Position Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Salary Grade: 7

Pay Range
Hiring Range: $21.11 - $24.80 Per Hour
Full Range: $21.11 - $28.49 Per Hour

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification.

The Pima County Health Department is seeking Environmental Health Specialist I's to promote food safety throughout the County. These three (3) positions are ideal for people who like to work independently and enjoy being in the field every day. Environmental Health Specialist I’s inspect permitted food facilities using a risk-based inspection methodology developed by the FDA and work with restaurant owners/operators to ensure compliance with the FDA Food Code and Pima County Code.

If you are self-motivated, organized, and enjoy working with people, this might be a great job for you. Candidates must be able to qualify to take the Arizona Registered Sanitarian’s exam. Qualification to take the exam is determined by the Arizona Sanitarians’ Council, not the Pima County Health Department.

Duties/Responsibilities

(Work assignments may vary depending on the department's needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.)

Investigates, inspects and advises recreational, housing and food agencies and establishments, e.g., restaurants, food mobiles, adult and child protection services, home/day care centers, hotels, motels, massage studios, ice manufacturing plants, bed and breakfast facilities, schools, trailer parks, and warehouses, within assigned area of jurisdiction on health related matters;

Investigates vector-related complaints and recommends appropriate treatment of infested areas;

Interprets, promotes, and enforces public health/food safety federal, state laws and regulations and local ordinances;

Applies the intent of statutes, regulations and ordinances as they pertain to food establishments and agencies requiring licensing;

Recommends permit suspension, permit revocation and other enforcement tactics for non-compliance to supervisor for consideration;

Responds to requests to abate environmental health hazards on public and private property;

Maintains manual and computer-based records;

Prepares, presents, and submits routine, recurring and special reports;

Prepares educational manuals and handouts, facilitates workshops, pool and food certifications and other on-site educational programs;

Participates in developing new programs and revising existing programs;

May assist in making public presentations on environmental health matters;

May assist in performing epidemiological investigation of food borne disease outbreaks;

May assist in the collection of samples of food, water and sewage for laboratory analysis and interpreting results.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Knowledge of:

principles and practices of investigation, inspection, and enforcement of health and sanitation related matters;
principles and practices of vector control;
relevant federal, state, and local health codes, laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and standards;
biological, bacteriological, and physical sciences applicable to environmental health investigation, inspection, education, and enforcement;
procedures and techniques of collecting samples of products for laboratory analysis;
principles and practices of preparing and presenting educational materials and programs;
effective communication techniques;
principles and practices of public health.

Skill in:

performing and documenting investigations and inspections for recreational, housing and food establishments;
public contact, verbal and written communications;
inspecting, educating, and enforcing environmental health rules, regulations and standards;
applying, interpreting, and enforcing appropriate sanitation and health laws, rules, regulations, codes, and standards;
recommending enforcement tactics for non-compliance;
collecting samples of products for laboratory analysis and interpreting testing results;
preparing educational and informational materials.

Minimum Qualifications

(1) Successful completion of 30 semester credit hours at an accredited college or university in the natural sciences*, as defined by the Arizona Sanitarians Council, with a grade of “C” or greater.

(A transcript of courses completed and grades must be attached to the application materials.)

* The Sanitarian’s Council has defined “natural science” as a branch of science that deals with the physical world, including life, physical, and health sciences. The Sanitarians’ Council makes all final determinations as to whether individual courses meet the definition.

OR:

(2) Five years of work experience as a Sanitarian Assistant or technician in either a recognized public health agency or private industry in a position directly related to environmental health.

OR:

(3) Five years of full-time military duty in the field of environmental health.

OR:

(4) Valid registration in the State of Arizona as a professional sanitarian.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

Registered Sanitarian in the State of Arizona or qualify for reciprocity by being registered in another state with a passing score at or above the qualification required by Arizona.
College degree.
Environmental health work or intern experience.
Bilingual (English/Spanish, Chinese, or another language).

Selection Procedure:

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. ValidAZdriver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record. All positions require possession of a valid registration in the State of Arizona as a professional sanitarian within eighteen months from the date of appointment. Some positions may require an Arizona Pest Control Operator certification at the time of appointment or prior to completion of initial/promotional probation. Failure to obtain/maintain the required registration/certification/ licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Item: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Eligibility for professional Sanitarian registration is determined by the Sanitarian Council. Determinations as to whether your educational coursework qualifies you for registration is solely the discretion of the Arizona Sanitarian Council. The Council has the ultimate decision-making ability as to whether a course will count as natural science credits. Pima County HR makes employment offers based on their understanding of the required coursework. If courses are not approved by the Sanitarian Council, the applicant/employee will have 18 months from date of hire to successfully complete both the coursework and the exam. Failure to become registered as a professional Sanitarian within the required period will result in termination of employment.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. All positions will be exposed to outdoor extreme climate conditions and indoor commercial environments that are sometimes extremely hot, cold, wet, and unsanitary, which require the proper wearing of individual safety and protective clothing and equipment.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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5726 - Environmental Health Specialist I