Environmental Health Specialist I

Position:                              Environmental Health Specialist I                                  Classification:                   Full-time, Non-Exempt

Department:                      Environmental Health                                                       Reports to:                         Environmental Health Director

Posting Date:                     1/31/2023                                                                          Application Deadline:    Until filled

Position Grade:                 Grade 10 $20.45 for Sanitarian-in-Training                  (Grade 11 $22.80 upon becoming a registered Sanitarian and DOE)        

Position Schedule:            Monday – Friday                                                                Benefit Eligible:               PERS/Full Benefits

Job Summary:

Environmental Health Specialists are responsible for providing a variety of duties related to public and environmental health as prescribed by the County Environmental Health Department. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, project planning, evaluation, and investigation as well as interpretation and enforcement of County, State, and Federal regulations relative to environmental health issues. Duties include both office and field work.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Travel Required:

• Within Ravalli County
• Travel for training conferences and other related activities;

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Respond to public inquiries in a timely and courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an effective and timely manner;
• Review plan review applications for licensed establishments; approve or deny applications based on factual evidence, available information, and regulations;
• Performs inspections of licensed establishments, including but not limited to food service establishments, pools and spas, trailer courts, campgrounds, public accommodations, food manufacturing establishments, farmer’s markets, and special events;
• Advise owners, operators, and contractors of any deficiencies and explains regulations, determines corrective measures, and implements compliance schedules
• Performs site evaluations for on-site wastewater treatment systems;
• Designs, inspects, and advises on on-site wastewater treatment systems;
• Conduct public water system surveys;
• Enforces provisions of the Montana Junk Vehicle law;
• Provides emergency duties during office and non-office hours;
• Provides inspections of licensed establishments and events during office and non-office hours;
• Investigates, documents, and resolves food and water borne communicable disease outbreaks;
• Advises, investigates, documents, and resolves complaints and violations regarding all of the above programs;
• Investigates, documents and resolves general sanitation complaints;
• Compile data for special projects; collect and assemble data and background materials for a variety of programs;
• Perform a full range of environmental health duties in the assigned area of work.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required;

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to drive and/or hike to remote areas and spend considerable time outdoors;
• Excellent communication (verbal and writing) and organizational skills;
• Proficient in computer applications, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and able to quickly learn county computer applications;
• Knowledge of basic professional office procedures such as general reception, phone skills, filing, and correspondence preparation;
• Understand and apply fundamentals related to public health and environmental health;
• Have the ability to educate on the laws, regulations, and principles of public and environmental health;
• Understand and apply and enforce laws and regulations related to public health and environmental health;
• Apply standard methods and procedures used in inspection and in correcting unsanitary or hazardous conditions;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with local government officials, department staff, the public, and those contacted in the course of work;
• Prepare correspondence, records, and reports with attention to detail and accuracy;
• Develop or modify program plans;
• Communicate effectively in speech and writing and in a professional manner;
• Effectively deal with situations that may be confrontational or controversial;
• Participate in occasional evening or weekend meetings and assignments;
• Be reasonably available for emergency duties and non-office hour inspections as needed;
• Thoroughly investigate, document, and report environmental health situations and complaints;
• Thoroughly research county files and land records;
• Be detailed, well organized, accurate and thorough in performance of work duties;
• Evaluate legal documents relative to environmental health requirements;

Required Education and Experience:

• Minimum qualifications include Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Evaluation for equivalency is a case by case process but begins with 45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours in the physical and biological health sciences with specific courses in biology, chemistry and microbiology;
• Must be a Registered Sanitarian with the State of Montana or able to become a sanitarian in training prior to hiring or immediately upon hire, and become a registered sanitarian within one year of hire;

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience with Food Inspections and Licensed Establishments preferred;
• Experience with Wastewater Regulations and applications preferred;

Work Environment:

• Driving to and from field sites;
• Office setting

Physical Demands:

• Perform related field work in adverse terrain including but not limited to slopes up to 40% grade, uneven terrain, and remote locations;

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Ravalli County is an equal employment opportunity employer (EEO).  Ravalli County does not refuse employment or discriminate in compensation or the other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment based upon race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, or veteran’s status.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.