Environmental Health Specialist

City of DeSoto; DeSoto (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of DeSoto seeks a qualified public health professional to manage communicable disease programs and inspections across food establishments, pools, and care facilities. You will enforce health codes, coordinate trainings, and oversee vector control and household hazardous waste programs while addressing issues in multi-tenant properties.

A Bachelor's degree in biological, environmental, or chemical sciences and five years of public sector environmental health inspections are required,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in biological, environmental or chemical sciences.
• Five years of experience completing and coordinating public sector environmental health inspections.
• Registration as a professional sanitarian or sanitarian in training.
• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

Responsibilities

• Manage communicable disease programs and inspections for areas such as food establishments, swimming pools, and group homes.
• Enforce health codes by coordinating inspections for various facilities and contracting services with other agencies.
• Coordinate health-related training programs and maintain training records.
• Organize vector control activities and coordinate with outside agencies and vendors.
• Manage household hazardous waste programs and act as liaison with other organizations.
• Address complaints related to multi-tenant apartment complexes and rental properties.

Skills

Biology & Chemistry

Environmental health laws

Microsoft Office

Reading blueprints

Verbal & written communication

Public health inspections

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in biological, environmental or chemical sciences

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Our Core Values

We LOVE DeSoto

• L- We lift up our community
• O- We take ownership of our collective performance
• V- We value and respect all employees
• E- We empower employees to grow

The purpose of the position is to manage communicable disease programs and inspections for areas which could include food establishments, swimming pools, and group homes. This is accomplished by directing health inspections; ensuring compliance with standards, inspecting sites; scheduling and assigning tasks, coordinating mandated changes, facilitating training; and developing policies, procedures and ordinances. Other duties include reviewing plans and specifications, responding to environmental nuisance complaints, and managing budgets.

• Enforces health codes by coordinating inspections for permitted food establishments, swimming pool establishments, licensed day care facilities, foster homes, boarding homes, and other areas; and establishing and maintaining contracts and agreements for services with other agencies.
• Coordinates health-related training programs by scheduling classes; providing information; completing certifications; and maintaining training records.
• Organizes vector control activities by coordinating efforts and contracting with outside agencies and vendors; providing public education and technical assistance; inspecting and recommending treatment for problem areas; and by reviewing and updating contractual services.
• Manages household hazardous waste programs by disseminating information to the public; managing the budget; and acting as liaison with other organizations.
• Addresses some complaints associated with multi-tenant apartment complexes/rental properties.

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited college or university in the biological, environmental or chemical sciences, or related field
• Five years of experience completing and coordinating public sector environmental health inspections
• Position may require flexible hours including some evening and weekend hours
• Registration as a professional sanitarian or sanitarian in training
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record and ability to maintain while employed

• Knowledge of City policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Comprehensive knowledge of biology and chemistry; environmental health laws; the principles and practices involved in the proper handling and preparation of food; and disease control principles as they relate to human health
• Skill in the operation of food and water chemistry measuring devices
• Skill in the operation and use of standard office software which includes databases and presentation programs, along with standard Microsoft products
• Ability to read and interpret building plans, specifications and blueprints and relate them to the inspection process
• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with co-workers, the public, and elected and appointed officials