Environmental Health Inspector #1653 - Environmental Health - Health and Social Services

All Hamilton County Health & Social Services Division employees are responsible for ensuring their contact information is current and they are accessible should a public health emergency arise. The division maintains a call-down system to store contact information and mobilize staff in the event of an emergency. During a public health emergency, all staff are required to respond if mobilized, and work hours may be modified to meet community needs.

Responsibilities

• Inspects restaurants, hotels, swimming pools, child care facilities, day and overnight camps, bed and breakfasts, school cafeterias, and before/after school programs for sanitation levels and structural criteria to protect public health by reducing foodborne illnesses and other health violations.
• Reviews architectural plans for remodeled or newly constructed food facilities, hotels, and public pools for compliance with structural and construction standards.
• Reviews and investigates reports of food-borne disease outbreaks.
• Provides food safety classes to ensure proper food handling, preparation, and disposal of food, chemicals, and waste.
• Conducts onsite inspections for special events to ensure safe food handling and sanitation practices.
• Responds to environmental health emergencies during or after regular work hours.
• Enforces laws, rules, codes, and regulations related to general nuisance complaints; investigates complaints in conjunction with the Hamilton County Health & Safety Board; works with property owners to address validated complaints; coordinates rodent and vector control; issues warnings and/or citations; assists with legal actions in Environmental Court.
• Provides consultation and training to community groups, schools, and daycares on environmental issues.
• Coordinates the local rabies control program by working with local animal shelters and the veterinarian association; responds to animal exposures in the community and assesses risk of rabies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, General Science, or a closely related field. OR
• Associate’s Degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, General Science, or a closely related field and two (2) years of direct work experience in Environmental Health, Biology, General Science, or a closely related field. OR
• High school diploma and four (4) years of direct work experience in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, General Science, or a closely related field.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must successfully complete FDA standardization training within eighteen (18) months of hire.
• Rotating on-call responsibilities to address emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• This position is deemed essential during inclement weather and must report to or remain at work, even when administrative closings are announced.
• Prior to operating a County-owned vehicle, must complete the HC Defensive Driving course and/or an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC).

Skills

• Knowledge of federal, state, and county laws, rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances related to environmental health and safety.
• Knowledge of inspection and investigation of health and safety issues.
• Knowledge of universal health and safety precautions, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of facility and site inspection.
• Knowledge of customer service and public relations methods and practices.
• Knowledge of computer hardware, software, and peripherals.
• Skill in investigating and enforcing environmental health laws, codes, and ordinances.
• Skill in reviewing and inspecting facilities, plats, subdivision, construction sites, and blueprints for permits.
• Skill in utilizing customer service and public relations techniques when responding to inquiries and complaints.
• Skill in negotiating, mediating, and reaching consensus on issues.
• Skill in inspecting new, existing, or remodeled facilities for compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Skill in testing water and food samples for possible contamination.
• Skill in verbal and written communication for developing reports and documenting investigations.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual candidates preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Work requires climbing, bending, stooping, lifting, and carrying testing equipment and nuisance waste weighing up to 25 pounds during inspections or investigations.
• Potential exposure to air, water, and foodborne pathogens.

This position is work-in-person and requires regular, punctual attendance. Irregular hours, shift work, and work on holidays or weekends may be required, including possible extension of shift hours with short notice.