What are the responsibilities and job description for the ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST position at Linn County?
Linn County is committed to creating a Customer-Center Culture placing our internal & external customers at the center of everything we do! Why do we do this? We get that question a lot. The answer is simple: We want our customers to have a positive experience. Our co-workers are customers too. Exceptional internal customer satisfaction leads to exceptional customer satisfaction for the public!
Why work at Linn County?
- Competitive wages with annual pay increases & annual cost of living increase (depending on budget)
- Medical, dental, vision, short & long term disability, and supplemental life insurance
- Iowa Public Employee's Retirement Pension Plan (IPERS)
- Wellness program offering credit on insurance premiums to eligible employees
- Free on-site fitness centers
- 100% County paid basic life insurance
- 12 paid holidays per year
- Training & professional development opportunities
New Hire: $32.26 · 90 days: $33.94 · 1 year: $35.74 · 2 years: $37.61 · 3 years: $39.69
About Environmental Health Specialist:
Performs fieldwork with professional responsibilities relating to enforcement of laws, regulations and standards concerning food safety, safe drinking water, private sewage disposal systems, solid waste, toxic substances, rabies investigations, and general sanitation. Work is performed under general supervision. Knows the County’s Customer-Centered Culture principles, the County’s Mission, Strategic Plan and Core Values and demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction for all customers on a regular basis.
- Writes letters, reports, documents, notices, condemnations, hold orders, and detentions. Testifies in court and administrative hearings.
- Participates in continuing education classes and conferences including food safety updates, swimming pool and spa regulations, private sewage systems, private nonpublic water supply wells, environmental sampling, pest control, epidemiology, incident command system training, radiation monitoring, and hazardous materials.
- Responds to and advises on hazardous and potentially hazardous materials spills, collects samples when necessary and recommends mitigation procedures to restore safe environment.
- Maintains a working knowledge of applicable codes and ordinances.
- Inspects food service and retail food establishments, vending machines, temporary food stands, as well as lodging establishments within the contract area for compliance with state laws.
- Educates the public on food safety, protection, quality and storage.
- Conducts investigations and inspections regarding possible food-borne illness outbreaks and collects available samples and transports to lab for analysis.
- Assists in Food and Drug Administration food recalls.
- Conducts training programs for food handlers and managers of food establishments.
- Assists animal control agencies investigating animal bites.
- Inspects tattoo and tanning establishments as assigned.
- Inspects public swimming pools and spas.
- Inspects housing and identifies hazards within the structure and outside of the structure.
- Performs all other related duties as assigned.
- Knows the products they personally produce and the customers of each product. Listens to the “Voice of the Customer “and closes gaps between customer expectations and experience whenever possible.
- Bachelor's degree with major coursework in environmental health or related field required that includes an Algebra course or higher-level math and 30 semester hours/45 quarter hours in basic sciences.
- Six (6) months to one (1) year of experience in working with the public, preferably in positions related to public health and sanitation work required; or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Working knowledge of modern methods, principles, techniques and practices of environmental health and sanitation.
- Considerable knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, food science, hydrology, and/or pedology/soil science and physics as the job duties require.
- Working knowledge of the Iowa Food Code, Iowa Private Sewage Disposal Systems Code, Iowa Swimming Pool and Spa Rules, and other related laws.
- Ability to apply this knowledge to the abatement of specific unsanitary conditions and problems.
- Ability to communicate and deal effectively with the general public.
- Ability to work with a computer and have knowledge of basic word processing, spreadsheet programs and development of presentations and reports.
Valid State of Iowa Driver's License required. Must pass a County physical examination, which includes a drug test after offer of employment. Regular work attendance required. Must remain awake and aware of surroundings at all times. Ability to obtain Pesticide Application Certification from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS).
Food Safety and Sanitarian Special Requirements:
Completion of FDA Level One Food Service Inspection and other related certifications within two (2) years of hire. Ability to obtain certified swimming pool operator within one (1) year of hire.
Mental and Physical Demands and Environment:
Position requires indoor and outdoor work, with potentially ongoing exposure to elements, including undesirable conditions which may include heat, cold, construction equipment, exposure to noise from kitchen equipment, live and dead animals, human and animal waste, odors and smells, filthy environments, chemical solvents from cleaning solvents, and construction environments etc. Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. Ability to walk on uneven ground in all kinds of weather.
Salary : $36 - $67,101
