Siouxland District Health Environmental Health Specialist

Summary

Woodbury Conty benefits include: IPERS. Health Insurance with $250/Deductible, Free Dental, Life & LTD Insurance, Sick leave benefits, Vacation, 10 Paid Holidays, 2 Personal Days, and a moving allowance is negotiable. 



Must reside in or immediately adjacent to the assigned territory of Woodbury County. 

Under general supervision, Environmental Health Specialists perform professional work in environmental health programs such as, but not limited to: regulation and inspection of retail food operations, hotel/motel inspection, inspection of public pools and spas, evaluation of property for the installation of on-site septic systems, private water well permitting, tattoo and tanning facility inspection, animal bite follow up and rabies control, water sample collection and analysis, lead paint inspection and childhood lead poisoning prevention, septic pumper inspection, arbovirus surveillance and mosquito collection, outbreak investigation, emergency response, enforcement, community education and coalition-building,  and other related work as required. 

Essential Functions

Essential Duties:

• Conduct routine environmental inspections in assigned program areas to determine compliance with applicable rules, standards, and regulations; review plans and specifications, previous inspection reports, and operating or construction permits; observe the facility in operation; collect samples and data; perform analytical analysis; and follow up and carry out enforcement actions when necessary.
• Respond to requests from a wide variety of public and private entities or individuals for information or technical assistance on a variety of environmental issues; assist them with problems or questions they may encounter; and explain and clarify rules and regulations.
• Prepare oral and/or written reports (including tables, charts, graphs, etc.) to disseminate, interpret, explain, or summarize information to department staff, facility operators, governmental agencies, courts, private industry representatives, and the general public.
• Review various reports, permit applications, facility floor plans, corrective action plans, etc. and ensure compliance with applicable rules.
• Attend training sessions, professional meetings, seminars, and/or conduct special studies or projects on a variety of environmental issues to further knowledge of agency programs and specific subject matter areas in order to better perform assigned duties.
• Assist in providing technical assistance and guidance in environmental program areas to the general public, government and industrial officials, and local boards of health to facilitate compliance with appropriate regulations and protect public health.
• Respond to emergency situations such as fires, illness outbreaks, and floods on a 24-hour call response basis to protect public health and to facilitate cleanup as quickly as possible.
• Make presentations to various public and/or professional groups on a variety of environmental or related topics in order to relay current information on various programs and explain departmental rules, state laws, policies, etc.
• Investigate foodborne illnesses and other public sanitation problems by interviewing people, conducting inspections, collecting necessary samples for analysis, analyzing data, determining outbreak source, and instituting measures to correct problems. 

Essential Knowledge, Experience, and Ability

Agency Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the quality improvement process within the agency.
• Ensure compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) covering the security and privacy of confidential client data.
• Ensure participant records and communication with participants, co-workers and other health professionals are in accordance with Confidentiality Policy.
• Attend and participate in work-related meetings, conferences/seminars and committees.
• Assist in agency/division planning and response to disaster situations and emergency situations or events in conjunction with agency emergency plan.
• Provide customer service that is courteous and responsive.
• Demonstrate professional oral, phone and written communication skills.
• Model professional behavior to peers and participants.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Essential Education, Certification, and/or Licenses

Education, Experience and Special Requirements:  

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in a natural science.
• Must meet academic eligibility requirements for credentialing as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) through the National Environmental Health Association, including an algebra or higher math course and 30 semesters hours/45 quarter hours in basic sciences.
• Additional certifications may be required, such as Certified Pool Operator (CPO), Iowa Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor, Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM), or Iowa Time of Transfer Inspector.  These requirements are based on program assignment and are supported by SDHD.
• CPR Certification required or be willing to attend training
• Must have valid driver's license, reliable transportation and ability to obtain car insurance at agency-specified liability level.

ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE APPLICATION OTHERWISE THE APPLICATION WILL NOT BE FORWARDED. 

A County application form, a resume, and a copy of college transcripts are required.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:
4:30 p.m.,  Monday December 2nd, 2024 or until position filled 

Woodbury County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will consider reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the Employer.