Environmental Health Specialist I​/II

Performs and monitors all duties of environmental health programs in county or special area of assignment to ensure compliance with federal, State, and local standards and regulations regarding sanitation and disease control. Meets with and educates the public and responds to inquiries and complaints. Conducts and interprets appropriate surveillance, inspections, and investigations. Implements Skagit County's Environmental Health Division activities including food safety, on-site sewage, solid waste, drinking water quality and chemical/physical hazards, rules and regulations as field inspector.

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.

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, as stipulated by Skagit County Public Health, generally 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.

• Salary upon hire is step 1 through 3 dependent on qualifications.
  • Environmental Health Specialist I - $32.23/hr.
    
    - $34.55/hr.
  • Environmental Health Specialist II - $37.03/hr.
    
    - $39.67/hr.
• Progressive increases are based on years of service with Skagit County, up to 8 total steps.
  • The Environmental Health Specialist I is range 14 of the PROTEC Health salary schedule, top step is $41.04/hr.
  • The Environmental Health Specialist II is range 16 of the PROTEC Health salary schedule, top step is $47.11/hr.

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.

• 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 residential and commercial on-site sewage systems with respect to provisions of state and local regulations. Inspects on-site sewage systems for conformance with…