Description

The Environmental Health Manager is responsible for the oversight of Environmental Health staff and programs in the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD). The Environmental Health (EH) Division assures the safety and protection of county residents from environmental health hazards by overseeing on-site sewage, drinking water, food safety, solid waste, and other EH programs, as well as working closely with Community Development Services, Solid Waste, and Public Works departments to ensure a smooth permitting process in the county.

Examples of Duties

Personnel Management

Plan, assign, and supervise the daily workload of staff.
Manage employee work schedules, approve timecards and leave requests.
Train and coach new employees in the development of goals, objectives, and performance measures.
Ensure safety procedures are followed at all times.
Assist in the recruitment process of new and vacant positions.
Develop and conduct performance evaluations with assigned staff.
Document, initiate, and implement performance improvement and disciplinary actions under the direction of the Public Health Director.
Resolve issues and conflicts as they arise.

Management and Oversight of the Environmental Health (EH) Division Programs.

Meet regularly with the KCPHD management team and provide support and leadership to departmental planning, budgeting, problem-solving and quality improvement.
Provide management and oversight of the EH budget, especially grants.
Assist with the development of fees for services in a cost recovery model.
Provide leadership to EH staff in the development of goals, objectives, performance measures, and quality improvement strategies for all EH programs.
Conduct regular EH staff meetings and keep EH staff updated on departmental and regulatory issues.
Evaluate effectiveness of programs including completion of program audits.
Ensure staff accomplishes legal and policy goals and are operating within the boundaries of the appropriate regulations within their programs.
Provide leadership with the development and implementation of EH program policies and standard operating procedures for all EH programs including enforcement protocols.
Draft appropriate documents for the Board of Health and Board of County Commissioners as directed by the Director.
Interact with the Board of Health and Board of County Commissioners including email, phone and presentations at meetings and agenda sessions as directed by the Director.
Develop a thorough understanding of the local and state regulations relative to each environmental health program.
Review and approve staff-related actions which are alternatives to standard operating procedures.
Review staff actions for technical accuracy/consistency with goals.
Develop and manage the Environmental Health section of the Public Health Department website.
Ensure a technically competent workforce including maintenance of required program specific staff certifications and training.
Represent the agency at state and local meetings as needed.
Through direction from the Director, develop agency positions on issues, collaborate to determine the response of the agency to any policy or procedural matter at the state or local level, and draft agency responses to local EH issues and statewide EH proposals.
Provide feedback to local and statewide groups of environmentally sound policies, actions, and positions.
Be able to serve as back up and provide staff support for program activities.
Be able to participate in program-level work as needed.
Participate in the management of environmental health-related emergencies.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Assist the Public Health Department as needed in the event of other public health emergencies (i.e., food borne illness outbreak, bioterrorism event, etc.).
Participate in special projects as assigned.

All positions within the Public Health Department will assist as needed in the event of a public health emergency.

This job description is a summary of the primary functions and expectations for this position. Additional department-related duties may be assigned as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED.
Bachelor of Science degree in environmental health, public health, or closely related field.
At least five (5) years of previous work experience in public health or another governmental agency regulating environmental health or similar functions.
Demonstrated experience managing staff and operational functions.
An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary to perform the work required may substitute for the minimum qualifications above, at the discretion of the Public Health Director.
Must possess or be able to obtain within one (1) year of hire the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians, Registered Sanitarian Certification or National Environmental Health Association, Registered Environmental Health Specialist Certification.
Valid and active Driver’s License.
Ability to obtain National Incident Management System training courses 100, 200, and 700 within one (1) year of hire and 800 and 300 within two (2) years of hire.
Ability to obtain National Incident Management System training AWR 922-W Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response within one (1) year of hire.
Ability to obtain the Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response Operations (EHTEROPS) Certification within three (3) years of hire, subject to course availability. Must document immunity or provide proof of vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases as recommended for health care workers by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices OR must be willing to undergo the necessary vaccinations through the Public Health Department; OR must sign a waiver to decline to receive vaccines based on documented medical or religious reasons.
A criminal history and background check will be performed on qualified applicants. Convictions may preclude candidates from employment in certain circumstances. Factors such as seriousness of the conduct, number of convictions, the place and manner in which the position will be performed, and any verifiable information related to the candidate’s rehabilitation, good conduct, work experience, education, and training will be taken into consideration.

Supplemental Information

Work is generally performed in an office environment but may include other environments; sustained posture in a seated position and prolonged periods of computer operation; use of standard office equipment; strength to lift, pull, push and/or carry up to 25 pounds; ability to sit, stand, walk, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, twist, grasp, and reach with arms and legs; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate clearly in person or over the telephone. Periodic duties may require performance in a variety of office settings, outdoors, or in vehicles. Employees must be able to work onsite in the Kittitas County Public Health Department, however hybrid work options may be available on a case-by-case basis upon approval from the Public Health Director. This position may encounter upset and occasionally verbally abusive citizens. The employee must be able to manage assigned responsibilities with competing demands, changing priorities and frequent interruptions. Must be able to work independently and maintain a positive working relationship with others.
Work in outdoor environments may include exposure to inclement weather such as temperature extremes and windy/dusty conditions; must be able to traverse a variety of walking surfaces as needed, including stairs. Safety rules and policies must be adhered to at all times, including proper lifting/carrying techniques and use of PPE when required.

Travel throughout the County and local region may be required to perform the essential functions of the position as well as attend meetings and/or training opportunities. Must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle in all weather conditions and levels of daylight. Employee may be required to utilize their private vehicle in the performance of job duties but will be reimbursed for mileage.

The work schedule is generally maintained during normal office hours; however, exempt/management positions are expected to work the number of hours required to complete the duties of the position, which could include evenings and weekends. Regular and reliable attendance and punctuality are required.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Kittitas County is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Kittitas County does not discriminate against any employee on the basis of protected class status. All employees will be recruited, selected, trained, promoted, compensated, and if appropriate, disciplined or terminated without regard to race, color, religion or creed, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age (over 40), marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation or gender identity, veteran status, use of a guide or service animal, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability (unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification).

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Environmental Health Manager