This job posting expires at 11:59PM on April 07, 2026. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on April 07, 2026.Job Title: Environmental Health Specialist I- Food & LodgingDepartment: Health - Community Protection and PreparednessExternal Hiring Range: $27.58 - $32.68Compensation Grade: 2008Posted Internally and ExternallyBuncombe County offers in-office, hybrid, and remote positions. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.
Buncombe County is hiring for an Environmental Health Specialist I position within the Food and Lodging Division. The Environmental Health Division is responsible for enforcing North Carolina laws and regulations to protect public health and the environment in Buncombe County. The NC Department of Health and Human Services provides technical support and delegates regulatory authority to our team.
This position involves conducting routine inspections, responding to complaints, and performing follow-up visits in a variety of program areas, including Food, Lodging, Institutions, Public Pools, Tattoo Establishments, Childcare Centers, and School Sanitation. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed. You’ll be part of a dedicated team of 16 Environmental Health Specialists.
This is a hybrid position and does not require daily reporting to an office.
However, shared office space is available if needed. The selected candidate will be required to drive their personal vehicle and will be reimbursed for miles driven while conducting County business at the federal rate. In accordance with Buncombe County's remote work policy, employees must reside within a two-hour radius of the office and do not receive mileage reimbursement for the commute.
Purpose of the position:
The purpose of this position is to conduct state-mandated inspections of facilities under the jurisdiction of Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) Environmental Health division to ensure compliance with public health laws and rules.
Minimum Education, Training and/or 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.
Additional Training and Experience: Educational requirements in accordance with Chapter 90A must be obtained each calendar year to renew registration in order to maintain Registered Environmental Health Specialist status.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: Registration is required by the North Carolina Board of Sanitarian Examiners under the provisions of Chapter 90A of the General Statues of North Carolina.
Purpose of the position: The primary purpose of this position is to conduct state mandated inspections of facilities under the jurisdiction of BCHHS Environmental Health division to ensure compliance with public health laws and rules.
Essential Functions of the position:
- Enforce compliance with state, local, and federal environmental and public health laws, and regulations.
- Investigate environmental related complaints, health related nuisances, and reports of food borne illness and contaminated food to prevent the spread of communicable disease.
- Perform routine inspections, visits, and critical violation visits to ensure that food and lodging facilities, swimming pools, institutions, childcare centers, schools, tattoo artists and lead investigations are meeting standards as mandated by state laws and rules to reduce the incidences and threat of food borne illness, lead hazards, and other communicable disease.
- Seek corrective actions where needed and educate managers, operators and staff of various facilities and establishments on safe handling processes and sanitation procedures.
- Keep accurate and detailed inspection records as mandated by the state that include the violation observed, food code citation, and method of correction.
- Assist EPI team and other staff in the event of a food borne outbreak.
- Seek legal remedies under the advice of the program supervisor and division director to abate health nuisances or prosecute individuals for failure to comply with public health laws and rules.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Working knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as a complete understanding of the concepts of public health law.
- Working knowledge of the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems, food sanitation, food borne diseases, communicable diseases, vector control, protection of water supplies, solid waste management, lead hazard identification and institutional sanitation as applicable to area of assignment.
- Working knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques as applied in environmental health.
- Working knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies involved in environmental health work.
- Ability to accurately interpret and enforce state and local laws, rules, and ordinances.
- Ability to analyze and comprehend a variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports.
- Ability to effectively communicate potential concerns and corrective measures to business and property owners and the consuming public in matters related to protecting and promoting public health.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with a wide range of the public while enforcing public health laws and regulations.
Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.
It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.
