Chief Environmental Health Specialist

POSITION:
Chief Environmental Health Specialist

DEPARTMENT:
Health

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m.

- 4:30 p.m., M-F

STATUS:
Full-time

FLSA STATUS:
Exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Steuben County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless the accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Chief Environmental Health Specialist for Steuben County Health Department, responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local public and environmental health regulations, supervising and directing assigned personnel, and providing operational oversight for Food Protection, Onsite Sewage Systems, Nuisance Complaints, Water Wells, Vector Control, and Pool Programs.

DUTIES:

Supervises and directs assigned personnel, including administering personnel programs, informing staff of organizational developments, planning and delegating work assignments, providing training, reviewing position documentation, maintaining discipline and recommending corrective action as warranted, and assisting the Health Officer and Administrator with interviewing applicants, hiring and terminating personnel as necessary.

Conducts environmental inspections for public health programs as needed, including reviewing potential health violations and hazards, taking appropriate action to ensure compliance with all requirements, completing reports, processing applications, receiving fees, and providing receipts for appropriate licenses.

Responds to inquiries, requests, and problems concerning various public health issues including, but not limited to, residential on-site sewage systems, sanitary sewer systems, private water wells, retail food establishments, public and semi-public swimming pools, and related environmental concerns. Provides information and assistance, including explaining procedures, conducting inspections, and issuing or denying permits as appropriate.

Schedules and conducts administrative violation hearings as required, including reviewing case documentation, coordinating involved parties, mediating discussion, and developing compliance schedules. Refers cases to attorneys as needed. Provides expert testimony in court proceedings as needed.

Receives, investigates, and resolves public health complaints regarding potential code violations, including, but not limited to, food establishments, foodborne illness, public and semi-public swimming pools, waterborne illness, housing, environmental spills, trash, dead animals, septic/sewers, and other related public health hazard concerns. Conducts on-site inspections as needed, including photographing sites, sending warning letters, conducting follow-up investigations, and working with appropriate individuals to resolve conflicts or take legal enforcement action as required to ensure compliance.

Notifies regulating agencies and facilitates enforcement procedures as necessary, including maintaining various records, case files, inspection data, and code violations, and reviewing preparing, and submitting reports as required.

Assists the public as needed, including, but not limited to, investigating complaints, conducting record searches for environmental information, providing technical information in various public health areas, presenting educational talks to community groups, and conducting public health education programs and training.

Attends and represents Department environmental health programs at various public health related meetings and maintains written and oral communication with various state and local agencies or departments to resolve problems and complaints, coordinate services, and research regulations.

Maintains current knowledge of environmental health issues by reading professional publications, serving on committees as directed, and attending meetings, professional workshops, training…