Environmental Health Specialist

Under close supervision from the Health & Human Services (HHS) Department Environmental Health Manager, assists with health programs designed to identify, prevent and eliminate environmental and safety health hazards within the Community.  Assists with the development, planning, evaluation and training for resolution and elimination of environmental health and safety problems.  Helps coordinate a variety of activities designed to enhance the Community’s overall environmental awareness, safety, protection and hazard prevention. This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt. 

Distinguishing Features:  The Environmental Health Specialist is distinguished from the Environmental Health Manager job class by helping carry out goals of the program rather than developing and initiating the programs.  Assists the Manager in all aspects of the program and performs non-program management type tasks associated with the Community’s environmental health and safety hazards.  May assume a lead role on related projects but primarily assists the Manager with most tasks associated with ensuring the health and safety for Community Members.

Essential Functions:   Essential functions may vary among positions and may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics.  This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

1. Disease and Injury Prevention:   Helps conduct inspections and makes decisions in the field to determine if ordinances, codes, rules and regulations are being complied with by all public and private facilities in the Community.

• Assists with securing compliance with public health and safety standards through promotions, education, outreach and application of standards and enforcement methods.
• Assists the Sanitarian with citing violators of Tribal and Federal health regulations.  Helps the Sanitarian prepare reports and testimony for court when necessary.
• Helps investigate and resolve complaints of citizens regarding potential or possible public health problems.
• Helps develop and implement the Child Safety Seat Program along with seat distribution and training for families.
• Helps set and monitor vector traps to prevent vector-borne disease.
• Monitors the Community’s swimming pools for compliance with local health and safety regulations.
• Helps review construction plans and specifications concerning environmental health aspects of proposed establishments.
  • Helps perform epidemiological and general environmental health investigations and surveys.
  • Investigates areas associated with insect or rodent infestation.  Helps the Sanitarian and other stakeholders in prevention plans, programs and techniques.
  • Assists with monitoring the Community’s drinking water quality program.

2. Health and Safety Awareness & Education:   Educates and advises the Community on public health and safety issues and problems.

• Teaches courses in food sanitation according to the Community Food Code.
  • Helps promote public cooperation by giving demonstrations and lectures before civic and professional groups and in Community schools.
  • Explains the principles of public health and the Public Health Program of the HHS Department.
  • Educates on existing and emerging public health issues.
  • Provides outreach services to Community Members regarding public health hazard issues including recognition and prevention.

3. Animal Care & Control:  Helps plan, develop and enhance the animal care and control services for the Community.

• Helps develop Community outreach materials and plans to educate the Community regarding the animal care and control services.
• Maintains all records and statistics regarding animal care and control services.
• Works consistently to make recommendations and improvements to the Community animal care and control services.
• Provides support for Community Rabies Clinics.
• Provides development and implementation support for spay and neuter services.
• Assists in investigation of dog bites and quarantine in the Community.
• Assists with investigation and documentation of animal cruelty and neglect cases. 
• Assists with animal immunization services, maintaining records, assisting with clinics, providing booster shots, etc.

4. Program Administration:   Prepares and presents necessary and relevant reports.

• Assists with development and updating of Community’s public health and safety codes.
• Documents work efforts in reports and case notes as required.  Enters pertinent program and project data into the Management Accountability Information SystEm (MAISE).
• Maintains records and inventories as required (child safety seats, vaccine, etc.).

5. Professional Development:  Remains professionally current and works to improve professional skills and expertise.

• Maintains current Food Handlers Permit.
• With Supervisor approval, works to increase professional development including the latest techniques, processes and “best practices” of Public Health by attending appropriate in-services and trainings.

6. Miscellaneous:  Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the Sanitarian or Health Division Director to maintain and enhance departmental operation.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of the culture, customs, traditions, history and government of the Salt River Pima- Maricopa Indian Community.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health, sanitation, epidemiology, control of communicable diseases and vector control.
• Knowledge of local and Tribal health planning and service agencies and organizations.
• Knowledge of resources within and outside the Community related to community health.
• Knowledge of community public health codes, regulations and operating procedures.
• Skill establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with   members and residents., Administration, , Community Departments, Community Enterprises, SRPMIC staff and co-workers, regulatory and resource agencies, and other outside entities.
• Skill evaluating community needs and utilizing program and community resources to meet such needs.
• Skill planning, developing, implementing and evaluating program effectiveness.
• Skill in effective communication and customer service.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to organize multiple projects/priorities.
• Ability to help plan, organize and improve a health program.
• Ability to make program improvement suggestions.
• Ability to identify non-compliance issues.
• Ability to promote program objectives, develop measurable outcomes and provide services in accordance with program objectives.
• Ability to work with clients of all ages and abilities.
• Ability to teach public health content matter.
• Ability to utilize the personal computer and related software including MS Office to fulfill job requirements.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, such as facsimile, photocopier and calculator.
• Ability to attend off-site meetings.
• Ability to drive various SRPMIC vehicles.
• Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs.

Education & Experience:  

• High school diploma or GED REQUIRED
• Registered Sanitarian in Arizona (RS) or a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) certification REQUIRED.  
• 5 Years of experience working in a public health setting required.
• Current Food Handler’s Card must be obtained within 6 months of employment required and renew every 3 years
• An Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in the chemical, physical or biological sciences, public health, sanitary science or environmental health is preferred
• Experience working in an Indian Community preferred

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

• May be required to work beyond normal work hours including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of this position, successful completion of an extensive background investigation is required.
• May be required to travel.
• May be required to provide own transportation.
• Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the “Community Code of Ordinances”, Chapter 11, “Minors”, Article X. “Investigation of Persons Working With Children”.
• Ensures all patient information is kept confidential and complies with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and SRPMIC HHS policies and procedures.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check. 

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods: 
1) attach to application
2) fax (480) 362-5860
3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.
Documentation must be received by position closing date. 

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted. 
Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.