Position Description

Assists in promoting public health programs through education, consultation, inspection, and enforcement of public health rules and regulations in an internship capacity. An employee in this class works with an Environmental Health Specialist to help review and evaluate proposed and existing onsite wastewater systems and onsite wells. The employee may also assist with inspecting lodging, food-handling locations and like operations. This position is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extremely hot and cold temperatures, loud noise, and dust. The main purpose of this position is to gain experience and hands-on experience in the environmental health field. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Environmental Health Supervisor.

Responsibilites

Evaluates, designs, and reviews onsite wastewater septic systems.
Conducts on-site inspections for the determination of acceptable conditions for the issuance of improvement permits and installation of septic tank sewage disposal systems.
Evaluates topography and landscape position, soil characteristics, soil drainage, soil depth, restrictive horizons, and available space in determining suitability.
Assists with issuing permits when requirements are met.
Evaluates and designs permit layouts to repair existing systems.
Evaluates individual lots, areas for development as potential subdivision, mobile home parks, business, or industrial site.
Evaluates proposed well sites, inspects well heads, and inspects the construction of wells in accordance with laws and regulations.
Performs in-office administrative duties including making and receiving business calls, completes required reports, reviews correspondence, laws, and ordinances.
Conducts inspections for new and existing systems.
Assists with inspecting lodging, food-handling establishments, tattoo artist/parlors, and other operations under the purview of the FLI program.
Investigates public health violations.
Collects various water samples of new and existing wells for testing; and provides health risk evaluations of the test results from the state lab.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Working knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as an understanding of the concepts of public health law.
Practical knowledge of microbiology, biology, chemistry, food science, epidemiologist, soil science, entomology, and basic engineering technology as applied to environmental health.
General knowledge of the responsibilities of agencies related to environmental health.
Knowledge of the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems, protection of water supplies, food sanitation, food borne diseases, communicable diseases, vector control, solid waste management, and institutional sanitation.
Knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques.
Ability to analyze and comprehend a wide variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports.
Ability to independently plan and schedule work activities.
Ability to develop and express ideas and opinions concisely, comprehensively, and clearly in oral and written form.
Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with public and private groups.
General knowledge of computer skills as well as the ability to use Microsoft Office and specialized environmental health systems.

Required Minimum Education / Experience

Graduation from high school and course work towards a bachelor’s degree in an environmental health related field from Western Carolina University, Eastern Carolina University, or NC Central University.
Applied work experience, project experience, or volunteer experience with environmental health and safety programs is preferred.
Possession of a valid NC driver’s license is required.

Alexander County DSS

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Environmental Health Intern