ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST 3* - 02252025-65695

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION, MCMINN COUNTY

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, including at least 36 quarter hours in biology, chemistry, or any environmental science and experience equivalent to two years of any full-time work in the enforcement of an environmental program or any professional environmental program work.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Graduate course work in an environmental science, biology, or chemistry field may be substituted for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis; to the maximum of one year (e.g., 36 quarter hours is equivalent to one year).

Substitution of Experience for Education: Any qualifying full-time work in the enforcement of an environmental program or any professional environmental program work may be substituted for the required education, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of four years.

OR

Two years of any full-time work in the enforcement of an environmental program or any professional environmental work in the enforcement of an environmental program or any professional environmental program work with the State of Tennessee.

Necessary Special Qualifications: A valid motor vehicle operator's license may be required for some positions.

Note: A transcript is required for the proper evaluation for this class.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional environmental health program work of considerable difficulty; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is the advanced working level in the Env Health Specialist sub-series. An employee in this class performs a full range of complex environmental compliance inspection, problem identification, and enforcement duties in an environmental health division. This class differs from Env Health Specialist 1 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the entry level. This class differs from Env Health Specialist 4 in that an incumbent of the latter functions as a first level supervisor of at least two health specialists or as a full-time trainer of subordinate professional staff.

Responsibilities

Inspecting Equipment, Structure, or Material:

• Inspects Tennessee establishments for compliance with state environmental health standards.
• Evaluates health conditions during on-site inspections of food service establishments, bed and breakfasts, organized campgrounds, public swimming pools, hotels, motels, body piercing shops, tattoo parlors, state correctional facilities, child care centers and school buildings.
• Identifies improper food handling procedures and potential sources of food contamination based on risk factors likely to cause foodborne illness.
• Inspects equipment, structures or materials to identify the cause of violation and other problems or defects.
• Exams tattoo or body piercing work stations to ensure proper storage and maintenance of equipment such as autoclaves and safe hygienic practices.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

• Evaluates food samples and sterilization procedures for Tennessee establishments in order to minimize potential sources of contamination.
• Identifies the time periods of spore test records to ensure tests are conducted according to state guidelines and by an approved laboratory.
• Compares titrated water samples against pH scales to ensure the pH and alkalinity levels are within state guidelines for public swimming pools.
• Conducts mandated, risk based inspections in assigned territory.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:

• Handles complaints, settles disputes and resolves grievances and conflicts or otherwise negotiates with others.

Monitor Process, Materials or Surroundings:

• Collects avian specimens and prepares for testing/analysis at the lab.
• Collects and transports rabies specimens to the lab for analysis.

Getting Information:

• Asks relevant questions of the owner/operator/person in charge to ensure compliance with all applicable state rules and regulations.
• Interviews individuals to determine the nature of suspected violations and to obtain evidence of violations.
• Searches for establishments that must be regulated in order to bring them into compliance.
• Collects basic information concerning complaints in our mandated programs (public pools, food service establishments, hotels, etc.).
• Collects information concerning animal bite investigations from various sources.
• Collects information on food borne outbreaks from various sources.

Training and Teaching Others:

• Trains and teaches operators/owners, persons in charge, the risk-based approach in order to be in compliance.
• Conducts monthly scheduled training for food service handlers in risk-based procedures.
• Conducts bi-annually/quarterly training for tattoo artists and body piercing technicians on current rules and regulations.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

• Prepares written supplemental reports to describe violations and explain corrective recommendations.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

• Communicates with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

• Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintains them over time.

Scheduling Work and Activities:

• Organizes the assigned territory to maintain efficiency and completion during each inspection cycle.
• Organizes events such as rabies clinics and temporary events (fairs, organized festivals, etc.).

Interacting with Computers:

• Utilizes computers to enter and process data and research new technology.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers or Subordinates:

• Provides information to supervisors and co-workers by telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.

Performing Administrative Tasks:

• Performs day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Completes required documentation for travel and/or field use of vehicle (i.e., mileage logs, travel time, vehicle inspection checklists, etc.).

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

• Keeps up-to-date technically and applies new knowledge to job.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

• Action Oriented
• Composure
• Dealing with Paradox
• Decision Quality
• Ethics and Values
• Functional/Technical Competency
• Intellectual Horsepower
• Listening
• Negotiating
• Organizing
• Planning
• Priority Setting
• Presentation Skills
• Technical Learning
• Time Management
• Written Communications

Knowledge:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Clerical
• Communications and Media
• Customer and Personal Service
• Education and Training
• Food Production
• Law and Government
• Mathematics

Skills:

• Active Learning
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Science
• Speaking
• Writing
• Coordination
• Instructing
• Negotiation
• Persuasion
• Service Orientation
• Social Perceptiveness
• Complex Problem Solving
• Operations Monitoring
• Quality Control Analysis
• Troubleshooting
• Systems Analysis
• Systems Evaluation
• Time Management

Abilities:

• Category Flexibility
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Memorization
• Number Facility
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Selective Attention
• Time Sharing
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Extent Flexibility
• Stamina
• Hearing Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Night Vision
• Peripheral Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition

Tools & Equipment

• Personal Computer
• Telephone
• Fax Machine
• Printer
• Scanner
• Copier
• Calculator
• Electronic Devices
• Smart Phone
• Thermocouple
• Pool Test Kit
• Maximum Register Thermometer
• Flashlight
• Test Strips (pH and sanitizing)

Other Office and Inspection Related Equipment as Required

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.