Environmental Health Specialist
Purpose of the position: The primary purpose of this position is to conduct state mandated inspections of facilities under the jurisdiction of BCHHS Environmental Health division and performs specialized programmatic functions to ensure compliance with public health laws and rules. This Environmental Health Specialist I position will be working in the Onsite Wastewater and Private Wells Program.
Essential Functions of the position:
- Enforce applicable state laws, rules, and local ordinances governing well installations and construction, private water supplies and on-site wastewater disposal systems promulgated by the state.
- Perform inspections and related activities for all new well installations, well repairs, on-site wastewater systems and system repairs as mandated by state laws and rules.
- Perform specialized functions within program area to ensure compliance of state mandated inspection requirements.
- Investigate a broad spectrum of environmental complaints and health related nuisances, provide recommendations and enforcement procedures are implemented to abate applicable situations.
- Evaluate soil and/or sites to determine suitability for sewage disposal systems and/or well location and make recommendations to property owners, realtors, developers and builders concerning soil/site suitability for an onsite wastewater system or well to serve the intended project.
- Provide assistance in investigating outbreaks of illness associated with water supplies and assist with corrective actions to protect public health.
- Perform inspections on sewage systems designs, and assists with inspections of all large or alternative systems.
- Provide assistance with inspections of engineered septic tank systems under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, on-site water protection branch.
- Inspect private water supply systems, collects water samples and other materials for laboratory test, interprets test results, informs the applicant and takes appropriate action.
- Keep accurate and detailed inspection records as mandated by the state.
- Serve as a consultant to assist applicants with proper maintenance and protection of water supplies and assure that recommended standards regarding such supplies are being maintained.
- Serve as the primary contact and consultant for well drillers, on-site wastewater installers, homeowners, contractors, realtors and other members of the public on wells, on-site wastewater systems and related groundwater issues
- Design wastewater disposal systems that comply with applicable rules and laws and issue necessary permits, conducts final inspections then authorize use of the system.
- Participate in On-Call rotation to respond to Public Health Emergencies.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Bachelor’s degree with 30 semester hrs of course work in the physical or biological sciences and two (2) years of exposure in environmental health; or a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental health from a program which is accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula of the National Environmental Health Association and one (1) year of experience in environmental health. Those with authorizations in OSWW and Private Drinking Water Well Program will be given preference.
Additional Training and Experience: Required to attend and pass the centralized training provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Most work related skills will be developed through in service and on the job training. Additionally, must be able to pass the state authorization evaluation and test in order to perform duties. Preference for candidates who have already obtained appropriate authorizations.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: Registration is required by the North Carolina Board of Sanitarian Examiners under the provisions of Chapter 90A of the General Statues of North Carolina. Educational requirements in accordance with Chapter 90A must be obtained each calendar year to renew registration in order to maintain Registered Environmental Health Specialist status.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Extensive knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as a complete understanding of the concepts of public health law.
- Extensive knowledge of regulations, inspection and investigation procedures, and applicable re-mediation techniques and procedures for assigned program area.
- Considerable knowledge of microbiology; biology, chemistry, epidemiology, soil science, communicable diseases, solid waste management, institutional sanitation and entomology as applied to grogram area and environmental health practices.
- Working knowledge of the design of on-site waste water treatment systems, food sanitation, food borne diseases, communicable diseases, vector control, protection of water supplies, solid waste management, and institutional sanitation as applicable to area of assignment.
- Working knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies involved in environmental health work.
- Ability to accurately interpret and enforce state and local laws, rules and ordinances.
- Ability to understand and use engineering, technical, and specialized information.
- Ability to analyze and comprehend a variety of technical and administrative regulation, records, and reports.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with a wide range of the public while communicating potential concerns and corrective measures and enforcing public health laws and rules.
- Must be able to auger a minimum of four feet and remove the auger and its contents for evaluation.
Department: Public Health Administration
Location: Asheville, NC
Job Posting End Date: March 05, 2021
Salary Range: $26.48 - $27.67
To Apply: www.buncombecounty.org/jobs