Environmental Health Specialist 1 or 2

Carson City, Nevada; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 63,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No Nevada state income tax

Retirement plan (PERS)

Medical, dental, vision insurance

11 paid holidays

Annual leave and sick leave

Job summary

Carson City Health & Human Services is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist at the entry/training level or the journey level depending on qualifications. The role involves inspections, regulatory compliance, and public health protection in Carson City, Nevada.

The position requires a degree in a relevant science field and appropriate registrations. The EHS 2 track requires two years of relevant experience and professional certifications within specified timeframes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 30+ semester hours in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, sanitary engineering or environmental engineering.
• Two years of full-time environmental health or enforcement experience (required for Environmental Health Specialist 2).
• Must obtain BoREHS registration within 30 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine inspections of facilities to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Document violations and issue notices of corrective action.
• Investigate health safety complaints and provide guidance on regulations.
• Prepare reports and maintain records of inspections and findings.
• Provide educational materials on food-safety and environmental health to the public.

Skills

Environmental health knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Inspection skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology/chemistry/physics/geology/sanitary engineering or environmental engineering

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Office suite

Internet / E-mail

Job description

This is a full-time, FLSA non-exempt position with Carson City Health & Human Services. Depending on qualifications, this position may be hired as either an Environmental Health Specialist 1 or 2.

Description

This is a full-time, FLSA non-exempt position with Carson City Health & Human Services. Depending on qualifications, this position may be hired as either an Environmental Health Specialist 1 or 2.

Environmental Health Specialist 1:

This is the entry and training level in the Environmental Health Specialist series which provides for progression to the journey level upon meeting the requirements of the class, recommendation of the appointing authority, and as budget allows. Incumbents must obtain certification as described in NRS Chapter 625A.115 in order to be retained for employment unless an exemption is granted by the REHS Board. This level is intended as a temporary training position to enable incumbents to learn policies, procedures, specific techniques, and regulations related to environmental health while assisting journey level Environmental Health Specialists.

Environmental Health Specialist 2:

Under general supervision, conduct routine inspections of public facilities in order to ensure compliance with City and Nevada state laws and regulations governing Environmental Health and Safety; to protect the public against disease, sickness, illness and/or injury; to investigate environmental health related epidemiological complaints.

Salary Ranges:

Environmental Health Specialist 1:
(Employer-Paid PERS) $30.2712 - $42.3798 hourly / $62,964.20 - $88,149.88 annually
(Employee/Employer-Paid PERS) $36.5187 - $51.1264 hourly / $75,959.00 - $106,342.86 annually

Environmental Health Specialist 2:
(Employer-Paid PERS) $34.2934 - $48.0108 hourly / $71,330.22 - $99,862.36 annually
(Employee/Employer-Paid PERS) $41.3711 - $57.9196 hourly / $86,051.94 - $120,472.82 annually

In addition to an outstanding retirement plan, this position is afforded the excellent benefits set forth in the Carson City Employees Association labor contract: CCEA Labor Contract

Examples of Duties

• Perform routine compliance inspections of facilities including but not limited to the following: retail, wholesale, mobile and non-profit food establishments and vendors; public, private and charter schools; private, public and institutional child-care facilities; hotels, motels, septic tank systems, vector/ animal disease surveillance, collection and abatement, recreational vehicle parks and mobile home parks; correctional institutions; body art parlors; public swimming pools; and other environmental health issues.
• Document all violations, issue notices of corrective action and ensure future adherence through periodic follow up visits.
• Issue Notices of Violation and/or Cease and Desist orders to illegal food vendors or facilities that require permits and/or illegal dumping suspects; issue Nuisance Abatement orders to persons causing or maintaining conditions that are a public health hazard or environment health nuisance.
• Investigate complaints of health safety violations including bio-terrorism and communicable disease; provide general policy compliance information to architects, owners/operators, contractors, consultants and other independent entities.
• Respond to walk-in and telephone complaints and requests for information on regulations, procedures, systems and precedents relating to assigned program.
• Collect random samples of water, soil, waste, food and animals suspected of contamination; deliver samples to the laboratory for processing and assessment.
• Review construction application documents and plans for food establishments, public swimming pools, Child Care facilities, schools, public accommodations, individual sewage disposal facilities, mobile home and RV parks and solid waste facilities; approve or deny applications based on factual evidence; issue permits as appropriate.
• Investigate and compile data for special projects; collect and assemble data and background materials for reports and/or presentations.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for all inspections; maintain records on all inspection sites; update files and continuously monitor sites for health safety compliance and remediation.
• Perform mosquito abatement duties as required.
• Provide and explain educational materials, regulations, policies and other compliance information to contractors, permit holders, consultants and the general public.
• Conduct educational presentations on food-safety and other regulated topics.
• Testify in judicial and semi judicial proceedings and hearings.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department's service provision by developing and coordinating work teams and by reviewing, recommending and implementing improved policies and procedures.
• Uses standard office equipment, including a computer, in the course of the work.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with patients, family members, visitors, and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.

Typical Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education And Experience

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, sanitary engineering or environmental engineering *PLEASE ATTACH A COPY OF TRANSCRIPT TO APPLICATION*; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience approved by the Board of Registered Environmental Health Specialists (BoREHS).

A minimum of two years of full-time experience performing environmental health or enforcement functions in a health department or industry (Required for Environmental Health Specialist 2 only).

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS

Environmental Health Specialist 1:

• A valid driver’s license.
• Must file with the Board of Registered Environmental Health Specialists an application for a certificate of registration as an environmental health specialist trainee not later than 30 days after the date on which the person initially becomes employed as a part of the training program.
• Continued employment is contingent upon passing the written examination and been issued a certificate of registration as an environmental health specialist by the BoREHS within three (3) years of date of employment.

Environmental Health Specialist 2:

• A valid driver’s license.
• Must have passed the written examination and been issued a certificate of registration as an environmental health specialist by the Nevada BoREHS, or able to obtain a registration by endorsement from the Nevada BoREHS.
• If not already registered with the Nevada Board of Registered Environmental Health Specialists (BoREHS), the employee must obtain a Certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist with the Nevada BoREHS within 30 days of appointment. Must maintain certificate of registration by completing yearly requirements as a condition of continued employment.
• If not already holding a current Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certificate, the employee must obtain within one (1) year of employment.
• If asked to be part of the mosquito abatement program, if not already holding a current Certified Pest Control certificate from the Nevada Department of Agriculture, the employee must obtain with in one (1) year of employment.

Knowledge Of:

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Health Department health and safety policies and procedures.
• Computer applications that relate to the job including but not exclusive to Microsoft Windows, Word, Office, Excel, Internet and E-Mail applications, and other modern office procedures.
• General principles of biological, physical and chemical sciences used in environmental health and safety.
• General principles and application of microbiology as it relates to food-safety and disease transmission.
• General principles and application of chemistry as it relates to hazardous materials.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals, at all levels of responsibility, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.

Skill In:

• Interpreting, applying and explaining environmental health inspection, investigation and enforcement principles and procedures.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining Federal, State and Local laws, codes and regulations as they relate to the administration of public health.
• Analyzing situations accurately and take or recommend effective action.
• Responding to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Understanding and follow oral and written instructions.
• Preparing clear and concise reports.
• Obtaining public cooperation in the establishment and maintenance of reasonable public and environmental health standards.
• Applying computer applications related to the job including but not exclusive to Microsoft Word, Office, Excel; Internet and E-Mail applications.
• Safe handling and storage techniques of pesticides, chemicals and formulated or naturally occurring hazardous materials or items.
• Collection and correct labeling of laboratory samples.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
• Demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with business owners, public, and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Under General Supervision - Incumbents at this level are given assignments and objectives that are governed by specifically outlined work methods and a sequence of steps, which are explained in general terms. The responsibility for achieving the work objectives, however, rests with a superior. Immediate supervision is not consistent, but checks are integrated into work processes and/or reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; work is subject to performance under adverse weather conditions, exposure to high levels of noise and exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and substances.

Supplemental Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All new employees will serve a probationary period of twelve (12) months. Such employees are not subject to the collective bargaining agreement and may be laid off or discharged during this period for any reason, or no reason.
• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
• Any City employee may be required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.
• Employees may be required to complete Incident Command System training as a condition of continuing employment.
• New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint based background investigation which cost the new employee $48.25 and a drug screen which costs $36.50. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.
• Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.uscis.gov.
• Carson City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Following is an overview of the benefit package offered to employees in this job classification.

• No Nevada state income tax
• Nevada Public Employees Retirement System contributions based on employee election
• No Social Security
• Medicare deduction of 1.45%
• Eleven paid holidays
• Annual leave
• Sick leave
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Worker's Compensation
• Employee assistance plan
• Deferred Compensation (457b) plans available
• Voluntary additional insurance plans available
• Flexible spending (IRS 125) plans available

For additional information, please contact Human Resources at [phone].