Sanitarian I - Land and Water

Ingham County; Lansing (MI); Sur place; USD 52 000 - 76 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Ingham County is seeking an Environmental Health Inspector to enforce federal, state, and county sanitation laws across commercial, residential, and public facilities. The role includes inspecting facilities, processing permits, and responding to complaints to safeguard community health.

The position is entry-level with a six-month break-in period, requiring a valid Michigan driver’s license and strong communication skills to engage with the public and regulated entities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health or a related field is required.
• Entry-level position; six months break-in period.
• Valid Michigan driver’s license required.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills in interacting with the public and staff.

Responsabilités

• Inspect commercial, residential, and public locations to enforce health codes.
• Investigate complaints regarding sanitation and environmental health matters.
• Educate food service operators on safe practices and compliance.
• Review permits for on-site wastewater systems and water wells.
• Assist the public with questions and provide guidance on health regulations.
• Prepare inspection reports and assist in abatement actions when necessary.
• Coordinate with state agencies to address environmental health issues.

Connaissances

Effective communication

Field inspections

Formation

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health or related field

Outils

Computer literacy

Description du poste

Under the supervision of an Environmental Health Programs Supervisor, inspects commercial, residential, and public locations in the County to enforce federal, state and County sanitation and environmental health laws to safeguard the public health. Investigates complaints of violations of environmental health laws and assists the public with complaints and questions regarding sanitation and environmental health matters.

1. Inspects and determines eligibility for required licenses and permits to operate food service establishments, food vending machines, Type II public water supplies, public swimming pools, mobile home parks, campgrounds, waste disposal sites, child care institutions, tattoo facilities, and other businesses. Orders the correction of deficiencies and conducts follow-up inspections to verify compliance with corrective orders.
2. Educates food service managers by reviewing menus and discussing pertinent and critical points and ways to apply them, implementing consumer advisories as indicated, reviewing employee hygiene policies, determining the level of food service knowledge of people in charge, determining if a facility serves highly susceptible populations and restricting menus accordingly, and presenting food service sanitation classes periodic.
3. Consults with applicants for permits to construct on-site wastewater treatment (septic tank) systems. Evaluates soil types and other site conditions for workable waste water absorption facility and authorizes or denies permits. Designs systems when issuing permit and inspects during or after construction for compliance with permit requirements and Sanitary Code provisions.
4. Assists the general public in the office or by telephone with their complaints and questions regarding sanitation and environmental health matters. Gives advice on the prevention and resolution of problem matters and responds to complaints regarding potential environmental concerns.
5. Evaluates sites to determine suitability for water well development. Authorizes or denies permits for well drilling, consults on requirements for plugging abandoned wells, samples well water, and interprets laboratory analysis.
6. Evaluates existing wells and on-site sewage treatment systems prior to sale. Recommends corrective procedures or repairs, consults on reconstruction of defective or failing systems, and certifies findings to lending agency or institution.
7. Makes site visits to facilities that store, handle, use, transport, or dispose of hazardous or potentially polluting materials. Makes recommendations for compliance with appropriate hazardous material handling requirements.
8. Assists citizens and industries in the proper handling of hazardous and potentially polluting materials.
9. Inspects public swimming pools during operation, measures certain chemical properties of water, and evaluates health and safety protection of swimmers. May recommend closure or reopening when conditions warrant. Inspects and samples public bathing beaches.
10. Submits pertinent reports on inspection activities and recommends action in cases where violations of health related laws or regulations have occurred. May participate as a witness in court cases.
11. Examines plans and specifications for new construction or remodeling of licensed establishments for adherence to environmental health standards such as detailed calculations of ventilation equipment designs.
12. Investigates outbreaks of food-borne disease to determine causative factors and sources of infection. Initiates actions to minimize recurrence.
13. Investigates complaints involving environmental health hazards or nuisances, and initiates actions to abate or prevent such conditions. Consults with individuals, citizen groups, and agencies regarding prevention of health hazards.
14. Coordinates efforts with other units of government in evaluating conditions or processing abatement orders such as condemnation and vacating of substandard properties. Works with various state agencies such as the Michigan Departments of Community Health, Environmental Quality, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and others to jointly resolve environmental and public health problems.
15. Coordinates work with other units of government to maintain emergency preparedness and serves as the information coordinator for the Local Emergency Planning Committee, SARA, Title III, and the Ingham County Hazmat Team.

In the Disease Control Division

• Performs primary lead poisoning prevention services, hazard screenings and assessments, and follow-ups.
• Conducts environmental health investigations regarding children with elevated blood lead levels.
• Provides education to families regarding lead poisoning and prevention.
• Conveys findings and results to families, rental property owners, Public Health Nurses, Lead Poisoning Program Coordinator, and others else on a need to know basis.
• Prepares lead inspection and hazard screen reports.
• Coordinates a schedule for hepa-vacuum loans.
• Corresponds with other agencies regarding home inspections.
• Participates on local and state committees regarding lead poisoning.
• Updates forms, reports, and questionnaires as necessary.
• Distributes pamphlets and brochures at local health fairs.

Other Functions

During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to but not limited to those in his/her job description.

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employees may be expected to perform.)

Education

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health or a related field.

Experience

This is an entry level position within the field of Environmental Health. No previous experience is required. Six months break-in period.

Other Requirements

Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license.

Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with all individuals to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Physical Requirements

• Walking over uneven terrain to inspect proposed subdivisions, campgrounds, and building sites.
• Climbing up and down ladders to gain access to heating and ventilation system.
• Uses shovels and hand augers to excavate soil and hooks to remove septic tank lids.
• Climbing up and down ladders to enter basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
• Crawling in crawl spaces and under houses to inspect plumbing and well construction.
• Bends, stoops, and kneels to inspect food service establishments, sewage treatment systems, water well construction sites, and other locations.
• Ability to travel throughout the county to conduct inspections.
• Ability to enter and access information using a computer.
• Ability to carry and use inspection equipment such as computers, printers, shovels, and hand augers weighing up to 30 lbs.

[This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.]

Working Conditions

• Works outside in various types of weather conditions.
• Exposure to environmental hazards during course of investigations.
• Handles household hazardous waste materials.
• Works with hostile individuals during the course of investigative/enforcement functions.