Environmental Health Specialist – On-site Wastewater/Well Program

August 23, 2024

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Environmental Health Specialist – On-site Wastewater/Well Program

Description

The Henderson County Department of Public Health is accepting applications for one full time Environmental Health Specialist position. The primary purpose of this role is to enforce Local, N.C. State and Federal Environmental Health laws by protecting the public health through education, surveillance, consultation, and inspection to promote a safe and healthful environment and developing corrective measures required to minimize environmental health hazards. Work is primarily performed in the field with a significant amount of public contact. The Environmental Health Specialist position is supervised by the Environmental Health Supervisor II.

The primary responsibilities of the on-site wastewater and well program is to oversee and regulate design and installation of on-site sewage systems involving site evaluation and issuance of improvement permits, inspection of newly installed septic systems and issuance of completion permits, investigation and resolution of complaints, and inspection of pre-existing septic systems. Other program responsibilities may include food & lodging, public swimming pools, migrant housing inspections, lead abatement and indoor air quality.

Schedule

 Typically 37.5 hours/week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The work schedule may change or increase to provide required inspections for businesses open beyond the normal work schedule, during times of exceptionally high-volume permit requests, and/or during public health emergencies. This may include weekends and/or holidays.

 Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of environmental health procedures, policies, statutes, and rules, as well as job-specific program areas.
• Considerable knowledge of public health law, microbiology, biology, chemistry, epidemiology, soil science, and basic engineering technology as applied to environmental health practices.
• Working knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies involved in environmental health work.
• Working knowledge of the interrelationship between socio-economic factors and environmental health concerns.
• Working knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques as applied in environmental health.
• Ability to analyze and comprehend a wide variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports.
•  Ability to exercise sound judgement and deal tactfully with a wide range of public contacts while enforcing public health laws and regulations.
•  Ability to educate business and property owners and the public in matters related to protecting and promoting public health.
• Ability to present formal environmental health training programs.
• Ability to develop and express ideas and opinions concisely, comprehensively, and clearly in oral and written form.
• Ability to independently plan and schedule work activities.
• Ability to apply environmental health standards, guidelines, statutes, rules, knowledge, and techniques in the investigation of environmental health problems.

Required Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree from a program that is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC); or,

Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree in public health and one year of experience in the field of environmental health practice; or,

Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences and one year of experience in the field of environmental health practice.

License or Certification Required

Must be eligible to meet the requirements for registration or license as an Environmental Health Specialist as outlined in Article 4, Chapter 90A of the NC General Statutes.

Administering the Trainee Appointment

Appointee must be eligible for registration and apply for registration as an Environmental Health Specialist Intern within 60 days of employment. Employee may remain registered as an Environmental Health Specialist Intern until registration as an Environmental Health Specialist or up to two years, whichever comes first.

To Apply

• Submit a fully completed Henderson County application and college transcripts to Henderson County Health Dept. HR  via email at healthhr@hendersoncountync.gov , via fax at 828-697-4709, or via mail to: Henderson County Department of Public Health, 1200 Spartanburg Hwy, Suite 100, Hendersonville, NC 28792-5840
• Applications are available at the Henderson County Department of Public Health, including our website: https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/health/page/employment
• Pre-employment drug screen, driver history, and criminal background check is required of finalist applicant.
• While cover letters and resumes are welcome, a resume alone will not be processed further, and an application that says, “see resume” will be considered incomplete and invalid.
• Applications and transcripts will be accepted through Friday, September 6, 2024, 4:30 p.m.

Registered EHS Salary Grade: 75A           Anticipated Hiring Range: $31.33-$35.63 hourly                   Benefit Eligible

(Registered EHS hiring salary will be determined based on qualifications and internal equity.)