Environmental Health Program Specialist – Food & Lodging

Transylvania; Brevard (NC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A local public health agency is seeking an Environmental Health Program Specialist in Brevard, NC. This role involves promoting public health through various programs, including food protection and environmental health services. The ideal candidate will conduct inspections, provide technical assistance, and ensure compliance with health laws. Strong knowledge in microbiology and environmental health principles is required, along with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Competitive benefits and support for professional growth are offered.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures.
• Understanding of microbiology, biology, and chemistry.
• Knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies relating to environmental health.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services such as routine sanitation inspections.
• Coordinate and implement environmental health programs.
• Assist with planning and goal development for the branch programs.

Skills

Knowledge of environmental health laws

Knowledge of microbiology

Understanding of food science

Strong communication skills

Technical assistance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health or related field

Job description

Transylvania County Public Health is looking for a dedicated Environmental Health Program Specialist to preform advanced professional environmental health work focused on promoting public health through education, surveillance, consultation, inspection, quality assurance, and enforcement of State, Local, and Federal environmental health laws and regulations.

Specifically, the Program Specialist position assists in the coordination and implementation of all programs within the Food Protection and Facilities Branch and the Children’s Environmental Health Services Branch. Responsibilities include regulating and overseeing activities of food service facilities, lodging establishments, institutions, residential care homes, local confinement facilities, summer residential and day camps, bed‑and‑breakfast homes and inns, adult day service facilities, public and private schools, childcare centers and large homes, public swimming pools, tattoo artists and parlors, private water supplies, mass gatherings, and the environmental components of childhood lead poisoning prevention.

• The Program Specialist helps with workload assignments, provides technical assistance on complex problems to other Environmental Health Specialists, trains and evaluates new trainee specialists and provides general management and quality assurance of the stated programs.
• The majority of the time is spent providing direct services such as routine sanitation inspections, plan review, and consultation to clients.
• The Program Specialist position is the formal education/training component of both the Food Protection and Facilities Branch and the Children’s Environmental Health Services Branch programs.
• Responsibility includes content development, coordinating, implementing, and teaching course work as well as being the direct contact person for obtaining professional guest lecturers.
• Food service professionals, childcare workers, patient direct caregivers, parents, families, and the general public are among the target groups. The Program Specialist will have shared responsibility of assuring compliance with state laws, rules, policies, and procedures as delegated by the Environmental Health Supervisor.
• The Program Specialist will also spend time assisting with the planning and goal development for the Food Protection and Facilities Branch and the Children’s Environmental Health Services Branch programs and the potable water lab and will provide some degree of liaison between Environmental Health field staff and management/administration.
• The Program Specialist often acts as the main liaison between the food service industry and general public with upper‑level local health officials and the NC state regional health officials.
• The Program Specialist serves on the inter-disciplinary health department “Epi-Team” for the environmental component of disease outbreak control and investigation. Perform other related duties as required.

• Knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as complete understanding of the concepts of public health law.
• Knowledge of microbiology, biology, chemistry, food science, epidemiology, soil science, entomology, and basic engineering technology as applied to environmental health practices.
• Knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies relating to environmental health and community resources.
• Knowledge of the interrelationship between socio-economic factors and environmental health concerns.`; }