Environmental Health Specialist

Primary Responsibility

The primary responsibility of this position is the promotion of public health through surveillance, inspection, consultation, education, and enforcement of environmental health laws and regulations.

• Conduct land evaluations of proposed dwelling sites for on‑site wastewater disposal systems and water supply installations. Assessments are based on soil porosity, type, structure, particle size, water table, topography, land area, existing structures, water supply sources, and numerous other considerations for dependable accuracy in judgments for land use. Issues Construction Authorizations and Improvement Permits when applicable. Educate the public concerning the need for proactive environmental programs and how they protect the public's health.
• Design on‑site sewage treatment systems for private residences and commercial buildings that meet existing conditions as described above. Provide acceptable alternative sewage system designs when environmental conditions dictate. Educate the public about these systems and the role environmental health plays in public health. Issues Improvement Permits, CA's on property that has been determined to be suitable or provisionally suitable for new systems and repairs.
• Evaluate and inspect sewage treatment system installations to determine their ability to meet standards and provide environmentally safe wastewater treatment. Issues Operation Permits when applicable.
• Evaluate and educate owners concerning failing existing subsurface sewage treatment systems. Provide acceptable designs for corrective action; also determine acceptability of alternative installation.
• Respond to Requests for Service including consultative visits concerning wells, water supply, sewage treatment, solid waste disposal, insects and vectors, swimming pools, tattoo parlors, child care facilities, and other varied complaints. Educate the public, provide recommendations and/or issue official notices, if necessary. Follow‑up visits are made to ensure compliance with appropriate regulations.
• Collect GPS (Global Positioning System) data during field visits to new or existing septic systems and wells during performance of other listed duties. Correct and check‑in the GPS data into departmental geodatabases.
• Assist individuals in siting and permitting locations for proposed private drinking water well installations. Issue permits for the installation, construction, location, repair and replacement of Private Drinking Water Wells in Craven County. Provide inspections of private wells to assure compliance with design criteria and current regulations.
• Consult with and assist individual well owners suspecting contamination of their water supply. Collect water samples and explain results of analyses. Educate and provide appropriate guidance when necessary.
• Responsible for assisting the environmental health supervisors in preparation for and consultation with land developers, soil scientists, engineers and contractors relating to land evaluations, modifications, surface and subsurface drainage requirements and possible restrictions for further development.
• Responsible for preparing reports, compiling soil reports, correspondence relating to federal and conventional home loans and correlating information as required by Federal, State, and Local Regulations. Also, responsible for other documentation as required by management staff.
• Assist in the development of and presenting of educational programs.
• Conduct surveys of mobile home parks, subdivisions, high‑density areas, etc. to assure environmental quality and compliance with environmental rules and regulations.
• Travel as needed to perform job responsibilities.
• Responsible for completion of other duties as may be assigned by members of the management team.
• Conduct state mandated periodic inspections of existing large, innovative, alternative, complex and/or effluent pump septi systems to ensure proper performance and prolonged life of the systems. Provide education and promote public health through interaction with system owners and certified system operators. Identify failures and consult with owner and operators about…