ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST 1 - UNDERFILL

State of Nevada (NV); Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nevada Health Authority’s Division of Health Care Purchasing and Compliance in Carson City seeks an Environmental Health Specialist underfill (EHS 3). The role conducts inspections, documents findings, prepares reports and legal-ready data, and supports public inquiries.

It may serve as an expert witness when required. This entry-level position covers permitting, inspection, enforcement, education, consultation, and emergency response across multiple environmental health programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science including biology, chemistry, physics or environmental engineering.
• Ability to interpret technical and legal documents and apply public health codes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct drug licensing investigations and inspections of facilities for compliance with state laws.
• Inspect dairies, milk plants, and food establishments to ensure health code compliance.
• Prepare clear, complete reports and data for legal proceedings and public records.
• Investigate health issues and assist with emergency response and public inquiries.

Skills

Field inspections

Report writing

Public health knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science (biology/chemistry/engineering)

Tools

MS Office

Computer literacy

Job description

The Nevada Health Authority’s Division of Health Care Purchasing and Compliance is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist underfill (EHS 3) for its Carson City office. The position conducts inspections, documents findings, prepares reports and legal‑ready data, supports public inquiries, and serves as an expert witness when required. The role encompasses permitting, inspection, enforcement, education, consultation, and emergency response across multiple environmental health programs governed by relevant Nevada Revised Statutes and Administrative Codes. The position also supports special projects, including the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards, investigates public health issues, and performs additional duties as assigned. Candidates must be able to interpret technical and legal documents, work in dynamic field environments, travel up to 50%, and occasionally work nights, weekends, or holidays. The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Responsibilities

• Conduct drug licensing investigations
• Label review, sampling and inspection of drug and cosmetic manufacturing plants
• Inspection of dairies and milk processing plants
• Certification of septic systems
• Inspection of food warehouses, traditional food and drink establishments, health facilities, public institutions and other related facilities to ensure compliance with State laws and regulations
• Investigate waterborne and foodborne illnesses, epidemics, vector control problems, public nuisances or other public health problems for public protection by conducting food, water and other material sampling (chemical, bacterial, radioactive nuclide, parasite and turbidity samples), analyze data, perform follow‑up interviews with patients and others; survey sites in the field and record and analyze observations and data to identify and solve problems and protect the public health
• Conduct a variety of inspections and evaluations to protect the public health including restaurants, bars, delicatessens, markets, bakeries, food processors, hotels, motels, recreational vehicle parks, dairies, milk plants, milk haulers, septic systems, private wells, pools, spas, food warehouses, hospitals, health care facilities, schools, septic tank pumper trucks, child care centers, bottled water plants, labor camps, jails, State institutions and temporary food events such as fairs; record observations; analyze data received and/or recorded including temperature reporting charts in dairies and milk processing plants, turbidity measurements and pool/spa records; inform operators or owners of deficiencies and violations, and initiate corrective actions or enforcement procedures to ensure compliance with health codes
• Conduct inspections and investigations of landfills and public sewage systems in accordance with the requirements of the Division of Environmental Protection
• Certify real property for well water quality and septic system certification for Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Veterans Administration (VA), and other mortgages by on‑site evaluations, water sampling and septic tank inspections
• Represent the Food and Drug Commissioner when inspecting drug and cosmetic plants; conduct periodic inspections; summarize observations and data analyzed in a report and make written recommendations; issue directives in the field if conditions are hazardous to health, to include closures or impounding of drugs pending further legal action
• Apply sound practices and principles and related field experience to the review of engineering and other plans for establishments and businesses regulated by the section for conformance with the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC); review plans for housing subdivisions, food establishments, spas, pools, warehouses, health facilities, institutions, hotels, motels, and septic systems including an evaluation of new products to ensure conformance with health regulations; review equipment specifications and technical data and perform on‑site inspections as needed
• Enforce applicable NAC and Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) for public health protection; document on‑site observations; compile data and write reports; follow up on inspections to ensure compliance; appear in court as an expert witness as required
• Compile data and write technical reports and recommendations using data which has been gathered through field observations, evidence and lab analysis; prepare data to ensure integrity for future legal actions; prepare press releases, official notices and letters of advice
• Represent the Food and Drug Commissioner in emergencies involving food (truck wrecks, restaurant fires) by accepting call‑back response; visit the site and evaluate the immediate public health danger; issue directives to protect persons at the site; inspect the food, drug and cosmetic products, and quarantine or condemn as required
• Evaluate current health codes and needs; draft proposals for changes in regulations and statutes for public health protection
• Represent the division’s position at official meetings between agencies and individuals; organize and participate in training to present information and discuss programs, regulations and trends; provide information and technical assistance to the general public and regulated community
• Organize evidence and documentation for presentation to the State Board of Health, State Health Officer, Division Administrator and at administrative hearings
• Coordinate work with federal, State and local agencies (FDA, EPA, county health departments) regarding public health matters; consult with other professionals such as engineers, land surveyors, architects, nurses and physicians on health concerns
• Incumbents receive training in the range of duties described above. Direct supervision is provided by the Environmental Health Specialist 4 and work is reviewed on an ongoing basis. This is the entry level class in the series and progression to the next level may occur upon meeting the minimum qualifications and with the approval of the appointing authority
• Perform related duties as assigned
• Working knowledge of biology, chemistry, epidemiology, physics, and mathematics as applied to public health; the scientific method (observation, experimentation and conclusions) which is used in various investigations, such as foodborne illness outbreaks; sampling techniques to ensure quality control requirements are met (e.g., water and food samples)
• Ability to read and understand technical, legal and scientific documents; organize material, information and human resources in a systematic and logical way to optimize efficiency and minimize duplication of effort; work effectively with frequent interruptions and or distractions in such locations as construction sites, emergencies, packaging plants and milk plants; perform basic math to determine disinfection rates, design septic systems, and calculate fees; use a personal computer and associated software

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university which includes the satisfactory completion of at least 45 quarter hours, or 30 semester hours, of academic work in science courses, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, sanitary engineering or environmental engineering.

Professional Knowledge

• Working knowledge of biology, chemistry, epidemiology, physics, and mathematics as applied to public health; the scientific method (observation, experimentation and conclusions) which is used in various investigations, such as foodborne illness outbreaks; sampling techniques to ensure quality control requirements are met (e.g., water and food samples)

Abilities

• Read and understand technical, legal and scientific documents; organize material, information and human resources in a systematic and logical way to optimize efficiency and minimize duplication of effort; work effectively with frequent interruptions and or distractions in such locations as construction sites, emergencies, packaging plants and milk plants; perform basic math to determine disinfection rates, design septic systems, and calculate fees; use a personal computer and associated software.