Environmental Health Specialist - Food Protection Program

Island County; Coupeville (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Island County is seeking an Environmental Health professional to oversee the provision of Environmental Health services within the community, focusing on the Food Safety Program. The role involves coordinating inspections, enforcing health regulations, and guiding staff and businesses to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local rules.

You will prepare work plans, review applications, provide education, and report to agencies and the public.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in environmental science, public health, health science, biology or closely related field.
• Prior environmental health experience desirable.
• Training certificates may be required for functional skills.
• Registered Sanitarian (RS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site inspections and enforce health regulations.
• Review applications for new/remodeled food service establishments.
• Investigate environmental health complaints and initiate enforcement actions as needed.
• Provide health education and technical assistance to individuals or groups.
• Prepare and present reports and health advisories to agencies and the public.
• Gather and input Environmental Health data and coordinate with physicians, laboratories and patients.
• Monitor grant requirements relevant to the area of assignment.
• May require evening and/or weekend work and adjust hours as needed.
• Perform other duties as directed.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Time management

Policy interpretation

Public health knowledge

Education

Bachelor of Science in environmental science/public health or related field

RS or REHS desirable

Tools

Driver's license

Job description

Employee in this position is responsible for ensuring the provision of Environmental Health services within the community, primarily in the Food Safety Program; and monitoring and maintaining the Food Safety Program policies and procedures to ensure alignment with current federal, state and local rules and regulations.

• Acts as technical advisor to other departmental staff, local businesses, and associated agencies and departments.
• Coordinates and performs on-site inspections and code enforcement to ensure compliance with health regulations.
• Prepares, implements and monitors a variety of work plans. Reviews applications for new and/or remodeled food service establishments.
• Investigates complaints regarding environmental health problems and hazards, and initiates enforcement or corrective actions as required.
• Provides health education and technical assistance to individuals and/or groups regarding compliance with current local public health and environmental codes, regulations, and policies. Delivers targeted, culturally appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand local policies, regulations, and code.
• Oversees preparation and presentation of reports and health advisory information to other agencies, boards, and the public.
• Organizes and conducts training in task areas to interested parties. Coordinates information and projects with related agencies and the community.
• Gathers and inputs a wide range of Environmental Health data used in a management data base; investigates and consults with physicians, laboratories and patients; performs special studies as needed.
• Monitors and implements grant requirements relevant to the area of assignment.
• May require some evening and/or weekend work and adjustments to normal working hours as required to conduct inspections.
• Performs other tasks as directed

• Valid Washington State Driver's License.
• Familiarity with tools, instruments, equipment, and techniques commonly used in the performance of job duties.
• Maintains a high standard for accuracy, completeness and efficiency in the preparation of reports.
• Ability to quickly grasp new techniques, deal with rapid changes in events, remain calm in stressful situations and relate to various personality styles in a calm, professional manner.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others via oral, written, electronic or other formats for purposes of gathering and relating information.
• Understands the need for maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Independent and self-motivated to meet required deadlines while simultaneously completing other tasks.
• Familiarity with current trends and developments in the environmental health and sanitation field.

• Graduation from a four (4) year college or university with a Bachelor of Science Degree involving major study in environmental science, public health, health science, biology, or closely related field or an equivalent number of years’ experience in the same or a similar field.
• Prior experience in Environmental Health and/or biology desirable.
• Ability to successfully complete various required training classes and to obtain certificates necessary for functional skills performance, maintenance, and improvement.
• Registered Sanitarian (RS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) certificate desirable.

Applicants with a current Registered Sanitarian (RS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) certificate may be hired at the upper end of the pay range.

Island County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.