Description

The Wilson County Health Department is seeking a qualified, motivated individual to join our team as an Environmental Health Program Specialist. This position plays a vital role in protecting public health by ensuring a safe and healthy environment for our community. The primary purpose of the Wilson County Environmental Health Division is to safeguard life, health and the environment. This is accomplished by enforcement of rules and regulations, administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), that pertain to public health protection and environmental stewardship.

Working hours are generally from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday (40 hours per week). Considered to be on call in the event of an emergency or disaster. Weekend work is required as needed

Hiring Range: $57,240 -$70,000

Description of Work

The Environmental Health Program Specialist performs evaluations of restaurants, meat markets, food stands, drink stands, school lunchrooms, mobile food units, pushcarts, and limited food service establishments. Perform evaluations of hospitals, nursing homes, rest homes, child care centers and other similar institutions. Perform evaluations of swimming pools, summer camps, elderly nutrition sites, schools, lodging places, local confinement facilities, bed and breakfast homes/inns, temporary food stands, tattoo artists, and residential care facilities (which include mental health care facilities and group homes, etc.) Extensive knowledge of food protection and a thorough understanding of all

applicable rules and laws is required. Inspections involve independent professional judgment, instantaneous decision making, and often good common sense. Evaluate many components of an establishment during inspections and discuss the problems needing corrective action with the management. This entails interpretation of the rules and, through education, must convince the management and staff to implement corrective action consistent with the Sanitation Rules. Provide in-service training and education for employees during routine inspections. Interaction, education, and communication skills are vital during routine inspections, compliance visits, and consultations. The sanitation inspections are conducted unannounced and a grade card is required to be posted in a conspicuous location for some of these facilities as directed by law. The guidelines for inspections are standardized inspection forms based on the Sanitation Rules provided by the DDHS. Inspections can result in initiation of legal action when a permit to operate is suspended or revoked due to noncompliance with the Sanitation Rules.

Minimum Education and Experience

The person in this position must be a Registered Environmental Health Specialist and meet additional requirements as determined by health director and the state personnel office.

Must be thoroughly knowledgeable in a wide variety of rules and regulations relating to establishments subject to required inspections in the State of North Carolina. Must be able to communicate these laws and rules to the public in such a way as to reflect their importance to the publics’ health and environmental protection. Must be able to deal effectively with people, both the public and fellow staff members, to reduce stressful encounters sometimes occurring as a result of enforcement action or conflict over interpretation of rules and regulations.

Supplemental Information

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status

Wilson County Government

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Environmental Health Program Specialist