Enviromental Health Officer: Food Safety Inspection Officer

Description

Under general supervision, performs professional work in an environmental control program including but not necessarily limited to water quality, safe drinking water, environmental lead and lead poisoning, integrated solid waste management, private sewage disposal systems, sanitation evaluation and regulation regarding food service, processing and storage; and lodging establishments; conducts inspections and evaluations encompassing food establishments, pools/spas, lead safety inspections and Healthy Homes assessments, tattoo facilities, hotels/motels, well systems and septic systems.

• Must be capable of regular and predictable attendance at a specified location to perform assigned tasks.
• Conducts environmental inspections and assessments, including initial, routine, follow-up or in response to complaints, to ensure compliance with applicable rules, standards, and regulations.
• Examines facility plans and specifications, previous inspection reports, operating and construction permits; collects samples and data; and performs analyses as necessary to determine compliance with applicable rules, standards, and regulations.
• Research and review applicable regulations, standards or rules including state, city, and county codes to develop improvement plans in response to non-compliance.
• Responds to walk-in/written/telephone/electronic requests from public and private entities or individuals for information or technical assistance on environmental issues; assists customer with problems or questions they may encounter and explains and clarifies rules, regulations, and policies.
• Investigates food borne illnesses and other public sanitation problems, including data analysis, source determination, and measures to stop or prevent outbreaks, follow-up investigations, client interviews and collection of samples for analysis.
• Investigates vermin complaints as indicated; monitors seasonal mosquito activity for vector borne illnesses.
• Prepares electronic reports, using approved software applications, to communicate/summarize inspection, regulation, analysis, and other environmental regulatory information.
• Participates in the review of local ordinances, state administrative rules, and federal standards to identify gaps and/or opportunities to promote safe environmental practice.
• Collaborates with other enforcement agencies, elected officials, academic institutions, business partners and general public to address environmental health issues, including education on environmental topics.
• Collaborates with the internal team to promote best practice, flexibility, high morale, and productivity.
• Attends trainings and professional meetings to further knowledge in agency programs or in specific subject matter areas.
• Other duties as assigned.
• SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Administrative and functional supervision is received from the Program Manager, Program Supervisor, or other designee.
• SUPERVISION EXERCISED:None

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree and major course work in the natural or physical sciences; or a bachelor’s degree with an equivalent combination of experience and education substituting one year of full-time professional work in an environmental health or food sanitation program for each year (30 semester hours) of required science coursework.
• Eligible for certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) preferred.
• Previous experience dealing with the public in the area of public health, environmental health or related field work preferred.
• Knowledgeable of state, federal, and local environmental control laws, rules, and regulations, and their application to environmental health programs.
• Ability to read, interpret and analyze plans and blueprints.
• Previous experience in well and septic system design, installation and inspections preferred.
• Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills and a professional demeanor.
• Must maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with computers and software applications required.
• Knowledge of geographic information systems to organize,…