***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE***

Job Summary

The Nevada Health Authority, Division of Purchasing and Compliance, is recruiting for an Environmental Health Specialist underfill for an EHS III, located in the Elko, NV office. Under the direct supervision of the Environmental Health Specialist supervisor, the selected individual will document on-site observations during inspections; compile data and write reports; follow up on inspections to ensure compliance; appear in court as an expert witness as required; prepare data to ensure integrity for future legal actions; prepare press releases, official notices and letters of advice, and assist the public with various EHS functions and information. The Environmental Health Specialist functions include permitting, management, education, inspection, enforcement, consultation, and emergency response for the purpose of prevention of environmental health hazards and the promotion and protection of public health and the environment through applicable Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS)/Nevada Administrative Codes (NAC), including Chapters 444, 446 and 449 in the areas of manufactured and retail food protection; bottled water plants and distributors; cosmetic plants; drug manufacturing; public accommodations; recreational vehicle parks; institutional environmental health; recreational swimming areas and waters; solid and liquid waste management; onsite septic systems; water sanitation; and emergency preparedness; and health facility types described in NRS/NAC 449 to ensure compliance with NRS/NAC 446. This position will also investigate illnesses and other public health problems, perform other duties as assigned and be involved in a variety of special projects. Incumbents will be able to read and understand technical, legal, and scientific documents; organize material and information systematically and logically to minimize duplication of effort; work effectively with frequent interruptions and/or distractions in such locations as construction sites, emergencies, and processing plants; perform basic math to determine disinfection rates, design septic systems, conduct plan review, and calculate fees; use a personal computer and associated software. This position requires up to 50% travel time, a valid driver's license, prospective working of nights/weekends/holidays. The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages. ***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE***

Environmental Health Specialists are responsible for conductingdrug licensing investigations; label review, sampling and inspection of drug and cosmetic manufacturing plants; inspection of dairies and milk processing plants; certification of septic systems; inspection of food warehouses, traditional food and drink establishments, health facilities, public institutions and other related facilities to ensure compliance with State laws and regulations.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university which includes the satisfactory completion of at least 45 quarter hours, or 30 semester hours, of academic work in science courses, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, sanitary engineering or environmental engineering.

Job Duties

Investigate waterborne and foodborne illnesses, epidemics, vector control problems, public nuisances or other public health problems for public protection by conductingfood, water and other material sampling (chemical, bacterial, radio nuclide, parasite and turbidity samples); analyze data; perform follow up interviews with patients and others; survey sites in the field and record and analyze observations and data to identify and solve problems andto protect the public health.

Conduct a varietyof inspections and evaluations to protect the public health including restaurants, bars, delicatessens, markets, bakeries, food processors, hotels, motels, recreational vehicle parks, dairies, milk plants, milk haulers, septic systems, private wells, pools, spas, food warehouses, hospitals, health care facilities, schools, septic tank pumper trucks, child care centers, bottled water plants, labor camps, jails, State institutions and temporary food events such as fairs; record observations;analyze data received and/or recorded including temperature reporting charts in dairies and milk processingplants, turbidity measurements and pool/spa records; inform operators or owners of deficiencies and violations, and initiate corrective actions or enforcement procedures to ensure compliance with health codes.

Represent the Food and Drug Commissioner when inspecting drug and cosmetic plants; conduct periodic inspections; summarize observations and data analyzed in a report and make written recommendations; issue directives in the field if conditions are hazardous to health, to includeclosures or impounding of drugs pending further legal action.

Apply soundpractices and principles and related field experience to the review of engineering and other plans for establishments and businesses regulated by the section for conformance with the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC); review plans for housingsubdivisions, food establishments, spas, pools, warehouses, health facilities, institutions, hotels, motels, and septic systems including an evaluation of new products to ensure conformance with health regulations; review equipment specifications and technical data and perform on-site inspections as needed.

Enforce applicable NAC and Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) for public health protection; document on-site observations; compile data and write reports; follow up on inspections to ensure compliance; appear in court as an expert witness as required.

Compile data and write technical reports and recommendations using data which has been gathered through field observations, evidence and lab analysis; prepare data to ensure integrity for future legal actions; prepare press releases, official notices and letters of advice.

Evaluate current health codes and needs; draftproposals for changesin regulations and statutes for public health protection.

Represent the division’s position at official meetings between agencies and individuals; organize and participate in training to present informationand discuss programs, regulations and trends; provide information and technical assistance to the general public and regulated community.

Organize evidence and documentation for presentation to the State Board of Health, State Health Officer, Division Administrator and at administrative hearings.

Coordinate work with federal, State and local agencies (FDA, EPA, county health departments) regarding public health matters; consult with other professionals such as engineers, land surveyors, architects, nurses and physicians on health concerns.

Incumbents receive training in the range of duties described above. Direct supervision is provided by the Environmental Health Specialist 4 and work is reviewed on an on-going basis. This is the entry level class in the series and progression to the next level may occur upon meeting the minimum qualifications and with the approval of the appointing authority.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: biology, chemistry, epidemiology, physics, and mathematics as applied to public health; the scientific method (observation, experimentation and conclusions) which is used in various investigations, such as foodborne illness outbreaks; sampling techniques to ensure quality control requirements are met (e.g., water and food samples).

Ability to: read and understand technical, legal and scientific documents; organize material, information and human resources in a systematic and logical way to optimize efficiency and minimize duplication of effort; work effectively with frequent interruptions and/or distractions in such locations as construction sites, emergencies, packaging plants and milk plants; perform basic math to determine disinfection rates, design septic systems, and calculate fees; use a personal computer and associated software.

Recruiter contact information: Victoria Sheehan - ToriSheehan@admin.nv.gov

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.

State of Nevada

About Us

New Jobs

Environmental Health Specialist 1