Environmental Health Specialist I

Description

Teller County's Department of Public Health and Environment is currently seeking a full time Environmental Health Specialist I to assist the Environmental Health Specialist II with ensuring compliance with Federal, State and County ordinances, laws and guidelines pertaining to environmental health quality and public health; advises Environmental Health Specialist II and Deputy Director of Public Health & Environment on matters pertaining to environmental and public health; plans, develops and recommends for adoption by the Teller County Board of Health practices and procedures designed to protect life, health, safety and improve the quality of life for residents in Teller County. 

What You'll Do:  

Assists Environmental Health staff with Retail Food Establishment (RFE) inspections, including camps, schools and childcare facilities, to ensure compliance with all State rules and regulations. Conduct RFE Plan Reviews, administer annual licensing & renewals, administer Civil Penalty notifications. Conduct Food Borne Illness/outbreak investigations, investigate complaints, and provide general food safety information. Assist with food safety courses as needed. 

Ensure compliance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requirements for locating, monitoring, and reporting zoonotic disease occurrences, including plague, hantavirus and rabies. Assure all lab specimens related to zoonotic investigations, such as bats, cats, and dogs are sent to appropriate lab and response with the results in collaboration with the communicable disease nursing staff.  Respond to industry, residents and Public Health in zoonotic related concerns, investigations, and education. 

Assists with plan review, issuing permits, conducting soils analysis and inspections for the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) program, variance processes, transfer of title, code enforcement, and be responsive to customers as related to local regulations. and conduct OWTS Regulations revisions and adoption through the Board of Health as required. Assist with regulatory compliance and reporting to CDPHE for Teller County Wastewater Utilities. Respond to and verify complaints and issue corrective orders to ensure compliance. Assist with Teller County’s short-term-rental (STR) compliance if applicable. 

Review plans for Land Use Applications and collaborate with various County departments as needed.

Respond in coordination with Public Health & Environment and the Office of Emergency Management on issues/incidents related to bioterrorism, natural disasters and the response of hazardous substances release, characterization, recommend remediation actions, and ensure reporting compliance pursuant to all Federal State and local rules and regulations. 

Responsible for participation in the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) pursuant to Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act, as Title III of the Superfund Amendments & Reauthorization Act of 1986 and any other committees necessary. Responsible for collaboration with the Office of Emergency Management to ensure annual compliance with Tier II facility hazardous substance reporting and recordkeeping and any other reporting and recordkeeping required by Federal, state and local rules and regulations.

Engage in environmental health education through group presentations, media articles and individual contacts as needed. 

Serve as needed on various public health and environmental advisory boards and committees; serve as member of an emergency preparedness team and attend meetings when required. 

Requirements

What You'll Bring:

Education/Experience:

• Associates degree in environmental health or related field: preferably a science-based background but other relevant disciplines may be considered; 
• One (1) year of related experience 
• Any acceptable combination of education, training and experience that provides the listed knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted.

 You should also have the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

Knowledge of: Environmental disease transmission, food safety, wastewater and water quality and principles of environmental health and safety; hazardous substances including any substance, material, waste or mixture designated as a hazardous material, waste or substance according to 49 Code of Federal Regulation Part 172; biological, radiological and chemical analysis; sample collection and laboratory methodologies; principles and processes for providing excellent customer service,