Assistant Director Of Environmental Health

Position: Assistant Director of Environmental Health

St. Joseph County Department of Health

Opening Date: April 18, 2024

Closing Date: Until Filled

Salary: Up to $60,900/year

Location: 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601 - 9th Floor

Status: Full Time

Job Category: PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Incumbent serves as Assistant Director of Environmental Health for the St. Joseph County Department of Health, responsible for conducting on-site inspections, providing information and education to the public, and enforcing federal, state, and local public health and environmental protection laws, rules, and regulations.

DUTIES:

Provides oversight and leadership to the Environmental Health Unit of the St. Joseph County Department of Health (SJC DoH), establishing policies, procedures, priorities, and requirements for Unit programs, including but not limited to Septic Design Review/Permitting/Inspection, Subdivision Planning/Review, Wellhead Protection Permitting/Inspection, Well Drilling Permitting/Inspection, Source and Surface Water Quality Programs, Lead Poisoning Prevention, Air Quality, Vector Program, Healthy Homes, Solid Waste Permitting/Inspection, Massage Establishment and Practitioner Permitting/Inspection, Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment and Practitioner Permitting/Inspection, and GIS Mapping.

In collaboration with the Director of Environmental Health, develops strategies, goals, and priorities for all programs and issues within the Environmental Health Unit and monitors changes in laws, legal requirements, and services in other local, state, and federal departments and agencies affecting Environmental Health operations.

In the absence of and/or in conjunction with the Environmental Health Director, supervises and directs personnel, including administering personnel policies/procedures, informing staff of organizational developments, interviewing/hiring job candidates, ensuring proper training of staff, planning/delegating work assignments, establishing goals/standards, reviewing position responsibilities/salaries, evaluating performance, and recommending promotions/demotions as appropriate. Recommends discipline and/or termination of employment as warranted.

Works with local, state, and federal government officials and community groups on issues that affect economic development and public health.

Provides technical guidance to staff and makes decisions on complex technical and regulatory issues, in conjunction with the Director of Environmental Health and Health Officer, for all programs relating to the protection of public health and compliance with laws and regulations.

In conjunction with the Director of Environmental Health, prepares and manages budgets for the Environmental Health Unit and associated grants, formulating recommendations, developing methods to increase efficiency and revenue, allocating resources, and prioritizing services.

Documents transactions and verifies financial records as required.

Conducts regular meetings with staff to review Unit operations and share professional information as appropriate.

Maintains detailed records of inspections, complaints, and investigations and prepares a variety of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as required by Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), St. Joseph County Board of Health, and other government and regulating agencies.

Attends professional education workshops/training seminars as necessary. Develops and conducts training programs for Environmental Health Unit personnel.

Investigates complaints of lead poisoning, including conducting home visits and environmental risk assessments, testing surfaces for lead-based paint, collecting water, soil, and dust wipe samples, discussing results with occupants, and providing recommendations on how to reduce or eliminate potential for lead exposure.

Enters investigation results in computer and completes case documentation in compliance with Department policy. Prepares required reports and forwards to property owners and occupants. Maintains database, monitoring files for accuracy and updating data and files as needed.

Conducts preventative lead surveys of facilities and provides education on reducing or eliminating potential for lead exposure.

Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment, ordering supplies and ensuring proper maintenance and working order of equipment.

Works in conjunction with SJC DoH Nursing Unit staff and parents to discuss case management of children with elevated blood lead levels, providing education on lead poisoning and proper nutrition, and recommending ways to reduce or eliminate cases of lead exposure.

Responds to requests, questions, and problems concerning septic systems, wells, and related environmental concerns, providing information and assistance, explaining procedures, conducting inspections, and issuing or denying permits as applicable.

Inspects sites prior to construction of septic and sewage disposal systems, including conducting soil tests and reviewing landscape features, identifying problems, recommending appropriate designs, and/or taking corrective action as needed to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and legal requirements.

Inspects private wells and septic systems and completes reports and related paperwork as required.

Performs environmental inspections of public and private property, ensuring compliance with public laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations. Provides consultation regarding environmental health and

safety issues, indoor/outdoor air quality, mold, lead, radon, swimming pools, and solid and hazardous waste inspections.

Performs environmental and health inspections of permitted facilities such as tattoo parlors, massage establishments, and body piercing facilities, and enforcing public laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations, and providing related consultation.

Conducts, photographs, and documents inspections, determining violations, sending warning letters to responsible parties, and referring violations to law enforcement agencies as appropriate.

Inspects and issues permits for solid waste vehicles, transfer sites, transfer stations, and disposal facilities.

Conducts follow-up inspections as required to ensure compliance with applicable codes. Provides corrective instruction for violations, conducts additional inspections, and refers violators to law enforcement agencies as appropriate.

Investigates various spills and/or discharges into the ground and/or bodies of water. Works closely with Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) on spill complaints and outdoor air quality complaints.

Responds to health/sanitation inquiries from the public and provides related technical advice, including, but not limited to, providing information, referrals, and/or assistance as appropriate.

Maintains accurate and detailed files of all complaints, inspections, and related documents. Completes daily work and mileage reports and monthly/annual reports as required by supervisor and regulating agencies.

Works with personnel from Environment Protection Agency (EPA), IDEM, ISDH, Army Corps of Engineers, and Indiana Department of Labor to coordinate services, interpret and enforce health requirements, draft ordinances, and regulations, and provide and request work-related information.

Occasionally testifies in legal proceedings, including depositions and court hearings.

Provides local print, radio, and television news media with information concerning specific public health and/or environmental protection events in conjunction with Director of Communications.

Serves as a public health emergency responder, responding to and assisting in resolving public health emergencies, including serving on a 24-hour call for emergencies.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's Degree in environmental science, public health, or related field required. Two years' experience with environmental issues required.

Possession of or ability to retain possession of certifications and/or licensures, such as Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Pesticide Applicator License, Lead Risk Assessor/Inspector License, and National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification.

Thorough knowledge of standard policies and practices of SJC DoH, with ability to develop and lead various programs.

Thorough knowledge of standard principles and practices of public health and environmental protection, with ability to effectively evaluate facility operations to ensure compliance with applicable environmental health standards and regulations.

Practical knowledge of standard budgeting and accounting practices and procedures, with ability to prepare and administer budgets, prepare detailed financial statements, and maintain complete and accurate financial records.

Practical knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing environmental protection, with ability to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Working knowledge of basic computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, email, and Department-specific software and applications, with ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.

Working knowledge of basic filing systems and ability to create and maintain Department files and records.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and ability to prepare documents, correspondence, and reports.

Ability to effectively supervise and direct assigned personnel, including analyzing human resource needs, reviewing documentation for newly created and significantly revised positions, interviewing candidates and making hiring decisions, providing training, planning and delegating work assignments, developing and motivating staff, reviewing salaries, implementing personnel or corrective actions, keeping supervisors and subordinates informed of organization developments, and communicating and administering personnel programs and procedures.

Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, IDOH, IDEM, other government agencies, Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements.

Shall comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, telephone, and calculator.

Ability to count, compute, and perform arithmetic operations.

Ability to compile, analyze, and evaluate data, make data-driven decisions.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out oral and written instructions, and to present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, and to work on several tasks at the same time, occasionally under time pressure.

Ability to plan and give public speaking presentations.

Ability to apply knowledge of people and locations, plan/layout work assignments, and read/interpret detailed blueprints and plans.

Ability to file, post, and mail materials.

Ability to testify in legal proceedings, including depositions and court hearings, when necessary.

Ability to occasionally respond to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

Ability to regularly work extended hours and occasionally work evenings, serve on call on rotation basis, and travel out of town for training/conferences, sometimes overnight.

Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent performs a wide range of duties which involve consideration of many variables. Incumbent exercises judgment when conducting public health and environmental inspections, evaluating facility compliance, and determining appropriate action for non-compliance. Incumbent performs duties in accordance with generally applicable guidelines, professional standards, and legal requirements, exercising judgment to effectively supervise personnel, assess and improve operations, and ensure compliance with regulations.

III. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent makes a significant contribution to outcomes of the Department, assuring proper implementation of environmental health laws/codes and supervision of assigned operations. Incumbent is responsible for addressing unusual problems and/or circumstances and may discuss these with a supervisor.

Incumbent's decisions have a substantial impact on departmental operations, and work product is periodically reviewed upon conclusion for soundness of judgment and conformity with departmental standards. Work is primarily reviewed for technical accuracy, soundness of judgment, effect on Department goals/objectives, and continuing quality of DoH services for St. Joseph County.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent communication with co-workers, other County departments, Indiana Department of Health, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, other government agencies, various professional/trade organizations, and the public for the purposes of exchanging information and rendering service.

Incumbent reports directly to Director of Environmental Health.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment, laboratory, and in the field/outdoors, involving sitting/walking at will; sitting/standing/walking for long periods; driving; walking on uneven terrain; working in wet/icy surroundings and extreme temperatures; working with or near odors, dust, dirt and chemicals; lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling objects occasionally weighing over 50 pounds; bending/reaching; crouching/kneeling; handling/grasping/fingering objects; close/far vision; color and depth perception; speaking clearly; and hearing sounds/communication. Safety precautions, including wearing protective clothing/equipment, must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others.

Incumbent occasionally works extended, evening, and/or weekend hours, and travels out of town for meetings and workshops, sometimes overnight. Incumbent occasionally responds to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

If a certification or license is required, please be sure to attach the documents.