Environmental Health Specialist - Public Health (Food & Lodging Inspections)

Environmental Health Specialist - Public Health (Food & Lodging Inspections)

“Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career”

Salary Range: $57,346.00 -  $75,266.63/year

This is an exempt (salary) position
Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job

This role is on-site 5 days a week.

About Us
At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County Public Health become even better, too.  Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a healthier world for all.

As a member of the Mecklenburg County Public Health team, you will become a subject matter expert in the public health field.  The CDC foundation explains that “Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.  This work is achieved by promoting health lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, detecting, preventing, and responding to infectious disease”.

Come be a part of Mecklenburg County’s Public Health department’s vision to “assure the health and safety of our diverse and changing community today and for future generations.”

Position Summary
Performs technical, investigative, and regulatory work to protect and promote the public’s health by the enforcement of multiple codes and regulations. This position, under minimal supervision, evaluates regulated food services, institutions, public swimming pools to determine the degree of compliance with state and county laws, rules, and regulations. Determines the public health risk factors based on field and laboratory findings and decides what level of immediate and/or legal remediation is appropriate for the situation.

Essential Functions
• Work cooperatively with operators of systems and establishments to improve operational processes to reduce risk of illness and diagnose problems related to operations impacting public health and safety.
• Conduct field test, sampling and investigations to assess potential biological, physical and/or chemical contamination of food, groundwater and the physical environment to determine sources of and methods for control of hazards.
• Review inspection reports and monitor follow-up corrective and enforcement actions and plan to achieve long-term as well as short-term resolutions to violations that are critical due to lack of compliance with state and local regulations.
• Investigate complaints from the public, medical referrals and community illness reports concerning suspected violations of environmental laws, rules and regulations.
• Coordinate and participate in enforcement actions with external agencies such as Fire and Police.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, and other documents concerning complaints and enforcement activities.
• Consult with management, other state and local governmental agencies and industry representatives on food and water safety and environmental concerns.
• Utilize data processing applications involving databases and spreadsheets to compile, inventory, and manage field testing, sampling and investigations data.
• Provide field training for new employees and other public health personnel.
• Serve as an educational resource to the public, property owners, establishment operators and their staff about environmental water and food safety practices designed to prevent the spread of disease.
• Review and approve/disapprove plans for construction, repair, and/or safe abandonment of onsite wastewater systems and wells; construction or remodeling of food service establishments, public swimming pools and institutions.
• Issue or modify operational permits when work is completed and in compliance with local and state requirements.

Minimum Qualifications
Experience: 
Two years of experience or equivalent education and experience in the field of environmental health practice.

Education: 
Educational requirements are mandated by NC General Statute 90A 53(3): graduate from a baccalaureate or postgraduate degree program that is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC); or graduate from a baccalaureate or postgraduate degree program that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education, Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) having earned a minimum of 30