Environmental Health Specialist I/II

El Paso County; Colorado; On-site; USD 63,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

El Paso County Public Health seeks an Environmental Health Specialist I to inspect restaurants and regulated facilities, investigate complaints, educate businesses, and promote health standards in the Pikes Peak Region.

The role progresses to Environmental Health Specialist II with lead opportunities, requires in-person presence, and may involve occasional travel. It offers meaningful public service and a clear career path in environmental health.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Experience in environmental health or public health inspections is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections of restaurants and other regulated facilities.
• Collect environmental health-related samples.
• Educate owners, operators, and the public on health regulations.
• Prepare written and verbal reports and maintain records.

Skills

Public health inspections

Communication skills

Data entry

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

VISION

El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery.

PURPOSE

We provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of our residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive.

VALUES

Service Focused Collaborative Accountable Trustworthy Transparent

Job Summary

Protect Public Health. Serve Your Community. Build Your Career

Join El Paso County Public Health as an Environmental Health Specialist and help protect the health and safety of our community. This rewarding role within the Retail Food Establishment Program offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through inspections, investigations, education, and outreach.

In this position, you will:

• Conduct inspections of restaurants and other regulated facilities


• Investigate complaints and foodborne illness outbreaks


• Educate businesses and the public on health and safety regulations


• Promote compliance with public health standards


• Support community outreach and health protection efforts

Grow Your Career

This role offers a clear career progression path, starting as an Environmental Health Specialist I, advancing to Environmental Health Specialist II, and ultimately providing the opportunity to move into a Lead Environmental Health Specialist position. Along the way, you will build deep expertise in environmental health, public education, and regulatory compliance.

If you're passionate about public health, enjoy working with people, and want to make a meaningful difference in your community, apply today and help create a healthier El Paso County.

Environmental Health Specialist I
Full Salary Range: $55,370.00 - $ 80,410.00 annually
Hiring Range: $ 62,801.00 - $ 65,801.00 annually

Environmental Health Specialist II
Full Salary Range: $59,380.00 - $89,050.00 Annually
Hiring Range: $66,801.00 - $70,801.00 Annually

Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm or 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, with occasional travel

Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.

Provides environmental health inspections and investigations of public and private establishments and other environmental health related situations to ensure compliance with local and state health and safety codes. Serves as a public and environmental health educator; provides information and performs specialized environmental health work. This position is part of the Environmental Health Specialist career progression series, which includes Environmental Health Specialist I and Environmental Health Specialist II. An employee is eligible to advance to the next position within the series when the employee has met the criteria for advancement as notated within the job description and has received a recommendation from the Hiring Authority. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function. This position may be dependent on variable funding sources, including categorical grants.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Conducts inspections of industrial, commercial, public, or private facilities to ensure continued compliance with public health standards. Notifies owners or operators of deficiencies or violations; maintains records of contacts made and conditions encountered. Performs data entry of inspection results and reports findings to appropriate parties.


• Collects environmental health-related samples such as food, air, water, or vectors.


• Monitors environmental interfaces of animal to human diseases.


• Reviews design plans for the construction of on-site wastewater treatment systems and inspects sites throughout installation process as assigned; reviews soil and site classifications and approves/disapproves results submitted.


• Educates owners, operators, and the public on environmental health issues and regulations.


• Prepares written and verbal reports. Enters findings, including daily activities, into electronic database.


• Conducts pre-operational inspections for regulated facilities. Investigates routine and non-routine complaints. Provides follow-up action.


• Obtains compliance with public health laws and regulations through administrative enforcement procedures. Works with the Division Leadership to expedite enforcement action.


• Participates in committees related to program activities and responsibilities.


• Participates in community outreach and news media/social media activities to promote health protection and understanding and support of environmental health programs.


• Participates in departmental emergency planning and response activities.


• Promotes public health within the community.


• Takes personal responsibility to provide exceptional customer service in order to promote and maintain a positive Public Health image, constructive working environment, and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.


• Performs other duties as required.

Environmental Specialist II:

• Assist in presenting educational material regarding environmental health to industry owners, operators, and facilities.


• Conducts and coordinates plan reviews and pre-operational inspections for regulated facilities.


• Investigates routine and non-routine complaints. Provides follow-up action.


• Obtains compliance with public health laws and regulations through administrative enforcement procedures. Works with Program Manager to expedite enforcement action.


• Assists in the preparation of legal documents for administrative hearings and further legal action against repeat violators.


• Participates in subprogram assignments, such as food borne illness investigations.


• Provides support to the Division Leadership for projects, grant opportunities, and other matters pertaining to the Division.


• Engages in specialized programs, projects, and research in environmental health science.


• Assists in training/mentoring other staff members as assigned.

Supervision Exercised:

This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.

Supervision Received:

Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of principles, techniques, practices, and procedures as related to environmental health.


• Knowledge, understanding, and compliance of El Paso County and agency policies and procedures.


• Skill in prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks and the ability to complete projects in a timely manner.


• Ability to learn environmental rules, regulations, and statutes.


• Ability to exercise professionalism, tact, and courtesy in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, outside agencies, and the public. Ability to provide excellent customer service.


• Ability to respond in a flexible manner and reprioritize work as situations change.


• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.


• Ability to identify problems and work creatively to resolve them, considering the impact of actions.


• Ability to write clearly and concisely and maintain accurate records and reports to meet management objectives.


• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.


• Ability to perform under pressure and when confronted with persons acting under stress.


• Ability to travel using own transportation on a daily basis.


• Ability to identify potential problems, develop and recommend corrective actions and assess the resulting effort to correct problems.


• Ability to maintain the security of sensitive and confidential information.


• Proficiency in using a computer and various software packages, including Microsoft Office, and performing accurate data entry.


• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent education.

Environmental Specialist II:

• Two years of experience in governmental environmental health, an environmental health related field or work with governmental compliance, including conducting inspections or investigations.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree.


• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, including reading, writing, speaking, and translation.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.


• Relevant certifications to assigned program preferred.


• For retail food establishment program:




• FDA Food Code-compliant Standardization Certificate for Retail Food Establishment preferred.




• For other Environmental Health Programs:




• Relative certifications or successful completion of program specific training preferred.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.

Work Conditions

Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and terrain. Travel is required; work may be assigned in various locations. Position is subject to call-out 24 hours per day 7 days per week. May be required to climb ladders and climb into and out of trenches and other excavations. Work environment may contain potential exposure to hazardous conditions including but not limited to electrical, chemical and biological. Public Health employees are responsible for providing proof of vaccinations and/or tuberculosis testing as applicable to the specific position and must provide proof of completion of required vaccinations/testing or proof of initiation within sixty days of hire date.

The classification specification above is intended to describe the general nature of work, key responsibilities, and minimum qualifications. Minimum qualifications reflect the baseline experience required for the classification. Departments may establish additional or preferred qualifications to address operational needs, assignment complexity, and specialized functions, provided such qualifications are job-related, consistent with the intent of the classification, and as approved by the Human Resources department. Specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and working conditions may vary based on the department or office's needs and the requirements of the assigned position. Changes to this classification specification may only be made by the Human Resources Department.

El Paso County is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer.

El Paso County adheres to Federal drug screening guidelines and requires a pre-employment drug screen.