Environmental Health Specialist - Onsite

Primary Purpose

The primary responsibility of this position is the promotion of public health through surveillance, inspection, consultation, education, and enforcement of environmental health laws and regulations.

Essential Functions

• Coverage of land evaluations of proposed dwelling sites for on-site wastewater disposal systems and water supply installations.

  • Based on soil porosity, type, structure, particle size, water table, topography, land area, existing structures, water supply sources, and numerous other considerations for dependable accuracy in judgments for land use.

• Issues Construction Authorizations and Improvement Permits when applicable.

  • Design on-site sewage treatment systems for private residences and commercial buildings that meet existing conditions as described above.
  • Provide acceptable alternative sewage system designs when environmental conditions dictate.
  • Educate the public about these systems and the role environmental health plays in public health.

• Respond to Requests for Service including consultative visits concerning wells, water supply, sewage treatment, solid waste disposal, insects and vectors, swimming pools, tattoo parlors, child care facilities, and other varied complaints.

  • Educate the public, provide recommendations and/or issue official notices, if necessary.
  • Follow-up visits are made to ensure compliance with appropriate regulations.

• Collect GPS (Global Positioning System) data during field visits to new or existing septic systems and wells during performance of other listed duties.

  • Correct and check-in the GPS data into departmental geodatabases.

• Assist individuals in siting and permitting locations for proposed private drinking water well installations.

  • Issue permits for the installation, construction, location, repair and replacement of Private Drinking Water Wells in Craven County.
  • Provide inspections of private wells to assure compliance with design criteria and current regulations.

• Consult with and assist individual well owners suspecting contamination of their water supply.

  • Collect water samples and explain results of analyses.
  • Provide appropriate guidance when necessary.

• Assist in the development of and presenting of educational programs.

  • Conduct surveys of mobile home parks, subdivisions, high-density areas, etc. to assure environmental quality and compliance with environmental rules and regulations.

• Travel as needed to perform job responsibilities.

  • Conduct state mandated periodic inspections of existing large, innovative, alternative, complex and/or effluent pump septic systems to ensure proper performance and prolonged life of the systems.
  • Identify failures and consult with owner and operators about approved repair options.
  • Implement enforcement procedures for mismanaged systems.
  • Review engineered plans, groundwater monitoring results and inspection reports.
  • Organize and maintain all information pertaining to each system and provide written correspondence to homeowners, certified operators, engineers and state regulators.
  • Determine the suitability of existing onsite sewage treatment systems to accept replacement residences, foundation additions, and/or detached structures.
  • Ensure original conditions of Improvement Permits and Construction Authorizations are adhered to, setback requirements are met, and that systems are not visibly failing at time of inspection.
  • Design and issue permits for alteration, repair, or relocation of existing septic systems as needed for compliance.
  • Assist in performing pre- and post-disaster activities.
  • Prepare informational handouts and necessary equipment prior to onset of emergency events.
  • Distribute handouts and educate victims on the importance of maintaining proper emergency sanitation practices during recovery efforts.
  • Perform visual surveillance of affected areas and relay information to emergency management personnel.
  • Affix inspection of water supply wells and on-site sewage treatment systems following disaster events.
  • Affix assistance in staffing the environmental health hotline to address public health questions and concerns after emergency events.
  • Affix assistance in the Mosquito Surveillance Program for Craven County Health Department in trap set up, distribution, retrieval, and cleaning of mosquito traps, as needed.
  • Affix assistance with identifying mosquitoes, as time allows.
  • Affix obtain continuing education pertaining to mosquito surveillance and identification.

Minimum Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree from a program that is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC); or Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree in public health and one year of experience in the field of environmental health practice;
• Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences and one year of experience in the field of environmental health practice.

Special Requirements

• Must be eligible to meet the requirements for registration or license as an Environmental Health Specialist as outlined in Article 4, Chapter 90A of the NC General Statutes. G.S. 153A-94.2(b)
• Subject to SBI criminal history record check prior to hire.