Environmental Health Specialist I - CHS (Cottonwood)

Under direct supervision, performs inspections of assigned areas and settings to ensure applicable health, safety, and environmental regulations are being met.

Preferences:

The applicant has successfully completed at least 30 semester hours of credit with a grade of "c" or better at an accredited college or university in the natural sciences or the equivalent credits from a college or university from outside the United States or its territories as verified by a Department approved third party evaluation service. "Natural science" means a branch of science that deals with the physical world, including life, physical, and health sciences. The Sanitarians Council makes all final determinations as to whether individual courses meet the definition. Quarter hours may be converted to semester hours by multiplying the 0.67.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES:

• Answers questions in and out of the office from the public regarding delegated programs.

• Conducts inspections of assigned areas and settings.

• Monitors the presence of, and identifies, hazardous pollutants that may pose a threat to public health and environments.

• Inspects public places and observes changes in the environment.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Community Health Services

• Conducts field inspections of basic and moderate difficulty on licensed food, pool, school, and lodging establishments. Applies federal, state, and local codes and regulations. Provides recommendations for corrective actions for inspections performed.

• Investigates environmental health complaints. Prepares and presents written reports. Responds to disasters with a public health consequence.

• Performs disease surveillance, which includes mosquito trapping for testing of West Nile Virus and other pathogens. Conducts insect larvae surveys and applies pesticides when appropriate.

• Instructs Food Worker classes.

• Completes special event coordination and inspection.

• Educates the public on environmental health issues.  

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience: 

No experience required

Additional Requirements:

Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license.

Community Health Services

Must possess State of Arizona Pesticide Applicator License in the General Pest Control/Public Health category within 6 months of hire.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Relevant federal, state, and county codes, laws, and regulations.

• Principles, practices, and techniques of environmental health inspections, public education, compliance, and enforcement.

• Basic biological and physical sciences applicable to environmental health.

• Business English, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and composition.

• Clerical office practices and procedures.

• Research techniques and report writing.

• Current Microsoft Office software.

• Filing and recordkeeping.

Skill in:

• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing and communicating orally in a face-to-face setting and by telephone with public and employees.

• Customer service.

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public.

• Organization and adherence to detail.

Ability to:

• Create and manage the inspection schedule.

• Perform work in an accurate, neat, and thorough manner and follows all applicable policies.

• Complete reports, correspondence, etc., with special attention to detail and accuracy.

• Meet deadlines for assignments, correspondence, reports, timesheets, etc., in the timeframe established.

• Maintain flexibility to work odd hours, including early morning, late evening, and weekends.

• Spend significant amounts of time driving

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other departments, representatives of other organizations, County officials, and the public.

• Keep management informed of key operating issues affecting the department.

• Respond to community emergencies that have a public health consequence according to requirements of the department Emergency Response Plan.

• Remain current in knowledge required to perform assigned duties.

• Handle confidential matters and maintain discretion always.

• Act with courtesy, tact, and diplomacy.

Work Environment:

The work environment is associated with an office and field environment year-round in all weather conditions and includes exposure to loud noise, blood borne pathogens, dust, fumes, mist, and chemicals. This is a highly public position where contact with public may be in challenging situations.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Sufficient vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech ability to communicate effective in-person and telephonically. Capable of frequent repetitive movement of arms, fingers, and wrists. Ability to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, walk over rough, uneven and/or rocky surfaces and lift up to 30 pounds.

Additional Job Information:

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Grade: 3

Classification: Classified

Safety Sensitive: Yes