Environmental Health Specialist I/II - Food Safety (Internal Health Department Only)

Posting number: 26-009

Department: Health Dept

Division: Health Department Environmental Health

Job classification: Environmental Health Specialist II - SHD

Posting type: Open

Categories: Food Services, Public Health, Miscellaneous

Summary

*Only active employees of the Health Department will be considered for this role.*

This position is open until noon on Monday August 17th and is a bargaining unit represented position.

Why Join Snohomish County?
Snohomish County’s commitment to life-work balance and an inclusive culture. The County offers outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities to our employees, and we also enjoy flexible work schedules, telework options and a convenient downtown Everett, WA. location. Snohomish County believes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and is committed to embedding these values into our workplace culture. Snohomish County is located on the Puget Sound; we are situated near some of the country’s most scenic national parks and is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S.  

Description

Under the direction of an Environmental Health Supervisor, or designee, will conduct routine inspections in the food safety program.  Additionally, the individual will provide education, technical assistance and regulatory information to members of the public.

Individuals assigned to this position are expected to apply a thorough understanding of food-borne, water-borne and waste-borne communicable diseases, potential public health risks associated with solid and hazardous waste and their means of transmission and control to work situations that are varied as well as routine. May require some weekend work and adjustments to normal working hours as required to conduct inspections. 

Work is performed under general supervision.  Supervisor defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines; and assists incumbent with unusual situations which do not have clear objectives or precedents.  Incumbent plans and carries out assignments and handles problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures and/or accepted practices.   Work is evaluated for professional competency, adherence to the goals and objectives of the program, technical soundness and conformity to procedures, regulations and objectives.

Examples of duties

• Maintain a professional working relationship with the regulated community, staff of other public agencies concerning District regulatory responsibilities as well as public and private individuals who utilize the department's services.
• Travels to various sites throughout the county conducting inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with current regulations.
• Provides education, technical assistance, and regulatory compliance advice to the facility, the public and the media, translating technical and regulatory information to a variety of audiences.
• Completes reports of areas in violation.
• Recommends corrective measures and takes appropriate enforcement action.
• Meets with responsible parties to discuss correction of deficiencies and to obtain compliance through education and appropriate enforcement action.
• Reviews plans for establishments/facilities and inspects construction and remodeling.
• Investigates complaints and incidents of suspected illness at establishments/facilities.
• Maintains accurate field records, write reports, makes recommendations for follow-up actions based upon findings of investigations.
• Updates and uses computerized data management systems.

Associated Duties: 

• Other duties as requested.
• Perform sanitarian duties in other Environmental Sections as necessary to cover absences, to equalize peak work periods or to balance the work load.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Required:

Education:       Requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution involving major study in environmental health, sanitary science, microbiology or public health or other closely related science.

Experience:     Incumbent will be considered an Environmental Health Specialist 1 without work experience (traineeships or other experience associated with college c