Environmental Health Specialist I or II - Consumer Protection (Hybrid Work Schedule)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

The Environmental Health Specialist performs inspections and investigations required by laws, rules, and regulations of the State of Colorado and Arapahoe County. This role documents violations and ensures compliance. May also recommend initiation of enforcement action(s) when necessary to the Environmental Health Supervisor.

Early Childhood Program
The Environmental Health Specialist position for the Early Childhood Program will be involved in performing inspections and investigations of regulated businesses with a focus on inspections of childcares, schools, responding to complaints, and investigating illnesses related to environmental causes. There may also be some overlap with potential work in other Environmental Health programs. The position also entails building collaborative relationships internally across divisions and externally with community partners to advance public health initiatives in in these settings as well as providing technical assistance and education to the public and other agencies regarding areas of public health concerns.
Consumer Protection Program
The Environmental Health Specialist position for the Consumers Protection (CP) Program will primarily perform work in support of the Retail Food Program. This work consists of educating and conducting regulatory inspections of Retail Food Establishments as well as licensing and inspecting mobile food and special event vendors. CP Specialists will investigate food borne illnesses and will work closely with Communicable Disease staff in the event of a food related outbreak. Additionally, CP Specialists will respond to and investigate a range of environmental complaints and resident concerns. CP Specialists may also conduct regulatory inspections of Body Art facilities and become involved in vector surveillance and control efforts. There may also be some overlap with potential work in other Environmental Health programs.
Water Program
The Environmental Health Specialist position for the Water Program will be involved in performing inspections of onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) designs, installations, and use, as well as with investigations related to surfacing sewage, from OWTS or otherwise, along with any corresponding direction of event mitigation or reporting activities. Additionally, the Water Program Specialist will also be involved in performing inspections and investigations of regulated businesses with a focus on inspections of recreational water operations (pools, space, splash pads), responding to complaints, and investigating illnesses related to environmental causes. There may also be some overlap with potential work in other Environmental Health programs. The Water Program Specialist may also conduct regulatory inspections of Waste Tire operations and will work closely with the Solid and Hazardous Waste Specialist, may have opportunity to conduct land use case reviews on land use cases that involve OWTS or past/present/future solid waste sites, and will also conduct environmental record reviews as part of phase I environmental assessments.

This is an entry level position in which the employee is learning and mastering skills that require close oversight from senior level employees to ensure they are carrying out the scope and responsibilities as outlined in the job description and program procedures to handle more complex situations independently.

DUTIES:

• Conducts scheduled and non-routine inspections of industrial, commercial, public or private facilities to assure continued compliance with environmental standards. Notifies owners or operators of unsafe, inadequate, or non-complying conditions; maintains records of contacts made and conditions encountered.
• Investigates environmental health conditions; makes recommendations for compliance with requirements; prepares issuance of orders and instructions to maintain compliance with environmental health requirements of laws, rules, and regulations. Responds to public complaints and inquiries regarding environmental health subjects and issues. Provides resources and information.
• Performs a variety of field tests to determine proper and safe operation of equipment and facilities; may collect samples for further analysis. Explains findings of investigations, field tests and laboratory analysis to owners and managers of establishments and occupants of premises subject to environmental health requirements. Offers technical advice to ensure compliance.
• Performs file data input into computer systems associated with environmental health programs.
• Reviews and recommends approval of plans and specification for most situations. Issues permits as appropriate. Conducts inspections of construction and equipment installations to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Participates in community outreach activities to promote understanding and support of environmental health programs.

REQUIREMENTS:

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Responds, as required, to support public health emergencies, incidents, and events. Employee participates in all exercises and drills on emergency preparedness and response, as required. Completes trainings identified as appropriate for this level employee and initiates corrective actions and responses pursuant to Federal, State, and Local laws, statutes, and regulations.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to maintain professional, effective collaborative relationships with coworkers, on teams, and with external representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community
• Communicate effectively and professionally with project staff, contractors, clients, and other project stakeholders
• Is proficient with the use of computers and associated standard software suites

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Integrity

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s in environmental health, science or related field
• At least 0 years of relevant experience
• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience:
A Master’s Degree in Environmental Health, Public Health, or a related field

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.

Post-Employment Requirements:

• This position requires reliable transportation and the ability to operate motor vehicles.
• Must be able to work on-call rotation for urgent business hours/after-hours calls related to Environmental Health

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally conducted within various indoor and outdoor worksites. Incumbent experiences occasional exposures to disease, blood borne pathogens, toxic compounds, pesticides, gases, and fumes. May require work in industrial and construction areas.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

• Spends 50% of the time sitting and 50% of the time either standing or walking.
• Requires ability to lift, carry, pull, or push equipment occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Requires the ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions and ability to walk and navigate on all types of terrain.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Requires the sufficient hearing and speech ability to communicate verbally in response to inquiries, complaints, and to speak to large groups of people in an educational presentation.
• Requires manual dexterity to operate computer equipment and test equipment.
• Requires color vision to distinguish titration/chemical reaction to color changes. Requires correctable vision to observe sampling activities and conduct investigations of health situations.
• This role may require wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment) on construction sites and in other hazardous environments when necessary, including protective clothing, hard hat, safety

Definitions:

• Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
• Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
• Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.