Environmentalist - Childhood Lead (Health Services)

Shelby County TN; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Shelby County TN seeks an Environmental Health Specialist to support a Healthy Homes grant-funded program. You will inspect homes for safety hazards, asthma triggers, and lead risks, and engage community partners to enroll participants in the grant initiative.

Responsibilities include coordinating with owners and contractors, performing assessments, and contributing to program evaluation and improvement efforts.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in the environmental health field or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, chemical, or environmental health sciences or related field, or equivalent combo.
• Proof of education, training, and/or experience required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Healthy Homes inspections to identify safety hazards, asthma triggers, and lead risks.
• Perform visual assessments and sampling to determine sources of indoor allergens and suggest reduction strategies.
• Educate parents/guardians on lead hazards, prevention, and environmental health practices.
• Recommend corrective actions to address asthma triggers, pests, safety concerns, and lead hazards.
• Assist with community outreach and training on cleaning and healthy home practices.
• Collaborate with program staff, contractors, owners, and partners to support goals and compliance.

Skills

Environmental health knowledge

Regulatory interpretation

Communication

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental health sciences or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Position Summary

This position is funded by a grant for a duration of time as defined by the grantor.

This position works under the direction of the supervisor for developing collaborative efforts with community-based partners aimed at reducing the impact of unhealthy housing in the community. Establishes relationships with organizations that serve the target population, focuses on activities that will encourage the enrollment of participants into the healthy homes demonstration grant, and maintains enrollee's involvement in the healthy homes grant.

Pay Grade: 47

Salary Commensurate with Experience and Education

Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience in the environmental health field; AND
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in physical, biological, chemical, or environmental health sciences or a closely related field; OR
• An equivalent combination of related education and/or experience.
• PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts Healthy Homes inspections and assessments to identify safety hazards, asthma triggers, and lead risks.
• Performs visual assessments and sampling to determine sources of indoor allergens and recommends appropriate reduction strategies.
• Provides education to parents or guardians on lead poisoning hazards, prevention, and environmental health practices.
• Recommends corrective actions to property owners to address asthma triggers, pest infiltration, safety concerns, and lead hazards.
• Assists with community outreach and training on specialized cleaning and healthy home practices.
• Collaborates with program staff, contractors, property owners, and community partners to support program goals and compliance efforts.
• Maintains contractor evaluations and monitors work quality related to housing remediation activities.
• Prepares activity reports, participates in team meetings, and contributes to program evaluation and improvement efforts.
• Supports program enrollment and housing production activities, including community outreach and participation in events.
• Assists staff in obtaining documentation to determine client eligibility for rehabilitation assistance and mediates issues between tenants and property owners during project implementation.
• Performs other related duties as required or directed.

KSAs

• Knowledge of environmental health principles, including chemistry, biology, and community health as applied to environmental inspections and compliance.
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations governing permitted establishments and environmental health practices.
• Ability to interpret regulations, identify violations, and clearly explain findings and enforcement actions to operators.
• Ability to plan and organize daily inspection schedules and travel routes efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, operators, and community members.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing with diverse audiences.
• Proficiency knowledge in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and County software applications.

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid Tennessee driver's license or secure one by date of employment.
• Must have access to an operable automobile and meet County requirements of automobile insurance upon date of employment.
• Must be able to occasionally work weekends, altered days or hours as needed.
• Must successfully complete Healthy Homes Certification courses within 6 months of employment.
• Valid Lead Risk Assessor license at time of employment or must obtain such within six (6) months of date of employment.
• Certification in nationally recognized Home Inspection Course within six (6) months of employment.
• Must maintain all required licenses and certifications throughout the duration of employment.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stoop, squat, crawl, and perform other physical duties as needed to investigate environmental health complaints as needed.
• Must be able to lift or pull up to 35 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to work in all types of weather.
• Must successfully pass a physical assessment.

Disclaimer

This position is subject to a background check for any convictions that have a substantial relationship to potential job duties. Only convictions that are substantially related to potential job duties will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Shelby County Resident Disclaimer

All employees hired after September 1, 1986, must be residents of Shelby County and shall continue to reside in the County as a condition of their employment. The residency requirement shall not apply to certain public safety/civil service employees. This means exemption from this policy is in effect for the following departments and positions: (1) Sheriff Deputy Patrol Officers, Deputy Jailers and Dispatchers, employed by the Sheriff Department, (2) Correction Officers employed by the Divisio