Environmental Health Practitioner

Starting Salary Range: $48,143.29 - $52,975.65/year

Position Schedule: M-F 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Some weekend or evening hours required

Position Summary

This position performs professional field inspection and office work in securing compliance with applicable codes and general environmental health practices and techniques. After initial orientation and preliminary training, work is performed under the guidance of a Senior Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) or supervisor. As experience is gained, the degree of supervision decreases, and the employee performs work with considerable independence. Unusual or difficult situations are discussed with a senior EHP or a supervisor. Work is performed in accordance with federal, state, county, and municipal laws and codes relating to environmental health, and county policies and procedures. Work is reviewed by an Environmental Health Program Supervisor for compliance with state and other laws and codes, compliance with county policies and procedures, and for the courteous professional treatment of business owners, landowners, and the public. This is a non-supervisory position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews plans, blueprints, equipment specifications, applications, codes, laws, and other documents pertaining to food establishments, private sewage disposal systems, water wells, geothermal installations, and other program activities for compliance.
• Drives to urban and rural areas of the county.
• Conducts comprehensive inspections of food establishments, private sewage disposal systems, water wells, sealing of abandoned water wells, geothermal installation, and other facilities; prepares reports and determines compliance or noncompliance.
• Conducts environmental assessments of foodborne and waterborne related illnesses and completes associated reports and logs.
• Conducts training in various environmental areas for local universities and schools, food workers, Private Sewage Disposal System Installation and Geothermal System Contractors, and the public; explains the application of related theory and context of laws and codes.
• Assists new EHPs and interns in learning the application of codes to field conditions.
• Upon request, conducts surveys of businesses to evaluate compliance with relevant regulations and best practices and private residences to determine sources of water contamination, vector infestations, and other environmental contaminants.
• Provides support for emergency preparedness activities.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to apply knowledge of the physical and/or biological sciences including microbiology, chemistry, physics, math, earth sciences, hydrology, geology.
• Ability to apply knowledge of modern principles, techniques, and practices of environmental health.
• Ability to learn the laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations of local jurisdictions relating to environmental health.
• Ability to interact with the public in a friendly, professional, courteous, and polite manner.
• Ability to interact with irate people in a calm manner.
• Ability to effectively communicate and express ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing to the intended audience.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive inspections, document compliance and noncompliance, and prepare reports.
• Ability to complete assigned inspections and respond to emergency situations 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• Eligible to challenge and pass the Environmental Health Practitioner, Registered Sanitarian, or Registered Environmental Health Specialist exam.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the supervisor, other county departments, city and county officials, state and federal agencies, and the general public.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in the physical and/or biological sciences, environmental health, or a closely related field; and some experience (0-1 year) which demonstrates the ability to work with people in a friendly, courteous, and polite manner; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the above noted knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• 21 years of age or older (Requirement due to locations/businesses that are inspected)
• Illinois Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications

• BS in Environmental Health
• Licensed Environmental Health Practitioner
• Prior experience desired but not mandatory

Physical Attributes/Demands

This position requires activities such as sitting, walking and standing for long periods of time, walking on uneven surfaces, bending, crawling, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs, lifting, moving and carrying medium to heavy objects, operating office equipment, and driving an automobile.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position requires activities such as: sitting, walking and standing for long periods of time; walking on uneven and unstable surfaces; bending, crawling, stooping, reaching; climbing stairs and ladders; ability to lift, move and carry objects weighing at least forty (40) pounds; exposure to extreme temperature changes; operating office equipment; and driving an automobile.

The work is performed in an office environment involving exposure to normal, everyday risks that require normal safety precautions typical of offices. Work also is performed outdoors and indoors involving exposure to cold, hot, humid, wet environments, consistent loud sounds, and raw sewage. Personal protective equipment such as: hard hats, eye protection, respiratory protection, and hearing protection are occasionally required.

Benefits Package

McLean County offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Medical Member Rewards Program
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flex Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Spending Account (DSA)
• Supplemental Insurance: Life, Critical Illness and Accident
• County provided Life Insurance
• Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF Pension)
• Paid time off: vacation days, personal days, sick days, holidays
• Identity Protection
• Charitable Giving
• Employee Assistance Program

Full salary range: $48,143.29 - $74,622.13 annually

About McLean County Government

The Environmental Health program is part of the McLean County Health Department, a local public health department that offers a variety of programs to serve McLean County residents: WIC/Family Case Management, Environmental Health, Vital Records, Communicable Disease, Immunizations, and Dental Services.

McLean County is the largest county by land area in the state of Illinois with a population of over 172,000. McLean County Government is a fast-moving and dynamic workplace established to locally administer Illinois State laws and serve the community in a variety of ways throughout our multitude of departments. With a $146 million operating budget, over 800 employees, and an Aa1 Bond Rating, McLean County Government is positioned to maintain and expand its reputation for excellence in local government.

To learn more about all the services McLean County Government provides the community, please visit https://mcleancountyil.gov/. A full list of Departments with a description of their function can be located at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/8/Departments.

How to Apply

Click “Apply Now” at the top of this post. A cover letter and resume must be uploaded at the time of application.

• If applying through a third party job board, please fill out an application via McLean County Government’s Job Board located at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/2068/Jobs

Confidentiality of your application is maintained upon request.

McLean County Government is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.