Environmental Health Plan Review Specialist

Gaston County Environmental Health is a division of the Gaston County Health Department and is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our community through the regulation of rules and the teaching of environmental public health.The anticipated hiring range for this position $33.80 - $40.14

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

• Inspections of Food Handling Establishments, Institutional Homes, Institutional Food Service,  Swimming Pools, Wading Pools and Spas, Temporary Food Establishments, Tattoo Schools, Child Cares, Lodging, and other Institutions. Performs these inspections as mandated by and for the purpose for determining compliance with State Laws, Rules and Regulations to identify and record violations, post sanitation grade placards, and issue, suspend, or revoke permits when warranted.
  
  
• Conduct compliance visits, cite deficiencies and violations, request compliance and recommend corrective measures, investigate complaints and specify corrective measures to be taken, and investigate all food borne illness outbreaks. Investigate and provide follow-up resolution on health related complaints. 
  
  
•  Conducts all lead investigations and coordinates various visits that are required to investigation sites. Works with State Regional Lead Specialist to collect samples and various evidences for sources of lead.
  
  
•  Conduct plan review and issues operations permits for all new and remodeled public swimming pools, wading pools, and spas. Conduct inspections as required during construction phase.
  
  
• Issues tattoo permits to new artists. Conducts annual inspections and issues permits.
  
  
• Participates in the presentation of Food Courses to civic groups, schools, and special interest groups. Explain Environmental Health Laws, Rules and Regulations in language understandable by others. Serve and act as consultants on governmental and volunteer committees, and serve as expert witness in legal proceedings.
  
  
• As needed, assists in preparedness and emergency response activities in situations that threaten the public's health (i.e. disease outbreaks such as H1N1 and COVID 19, bio-terrorism events, natural disasters, etc.).
  
  
• Carryout Performance Management (PM) roles and responsibilities, including identifying and communicating performance improvement opportunities and adjusting performance and practice to achieve established PM goals.
  
  
• Implement strategies aimed at achieving Health Equity, including but not limited to: attending trainings to better understand inequities, identifying and addressing barriers to health, serving on the Health Equity Team or its subcommittees, engaging in internal or external efforts to eliminate health disparities.

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Have at least 30 semester hours of physical, biological, natural, life, or health science.
• Authorized in swimming pools, tattoo, childhood lead poisoning prevention.  Has taken the pool plan review course offered by the swimming pool regional staff.   
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist with NC State Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners.
• A valid driver's license. 

Candidates must have thorough knowledge of all applicable NC Laws, Rules, and Regulations relating to required areas of authorization, ability to interpret and explain these laws, rules, and regulations to clients and public. Thorough knowledge of Local Ordinances and County Policies. Skilled in human relations. Must possess knowledge of various physical, biological, and chemical sciences. Knowledge of food science.   Must be able to identify various shades of red and green color on a chemical test kit. Frequently exposed to noise, dust, fumes, odors, machinery, chemical and biological substances, animals, inclement weather, and other hazards. Preferred experience be authorized in food, lodging and institution rules, as well child cares and schools.     
The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment

In compliance with G.S.153A-94.2 (b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.