Environmental Health Specialist I-Temporary

Compensation Range

$33.34 - $42.24

Job Description Summary

The ideal candidate will have experience conducting inspections in retail food facilities, educating retail food operators in food safety practices, and collaborating with facilities to gain compliance to the Colorado Retail Food Rules and Regulations. Additionally, the ideal candidate has experience interpreting and applying the Colorado Food Rules and Regulations to a variety of different circumstances and understands how the regulations relate to foodborne illness. A proficiency in writing inspection reports is preferred. This job requires an ability to de-escalate conflict so the candidate shall have experience dealing with conflict. The ideal candidate will be able to work well with a variety of different people from varying cultural backgrounds, utilizing tools available to aid in communication. The ideal candidate will work closely with others on the consumer protection team to foster a strong team environment and will be comfortable working collaboratively to continually strengthen relationships that are essential for success.

This is a temporary position and will end on December 31, 2024.

Job Description

Inspections and related activity (80%):

• Conduct inspections and investigate the sanitary conditions for compliance for facilities and operations, such as: retail food, child and health care facilities, body art facilities, schools, solid waste landfills, injection wells, waste tire facilities, on-site wastewater treatment systems, air pollution emission sources, zoonosis, etc. The following activities may be conducted within the inspection program:

• Enforce State and Weld County laws and regulations and initiate appropriate legal action under the direction of the supervisor.

• Investigate complaints and determine validity. Conduct investigation in conjunction with local, State, and Federal agencies. May assist in the investigation of communicable disease outbreaks.

• Utilize technical equipment in the course of routine inspections.

• Write summary reports and appropriate correspondence.

• Explain findings of investigations to owners and managers of establishments.

• May review associated submittal of plans.

• Complete assigned work and duties in a timely and professional manner. Employ appropriate guidelines or regulations. Majority of workload fits within normal bounds. Supervisor/senior staff are more regularly involved in decision making.

• Obtain continuing education related to program responsibilities. Keep up-to-date technically and apply new knowledge to the job. Complete position-specific training for public health emergency response activities. Acquire and retain knowledge of policies, procedures, and various local, State, and Federal regulations related to Health Department programs.

• Understand and work to ensure that County, Department and Division mission statements, visions, and goals are met.

• Use exceptional customer service skills to respond to community needs, enhance public relations, coordinate activities, and represent the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment to promote and maintain a positive public health image, and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.

Administrative (20%):

• Enter data into several different computer programs; learn and apply new computer skills on a regular basis; have a strong working knowledge of computer programs used daily such as electronic health records, program specific software applications, Microsoft Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, Adobe, database user interface and query software (client databases), and web browser software.

• Thorough knowledge of spelling, punctuation and grammar, and modern office practices, procedures, equipment, technical terminology, and filing techniques.

• Respond to customer questions and complaints; refers highly technical questions and callers requiring further information to appropriate staff members.

• Ability to work well in a team environment; work with a diverse group of people; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, professionals, other departments, agencies, and the public.

• Ability to clearly communicate information and ideas verbally and in writing, and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

• Ability to effectively present information and competently respond to questions in one-on-one and small-group situations to a variety of audiences, such as groups of managers, colleagues, clients, customers, and the public.

• Maintain sensitive and confidential records information. Follow the Weld County Code of Conduct and adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines, including HIPAA, and the appropriate non-disclosure and/or release of information.

• Maintain professional conduct and adhere to the Public Health Code of Ethics. Use exceptional customer service skills to respond to community needs, enhance public relations, coordinate activities, and represent the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment to promote and maintain a positive public health image and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.

Required for All Jobs

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Complies with all policies and standards

Required Qualifications

High school graduate or equivalent and 4 years of experience as an Environmental Health Specialist 1; OR

• Associate's degree and 2 years of experience as an Environmental Health Specialist 1; OR

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, environmental health, or closely related field.

• Must have the ability to be reached (such as on a cell phone) and work outside of normal business hours as necessary, especially during emergencies and as needed by the Health Department Executive Director or Division Directors.

• Must have and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license and use of personal, insured vehicle. Dependable transportation and auto insurance, maintained at all times, as required by State law.

• Candidate must pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in public health.

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, environmental health, or closely related field.

• Bilingual in Spanish (read, write, and speak).

This position is non- exempt (Compensation to determine FLSA status) from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

As an applicant for this position, you should be aware of Senate Bill 19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The act requires employers to announce the pay range for job openings. This range encompasses the nine pay steps available should you receive the position and demonstrate satisfactory performance over time.

Weld County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.