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 seminars and conferences as required.

Prepares and presents educational programs and projects for schools, community organizations, and industry as requested.

Responds to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

Performs related duties as assigned by the Administrator or Health Officer.

I.  JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Public or Environmental Health/Science, or related field and three (3) years of experience in biology, chemistry, or public health with at least two (2) years of management experience preferred.

Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain required certifications and training, including FEMA ICS 100, 200, and 700, Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association (IOWPA) Installers certification, Servsafe Food Manager certification, and proprietary onsite sewage systems training. Ability to obtain Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) certification within one (1) year of hire.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of federal, state, and local rules and regulations governing public health with ability to conduct investigations, perform testing and sampling procedures, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Working knowledge of basic chemistry, biology and bacteriology, and ability to inspect sites of potential code violations, conduct effective investigations of complaints and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Working knowledge of and proficient in standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare written reports and documents, plan and present meetings, agendas, public speaking presentations and news releases as appropriate.

Knowledge of taxonomy to identify vector and pest species found in Steuben County.

Ability to collect, record, and analyze data and test samples, prepare and maintain accurate Department documents and reports, and make related arithmetic calculations.

Ability to read, research, and interpret various technical documents, such as blueprints, project plans and specifications, soil profiles, and topographic maps.

Ability to use appropriate universal health and safety precautions to avoid contamination in high-risk environments, including proper use of protective clothing and equipment.

Ability to provide public access to, or maintain confidentiality of, Department information and records according to state requirements.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other county departments, regulating agencies, property owners, property owners, local schools, community organizations, industry, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Shall comply with County and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to effectively and proficiently supervise and direct 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.

Ability to interview to obtain information, review citizen complaints, and conduct follow-up investigations.

Ability to compile statistics, analyze and evaluate data, make determinations, and present findings in oral and written form.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, often under time pressure, and on several tasks at the same time.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, calculator, printer, copier, scanner, and telephone.

Ability to respond on a 24-hour basis and respond swiftly, rationally and decisively to emergency situations.

Ability to testify in legal proceedings/court.

Ability to occasionally work extended, evening, and weekend hours, and occasionally travel out of town for meetings, professional workshops, training seminars and conferences, sometimes overnight.

Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent’s duties are broad in scope and of substantial intricacy, involving many variables or considerations with interrelationships difficult to ascertain. Incumbent performs according to standard Department policies and procedures and standard practices of the profession, exercising judgment in applying guidelines and technical and scientific knowledge to specific cases and circumstances.

III.  RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent manages various Environmental Health programs and monitors various projects for compliance with federal, state and local rules and regulations regarding public health. Incumbent works with minimum supervision, referring to the Administrator for unusual or unprecedented situations, such as staff discipline and issues with potentially critical impact. Work is primarily reviewed for compliance with Department policy and effect on Department goals and objectives.

IV.  PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other county departments, regulating agencies, property owners, property owners, local schools, community organizations, industry, and the public, for the purposes of exchanging and explaining information, coordinating daily operations, conducting investigations and resolving problems. Incumbent frequently persuades code violators to improve conditions and operating procedures to obtain or maintain code compliance.

Incumbent reports directly to Administrator, and Health Officer as needed.

V.  PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a variety of settings, including a standard office environment and in the field, involving sitting/walking at will, crouching/kneeling, bending, reaching, lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds, close/far vision, color/depth perception, keyboarding, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent may be exposed to physical and health hazards normally associated with field work including, but not limited to, construction sites and food establishments, with possible exposure to sewage, chemicals, animal/insect bites, inclement weather, dust, dirt and heavy machinery. Safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others. Incumbent may encounter irate/hostile individuals.

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended, evening, and weekend hours, travel out of town for meetings, professional workshops, training seminars and conferences, sometimes overnight, and respond to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.