Description

The Wilson County Health Department is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented professional to join our team as an Environmental Health Specialist.

In this important role, you will help protect and promote community health by ensuring safe food service operations, clean facilities, and compliance with environmental health regulations throughout Wilson County.

Description of Work

A.On-site Wastewater Site Evaluations:

Sites are evaluated to determine suitably of on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems (septic tank systems). This involves traveling to the site and performing site and soil evaluations, in accordance with applicable state laws and rules, once the necessary information has been obtained in the application process. The soil evaluation aspect requires use of a soil auger to make soil borings to determine if the soil meets the rules in terms of soil texture, structure, mineralogy, wetness, restrictive horizons, and other applicable factors. If it appears that the site meets the applicable rules, the septic system is laid out; the lot will then be classified as suitable or provisionally suitable in accordance with the North Carolina Rules for Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems. The Improvement Permit and/or Construction Authorization is then prepared. A detailed sketch will be put on the permit showing the layout of the septic tank system. If the site is found to be unsuitable, all options will be explored to determine if there are any alternatives to make the lot provisionally suitable. If there are no alternatives, a denial letter will be prepared and sent to the applicant, informing him of the status of the site evaluation. Also, the Environmental Health Supervisor, Environmental Health Program Specialist, and/or Regional Soil Specialist with the NC Division of Environmental Health may also accompany the environmental health specialist on the site to perform a follow-up evaluation. Documentation must be maintained on all evaluations and visits, including completion of the soil evaluation sheet (s) and correspondence.

B.Septic Tank System Inspections:

Once the Improvement Permit and Construction Authorization have been issued, the septic system is installed and must be inspected by the Environmental Health Specialist. This involves traveling to the site of the installation and making an inspection before the system is covered and put into operation. An engineer level is used to determine the level of the trench bottoms, as well as the amount of the stone installed in the drain lines. When a pumping system is installed, more items have to be inspected, such as the pump, alarm, and other appurtenances. This usually requires another trip to the site. When it has been determined that the system is installed in accordance with the improvement permit and construction authorization, as well as the Rules for Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems, an operation permit is signed by the Environmental Health Specialist and issued. If the system installation cannot be approved, the septic tank system installer will be told what the reason(s) are. Once the problem (s) has been corrected, the Environmental Health Specialist will make a return visit (unless corrected at that time) to conduct another inspection.

C.Other Related Activities:

Office work is conducted daily and consists of the consultation with the clients by phone and/or office visits, and the completion of all necessary permits, correspondence and paperwork on a routine basis. Staff activity reports, travel sheets, and monthly time sheets must also be completed in accordance to health department policies and procedures. Provide advice and guidance on environmental health problems to Environmental Health Specialists, health department personnel, and others as needed. Provide training and guidance for other environmental health personnel as needed.

There are other related duties that are assigned depending on the needs of the environmental health section and the requirement as set forth in the passage of applicable laws, rules and ordinances.

It is required by the North Carolina Board of Sanitarian Examiners that a certain number of hours of continuing education be met each year. This must be achieved by attendance to various workshops, meetings, seminars, etc.

Minimum Education and Experience

A.Required Minimum Training:

Graduation from a four-year college or university with 30 semester hours of course work in the physical or biological sciences and two years experience 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 experience in environmental health.

B.Additional Training/Experience:

Approved for registration as a sanitarian or registration as a sanitarian by the North Carolina Board of Sanitarian Examiners prior to employment. A valid North Carolina drivers license is also required.

Wilson County Government

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Environ Health Specialist