General Statement of Duties

surveillance, consultation, inspection, and enforcement of state, local, and federal environmental health laws and regulations. Employees may work as generalists with responsibility in a variety of environmental health programs, or as specialists with the majority of time spent in a single program area with some additional responsibility in other programs. Work may include coordinating the work and training of technicians, and assisting in the training of new Environmental Health Program Specialists. Employees typically consult with Environmental Health Program Specialists, Environmental Health Program Coordinator, or supervisors on more complex issues.

I. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:
Variety and Scope- Employees are involved in educating the general public on environmental matters, inspecting, providing advice on the correction of environmental problems, and enforcing state, local, and federal laws relating to the environment in several distinct environmental programs.
Intricacy- Problems encountered, while varying from program to program, are similar in nature. However, the characteristics of individual problems differ requiring analysis of varying data, the determination of several courses of action, and the weighing of the effects of alternatives.
Subject Matter Complexity- Work requires a complete knowledge of state, local, and federal environmental health laws and regulations, as well as procedures utilized in enforcing these laws and regulations. Work requires a general knowledge of a variety of material and physical sciences as a basis for enforcement, education, and consultation roles.
Guidelines- Standards, guidelines, and rules are available and applicable in most areas of program activity.

Essential Duties and Tasks

Nature of Instruction- Employees function relatively independent of supervision and plan short-term work schedules. Instructions are usually general in nature except in unusual circumstances involving the most complex and/or controversial issues and where the probability of legal action exists.
Nature of Review- Work receives limited technical review which is usually accomplished after the work is completed. Administrative review is provided on a regular basis to ensure that administrative policies, procedures, and practices are being followed.
Scope of Decisions- Decisions have a direct effect on the health of individuals or groups of people. Decisions have financial impact on business, property owners, and contractors.
Consequences of Decisions- Improper actions and decisions could result in the development of unhealthy environmental conditions which could cause poisoning or the spread of communicable diseases. Decisions made during inspections could cause financial loss to businessmen through disruption of their operations. Decisions regarding waste disposal could cause financial loss to homeowners or developers through the delay or curtailment of construction.
III. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Scope of Contracts- Employees have frequent contacts with local and state officials, contractors, developers, attorneys, the general public, property owners, owners, and managers of a variety of businesses and institutions, and local interest groups.

Nature and Purpose- Employees explain, interpret, justify, and obtain compliance with various laws and rules. Education, persuasion, and defending controversial and/or unpopular decisions are activities typically present.
IV. OTHER WORK DEMANDS:
Work Conditions- Working conditions are typical of those encountered in most indoor/outdoor activities with the additional consideration of exposure to inclement weather, difficult terrain, or filth. Employees may have contact with antagonistic and/or uncooperative members of the general public, and decisions rendered in some cases result in considerable emotional stress.
Hazards- Employees may be exposed to moving machinery, hot grease, or communicable diseases which may result in some loss time.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

Working knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as a complete understanding of the concepts of public heath law. Practical knowledge of microbiology, biology, chemistry, food science, epidemiology, soil science, entomology, and basic engineering technology as applied to environmental health practices. General knowledge of community resources. Working knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies involved in environmental health work. Working knowledge of the interrelationship between socio-economic factors and environmental health concerns. Working knowledge of the design of on-site waste water treatment systems, food sanitation, food borne diseases, communicable diseases, vector control, protection of water supplies, solid waste management, and institutional sanitation. Working knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques as applied in environmental health. Ability to analyze and comprehend a wide variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports. Ability to exercise sound judgement and deal tactfully with a wide range of public contracts while enforcing public health laws and regulations. Ability to motivate and educate business and property owners and the consuming public in matters related to protecting and promoting public health. Ability to present formal environmental health training programs. Ability to develop and express ideas and opinions concisely, comprehensively, and clearly in oral and written from. Ability to independently plan and schedule work activities. Ability to apply environmental health knowledge and techniques in the investigation of environmental health problems.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from a four-year college or university with 30 semester of course work in the physical or biological sciences and two years of exposure in environmental health; or a four-year or Master’s degree in environmental health from a program which is accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula of the National Environmental Health Association and one year of experience in environmental health.

Necessary Special Qualification- Approval for registration as a Sanitarian or registration as a Sanitarian by the North Carolina Board of Sanitarian Examiners prior to employment.

Administering the Trainee Appointment- Appointees must be eligible for registration and apply for registration as a Sanitarian Intern within 60 days of employment. Employees may remain registered as a Sanitarian Intern until registration as a Sanitarian or up to three years, whichever comes first.

Special Note: This is a generalized representation of positions in this class and is not intended to identify essential functions per ADA. Examples of work are primarily essential functions of the majority of the positions in this class but may not be applicable to all positions

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