensures compliance with applicable regulations through education and enforcement. Inspects drinking water systems for conformance with applicable regulations. Provides education and technical assistance to the public on drinking water quality.
• 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, algae and vector 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 conveying 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.

• Maintains accurate field records, writes reports, and makes recommendations for follow-up actions based upon findings of investigations.
• Writes grant proposals, implements, and monitors grant activities and provides reports and deliverables for compliance.
• Issues and renews permits as related to area of assignment.
• Reviews and approves plans and architectural drawings as related to area of assignment.

• Participates in updating program related codes, ordinance, policies, protocols.

• Implement other environmental health and infectious disease control responsibilities, as assigned.
• Updates and uses computerized data management systems.

SUPERVISORY:

No supervisory responsibilities of staff. Oversee programs and contracts as assigned.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

May require some weekend and evening work and adjustments to normal working hours as required to conduct inspections.

May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology, environmental health, public health, or a related field.
• Two years of related experience preferred.

• 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, schools, camps, and other similar establishments.
• Read and understand architectural plans, technical drawings, legal descriptions, and maps.
• Listen attentively and communicate effectively both orally and in writing, in clear, concise language appropriate for the purpose and parties addressed, 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 Department’s Safety and Health Program and adhere to personal protection standards when appropriate.
• Be attentive to details. Maintain 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.

EHS I:

Valid Washington State driver's license.

EHS II:

Requires registration with the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians as a Registered Sanitarian or the National Environmental Health Association as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist within the first year of employment.

Valid State of Washington Wastewater Treatment Systems Inspector Certificate of Competency must be obtained at a time established by Skagit County Public Health, generally within eighteen months of hire if assigned to the On-site Sewage System Program.

Valid Washington State driver's license.

Work is performed partially in an office environment and requires field inspection of swimming pools, beaches, sewage facilities, food establishments, solid waste handling facilities and other areas related to public health. Physical effort is required to conduct inspections and sampling. Physical ability to perform fieldwork outdoors in varying weather conditions and to walk on rough terrain for considerable periods. Hand-eye coordination, lifting, full physical mobility. Requires ability to be outdoors in all types of weather conditions and to walk on all types of terrain.

Requires ability to drive an automobile and to utilize a telephone and standard office equipment.

Physical hazards include, falling and sharp objects at licensed and illegal solid waste sites and landfills, exposure to driving hazards and variable conditions and weather at inspection sites. Exposure to infectious disease and blood borne pathogens may occur. Chemical hazards include potential exposure to hazardous chemicals in school laboratories, chemical spills or commercial facilities.