Environmental Health Specialist - Yard Waste

Ramsey County; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ramsey County is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist – Yard Waste to support seven Yard Waste sites, part of the Solid Waste Operations team within the Environmental Health Division. You will blend customer service, on-site operations, program coordination, field inspections, public education, regulatory compliance, and cross-facility communication.

The role involves ensuring compliance with environmental health laws, educating the public, and planning, implementing, and enforcing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required as listed in the job posting.
• Experience requirements: None stated; substitution allowed.
• Must have a valid driver’s license as a licensure requirement.

Responsibilities

• Regularly inspect solid waste facilities, hazardous waste sites, and related operations to ensure compliance with county ordinances, state rules and federal regulations.
• Inspect food establishments, lodging facilities, pools, and water supplies; document compliance or initiate enforcement actions when needed.
• Conduct home inspections for hazards (lead, mercury, radon) and perform risk assessments related to childhood lead poisoning.
• Coordinate yard waste and household hazardous waste management programs; schedule monitors and oversee site maintenance.

Skills

Customer service

Field inspections

Public education

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental health, physical, or biological sciences, or related social sciences, natural sciences, or formal sciences.

Job description

The current vacancy is in the Environmental Health Division. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department.

The Environmental Health Specialist – Yard Waste position supports Ramsey County’s seven Yard Waste sites as part of the Solid Waste Operations team within the Environmental Health Division. This team manages the County’s yard waste, municipal food scrap collection, and internal waste and recycling programs. This role combines customer service, on-site operations, program coordination, field inspections, public education & communication, regulatory compliance, and cross-facility communication.

To perform a full range of duties relating to environmental health, including ensuring compliance with applicable laws, community education, and the planning, implementation, and enforcement of environmental health programs; and to perform related duties as assigned.

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this job, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list of job descriptions.

1. Regularly inspect and assist team members with solid waste management facilities or the sites of hazardous waste generators or facilities for compliance with Ramsey County ordinances, State rules and law, and Federal regulations and law; review management plans, take samples, analyze results, and document findings; gather evidence, such as photographs and samples, to document violations; if unable to gain voluntary compliance, prepare case for legal action, and initiate enforcement action; perform reviews of facility plans and specifications prior to and during construction and/or remodeling; issue new permits/licenses or renew existing ones, if appropriate.
2. Conduct inspections and assist team members of food establishments, lodging facilities, swimming pools, manufactured home parks, children’s camps, and public and private water supplies to ensure compliance with public health and environmental laws and regulations. Document compliance and if unable to gain voluntary compliance, prepare case for legal action and initiate enforcement action. Investigate public health nuisance complaints. Conduct plan reviews for new and remodeled establishments deciding when establishments may go into business.
3. Conduct home inspections for hazards such as lead, mercury, radon, asthma triggers and perform risk assessments related to childhood lead poisoning.
4. Maintain and update Ramsey County Dump site inventory; provide technical data concerning dumpsites as requested by consultants and the public for environmental reviews.
5. Monitor solid waste haulers’ compliance with the County Environmental Charge (CEC); review data submittals; prepare reports on CEC; coordinate work with the Office of Budgeting and Accounting and Washington County, and initiate enforcement actions if needed.
6. Provide technical assistance to public and private entities inspected and discuss with them any changes that are necessary to be in compliance with County ordinances and State and Federal law; plan, design and conduct training sessions and educational seminars for public and private entities on requirements, regulations, and methods of compliance.
7. Assist in developing and maintaining Ramsey County's environmental health programs and related policies by gathering information, conducting research and analysis, reviewing technical reports, conferring with other environmental health professionals, industry officials, and regulatory agencies, and by analyzing legal requirements.
8. Assist in coordinating Ramsey County's yard waste management and household hazardous waste management programs by scheduling yard waste monitors, monitoring vendor performance, managing program data and reports, overseeing the maintenance of sites; ensuring that yard waste and household hazardous waste sites are in compliance with solid waste and zoning laws and regulations.
9. Conduct public education programs on environmental health issues for community groups and schools; respond to inquiries from the public relating to environmental health laws or issues.
10. Investigate complaints, document conditions, and write written orders from the public concerning hazardous waste violations, solid waste violations, lead, mercury, radon, public health nuisances or clandestine drug labs, and take appropriate action.
11. Investigate foodborne and waterborne illness complaints and outbreaks. Work with epidemiologists to investigate and halt the spread of disease in the community.
12. Share information with other public health agencies and regulatory agencies and works together with them on joint projects, such as the coordination of community training activities.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. (Essential functions may vary based on the specific role)

For positions in non-regulatory environmental health programs:

Education:

Bachelor's degree in environmental health, physical, or biological sciences, or related social sciences, natural sciences, or formal sciences.

Experience:

None

Substitution:

Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications/Licensure:

A valid drivers’ license.

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:

• Training and Experience Rating = 100%

The Training & Experience Rating will be based on the supplemental questionnaire that you need to complete as part of your application. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training & experience rating. Please be sure to be complete in your answers and do not mark "see resume" or "see work history". Failure to clearly and completely outline your training & experience could adversely affect your rank on the eligible list for this classification.

Eligible List: The names of all applicants who pass the examination/screening process and file a properly completed application shall be placed on the eligible list for employment as an Environmental Health Specialist. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for 90 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been certified and their status.

Veterans' Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veterans' Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

In addition, you may be subject to one or more of the following: In addition you will be subject to a pre-employment health screening.

E-Verify Participation Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer. Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact [e-mail]