Position Description

Under direction, the position will perform work in environmental health programs to protect the community through standardized enforcement of regulations and professional consultation as well as conduct general environmental tasks to support the division.

Scope of Responsibility:
The position is responsible for the quality and accuracy of their own work. Work is performed independently under general supervision. Incumbent will specialize in specific environmental areas and will be responsible for the care and safe operation of equipment.

Primary Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Communicates courteously and professionally to maintain working relationships.
1. Frequently interacts with others within the division, the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information.
2. Interaction with the public, vendors/ community partners or across departments occasionally includes negotiations, collaborative work, and professional guidance to achieve a basic work-related objective.
Responds to Public Health Emergencies.
1. Has a working knowledge of the National Incident Management System for emergency preparedness and has completed the courses required for their job.
2. Fulfills roles within the Department’s Emergency Operations Plan as determined by Emergency Preparedness and Management staff.
3. During an actual emergency, is accessible 24/7 with an established family contingency plan in place.
Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
1. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss.
2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work.
3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
Plans, prioritizes, and documents work activities.
1. Schedules daily activities according to mandatory minimum requirements, and applies judgement to prioritize unplanned activities.
Conducts mandated evaluation of all Massage Therapy Establishments. Performs investigative and consultative inspections as well as plan reviews for new construction.
1. Administers program licensing requirements;
2. Conducts routine inspections to enforce program requirements;
3. Promotes compliance with regulations through education.
4. Seeks guidance from EHP staff as needed.
Performs environmental water quality testing and/or sampling procedures to support the operational standards for Recreational Aquatic Facilities. Water testing and onsite data are collected at periodic intervals determined by the health department.
1. Perform required onsite testing and record applicable results.
2. Collects environmental water sample laboratory specimen(s), if directed by Environmental Health Practitioner and/or the Director of Environmental Health.
3. Interprets analytical results, as well as safety conditions, using standard protocols to inform Environmental Health Practitioners and/or the Director of unsatisfactory conditions.
4. Takes action to immediately close a pool that is not within required parameters.
Serves as an alternate to perform onsite testing and collection of water samples to verify compliance with the EPA Clean Drinking Water Act.
1. Perform required onsite testing and record applicable results.
2. Obtains environmental water sample laboratory specimen(s).
Performs onsite testing to verify compliance with soft serve freezing/dispensing regulations.
1. Conduct onsite testing according to Environmental Health policy.
2. Record all applicable laboratory information required for the sampling procedure.
3. Interpret analytical results using standard protocols to inform the Environmental Health Practitioners and/or the Director of unsatisfactory conditions.
Serves as the primary contact to resolve environmental nuisance complaints.
1. Ensure compliance with City of Fargo ordinance parameters.
2. Coordinates appropriate action with the Director of Environmental Health, Environmental Health Practitioners, and/or the City of Fargo attorney’s office.
Monitors sampling equipment and supplies and performs routine cleaning sampling equipment as recommended by the manufacturer.
Maintains various records and prepares reports for management review to ensure compliance with regulations and guidelines.
Prepares and maintains data, reports, and archives in accordance with local guidelines and requirements.
Performs other duties and activities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

This position requires, at a minimum, an Associate’s Degree in an Environmental Health related field. It also requires a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, skills, and ability include:

Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental health laws and regulations;
Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of code inspections;
Knowledge of the principles and concepts of chemistry and mathematics;
Knowledge of environmental and related testing under various regulations;
Knowledge of general office practices and procedures;
Skill in communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc., sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction in a professional, productive manner;
Skill in written English sufficient to read and interpret complex policies, regulations, procedures, and technical information and reports;
Ability to learn complex computer applications specific to field work;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.

Physical Demands

Work is performed in both a normal office environment and in a variety of business, residential, commercial, and public settings. Work is also performed in the field collecting environmental samples or assisting with environmental complaints. There is considerable attention to detail and deadlines. Work is generally light involving lifting of lab supplies and unpacking and storing lab supplies. Daily work often involves traveling from site to site to collect the environmental samples and/or assisting with environmental nuisance complaints.

Activities include stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, digital dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions.

Light Work: Physical demands are normally those associated with light work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Frequent driving is required to perform onsite testing activities. Frequent standing and crouching is involved in performing daily responsibilities. Occasionally works outside to perform pool water testing. (Environmental component)

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.

City of Fargo

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Environmental Health Associate