Environmental Health Specialist I, II

The Environmental Health Specialist performs specialized work to protect public health through the implementation and enforcement of federal, state, and local environmental health laws, rules, and regulations. This position conducts inspections, evaluates environmental health conditions, reviews plans and applications, issues permits, investigates complaints, and provides education and consultation to the public and regulated establishments.

Environmental Health Specialists inspect food service and lodging establishments, institutional facilities, daycares, health care centers, tattoo parlors, public swimming pools, and other regulated facilities to ensure compliance with applicable sanitation and safety standards. Responsibilities also include investigating foodborne illness reports, evaluating public health hazards, documenting inspection findings, determining appropriate corrective actions, and pursuing enforcement when necessary.

Brunswick County Environmental Health Services utilizes a career ladder for advancement, allowing employees to develop their professional expertise, obtain required state certifications and program authorizations, and advance within the Environmental Health Specialist classification.

• Environmental Health Specialist I: $27.77/hr - $47.21/hr

• Environmental Health Specialist II: $29.16/hr - $49.57/hr

• Bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC); or
• Bachelor's degree in public health and one (1) year of experience in environmental health practice; or
• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences and one (1) year of experience in environmental health practice; or 
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

Special Requirements:

• Must obtain North Carolina Registered Environmental Health Specialist Intern status within sixty (60) days of hire.
• Must obtain North Carolina Registered Environmental Health Specialist status within two (2) years of employment.
• Must obtain state-delegated authorizations for applicable environmental health programs within one (1) year of employment.
• Certified Pool Operator and Certified Food Protection Manager certifications preferred.

Environmental Health Specialist II:

• Bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) and one (1) year of direct experience in environmental health; or
• Bachelor's degree in public health and two (2) years of experience in environmental health practice; or
• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences and two (2) years of experience in environmental health practice; or 
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

Special Requirements:

• North Carolina Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification required.
• Must possess a minimum of four (4) environmental health program authorizations.
• Certified Pool Operator certification preferred.

Environmental Health Specialists obtain state-delegated authorizations to perform inspections and regulatory duties within designated environmental health programs. Primary assignments are determined by program needs and supervisory direction.

Applicable authorizations may include:

• Food, Lodging, and Institutions: Inspects and regulates food service establishments, lodging facilities, institutions, residential care facilities, camps, schools, and other establishments covered by applicable state rules.
• On-Site Wastewater: Evaluates sites, reviews applications, issues permits or denials, inspects wastewater system installations, and investigates malfunctioning systems.
• Private Drinking Water Wells: Reviews applications, evaluates proposed well locations, issues permits, conducts required inspections, and collects water samples when requested.
• Public Swimming Pools: Reviews applications and safety documentation, inspects pool facilities, evaluates water quality and life-safety features, and issues permits when requirements are met.
• Childcare and School Sanitation: Reviews applications and plans, conducts facility inspections, investigates complaints, and verifies compliance with applicable sanitation requirements.
• Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention: Investigates potential lead exposure hazards, collects samples when appropriate, reviews remediation efforts, and conducts follow-up inspections.
• Migrant Housing: Evaluates drinking water and wastewater facilities at migrant housing sites and documents compliance with applicable requirements.
• Tattoo Sanitation: Reviews establishment plans, inspects tattoo facilities, and verifies practices intended to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens.

Brunswick County Environmental Health Services requires Environmental Health Specialists to obtain authorizations consistent with their assigned responsibilities. Employees must meet the applicable authorization requirements for their classification and program assignments.

Must be physically able to operate a variety of office equipment.  Must be able to exert up to 60 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.