Environmental Health Director*

Orange County Government; Hillsborough (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Orange County Government seeks a strategic leader to direct the Environmental Health Division within the Orange County Health Department. The role oversees programs, budgeting, staffing, and evaluation to advance public health and ensure regulatory compliance.

The incumbent will coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies, lead field operations for investigations, and contribute to emergency preparedness and preparedness activities as a key member of the leadership team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with minimum 30 semester hours in physical or biological sciences as required by NC GS 90A-53
• Six years of professional environmental health work at the environmental health specialist level or above in a health department, with three years of admin management and supervisory experience
• Must be registered as a Sanitarian by the North Carolina Board of Sanitarian Examiners
• Delegation of authority from the NC DHHS to administer state environmental health rules and laws
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid NC driver license
• Background check and pre-employment drug testing required

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Environmental Health Division of the Orange County Health Department
• Provide strategic leadership and oversee daily operations, staff, and program development
• Oversee Healthy Homes Program and Public Health Preparedness activities
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies and community organizations
• Serve on Health Department Leadership Team and lead field operations for environmental health investigations

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental health

Registered Sanitarian

Public health administration

Job description

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work is responsible for leading and managing the Environmental Health Division of the Orange County Health Department. An employee in this class protects and promotes public health by evaluating environmental conditions, administering environmental health programs, enforcing regulations, and coordinating services that support community well-being. The position provides strategic leadership, oversees daily operations, manages staff, and directs program development and evaluation. The employee develops and oversees environmental health programs involving budgeting, staffing, operational direction, regulatory compliance, education, outreach, and quality assurance. Responsibilities include direct oversight of the Healthy Homes Program and Public Health Preparedness activities, as well as ensuring compliance with Environmental Health requirements in the Consolidated Agreement for Quality Assurance. Work requires extensive coordination with federal, state, and local agencies, other Health Department divisions, and community and professional organizations.

The position serves on the Health Department Leadership Team and plays a key role in emergency preparedness and response. In the incident command structure, the employee coordinates Environmental Health field operations and Environmental Health and Safety functions. The position is also a core member of the epidemiology team and serves as the lead field coordinator for foodborne disease investigations.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Health Director with considerable independence in planning and carrying out assignments within the framework of applicable laws, rules, and policies. The employee determines appropriate actions in responding to customer needs, addressing program issues, and completing project assignments. Overall objectives and resources are established in consultation with the Health Director, with the employee responsible for setting priorities and deadlines.

Supervision is a responsibility of this class. The employee manages a division of the Health Department, exercising full authority over staff, programs, and operations.

Related work is performed as required.

*A background check is required.

The hiring range is on this posting NOT on the job specification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in environmental health, biology, or a related field that includes a minimum of 30 semester hours in physical or biological sciences (as required by NC GS 90A-53), AND six (6) years of experience in professional environmental health work at the environmental health specialist level or above in a health department, with three (3) years of public health administrative management and supervisory experience, OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in environmental health from a program accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula of the National Environmental Health Association, AND six (6) years of experience in professional environmental health work at the environmental health specialist level or above in a health department, with three (3) years of public health administrative management and supervisory experience.

Must be registered as a Sanitarian by the North Carolina Board of Sanitarian Examiners.

Requires delegation of authority from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to administer state environmental health rules and laws in the applicable program areas. Authorization to perform duties, acting as an agent of the state. The authorization process includes attending Centralized Intern Training, passing exams administered by the Environmental Health Section, DHHS and demonstrating satisfactory field performance.

*Definition – Experience at the Environmental Health Specialist Level or Above

Experience at the environmental health specialist level or above means professional environmental health work performed in a position that requires registration or qualification under North Carolina General Statutes 90A. This includes duties such as conducting environmental health inspections, investigations, permitting, enforcement, program evaluation, and fieldwork in areas such as food protection, onsite wastewater, wells, lead investigations, public health nuisances, and other environmental programs. Or above includes experience gained in advanced, supervisory, or managerial environmental health positions that build upon and expand the responsibilities of an Environmental Health Specialist.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess or be able to obtain Registered Sanitarian certification by the North Carolina Board of Sanitarian Examiners.

May be required to possess additional certification(s) as deemed necessary by the Environmental Health Director.

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid Driver License issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of a background check and pre-employment drug testing. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory verification of your eligibility for employment, successful completion of the required pre-employment testing and/or screening, including drug testing when required and the submission and approval of all new hire documentation completion of your new hire paperwork.

Orange County is an affirmative action/ Equal Opportunity Employer