Environmental Health Specialist

The primary purpose of the position is to serve as a field inspection officer for the food and lodging section. Serve as the program resource for the practical implementation of state and local regulations, laws and ordinances with are designed to protect the hygienic quality of human environment for the reasons of public health. Work is commonly characterized by performing inspections of regulated facilities and, any associated complaints and other duties assigned by the Env, Health Supervisor III.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Food and Lodging

• Serve as a staff resource for the food and lodging program. 
• Inspect and grade food and lodging facilities for overall sanitation. This includes but not limited to restaurants, meat markets, schools. Hospitals, summer camps, hotels/motels, nursing and rest homes, local confinement and daycares. 
• Enforce State and Federal rules on each facility as required. 
• Provide consultation and review for proposed construction, renovations and/or operation of food and lodging facilities prior and during construction to assure compliance. 
• Provide food sanitation education for food service personnel. 
• Investigate reports of foodborne illnesses. 
• Handle complaints received from the public about any food and lodging facility. 
• Record daily activities for monthly reporting. 
• Participate in pre- and post-disaster assessments of permitted facilities. 
• Become an active member of the EPI team.

Public Pool Program

• Serve as staff resource for the public pool program.   
• Inspect and permit public swimming pools, spas, saunas and wading pools as required. 
• Read and approve proposed pool plans. 
• Investigate complaints pertaining to public swimming pools. 

Daycare and School Building Program

• Serve as a staff resource for the daycare program. 
• Inspect all permitted facilities including daycares and all school buildings. 
• Read and approve proposed plans of daycares and school buildings. 
• Assist with education public and daycare staff and Smart Start program.

Other

• Participate in Public Health Preparedness functions as assigned, attend training, seminars and other courses pertinent to professional growth. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Working knowledge of state and federal environmental health laws and rules. Practical knowledge of microbiology, chemistry, biology and environmental sciences as applied to environmental health. General knowledge of community resources. Working knowledge of other departments in Pender County, including but not limited to Zoning and Building Inspections. Ability to comprehend and manage technical and administrative records and reports. Ability to exercise sound judgement and communicate with a wide variety of people. Ability to plan work accordingly and timely. 

Required Minimum Training:
North Carolina Centralized Intern Training for income Registered Environmental Health Specialists and obtaining authorization in Food Protection/Facilities, Daycares/Schools, Tattoos and Wells.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License. 
• Registered as a REHS by the North Carolina State Board of Environmental Health Specialists Examiners. 

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10-15 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, frequently requires sitting and occasionally requires standing; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to vibration and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).