Environmental Health Specialist I/Ii - Food Safety -Public Health Department

Job Summary
Environmental Health Specialists (EHS) work within the section of Environmental Public Health (EPH) and are responsible for protecting the health of citizens by enforcing EPH rules and regulations, educating stakeholders, preventing exposure to environmental hazards by promoting healthy natural and built environments within Clark County. This position will be assigned basic job duties:
•Design/Plan Review - the EHS will review designs and plans such as food establishment floor plans, food preparation plans, and Toolkits of various topics. This review is critical to ensure the safety of the facility or infrastructure and compliance with State and Local requirements.
•Site Inspections - the EHS will ensure the site matches design and plan criteria and that operations are conducted in compliance with state and local codes. These inspections ensure processes protect the Public Health and prevent injury.
•Complaint and Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation - an EHS will investigate complaints by performing records searches, site visits, interviews of complainants and gathering other pertinent information.
•Enforcement of Regulation - an EHS will, when necessary, initiate enforcement when regulations are not met. The goal is to ensure compliance with Public Health rules. In many instances, the EHS will partner with other agencies that can improve the process or offer resources to the one with whom enforcement is being pursued.
•Technical Assistance - the EHS will offer technical expertise to property owners, business owners, food workers, entrepreneurs, county departments and other stakeholders. This task can include significant research and communication.
The position may be asked to work in other EPH programs as needed. Organizational responsibilities include understanding and promoting the Public Health mission of the department; providing courteous, respectful, efficient customer service to all Public Health customers; honoring diversity of all department employees and constituents; participating in Emergency Preparedness activities and on-call rotations; striving for personal excellence in Public Health work.
The Public Health Department values our community's diversity and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public. Our department also encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
This position is represented by Local 335, Laborers International Union of North America Health Care Division.
This position has the option of a remote/hybrid work schedule possibility. However, the candidate selected must reside in OR or WA. No Exceptions.
Qualifications
Job Function

• Resolves complaints concerning food borne illnesses by interviewing affected individuals, obtaining clinical specimens, collecting food samples, interviewing employees, tracing possible sources of contamination, consulting with state epidemiologist, evaluating findings and writing reports.
• Conducts compliance inspections of schools, restaurants, grocery stores, taverns, bakeries, meat markets, weekend events, and other retail food establishments according to assigned schedule.
• Records violations found during inspections, evaluate findings, discuss with owner or manager, and establish short and long-term corrective actions.
• Makes follow-up evaluations and initiates enforcement procedures, if necessary.
• Provides information on building requirements for new and remodeled food establishments and answers questions from the public regarding Public Health requirements for food service establishments.
• Reviews submitted plans for food establishments and conducts pre-opening inspections to see that requirements are met.
• Gives presentations to food service workers and other groups regarding the prevention of food borne illnesses and proper food handling procedures.
• Participation on internal and external work groups, committees coalitions

Knowledge of:

• Key components of cultural competency; awareness of differences, attitude to examine believes and values, knowledge of differences and skills to work across cultures effectively and appropriately;
• Core competencies for Public Health Professionals;
• Food Safety principle and practices;
• Standard methods and techniques of inspectional work in environmental sanitation and Public Health; applicable rules and regulations for the specialized area(s) assigned.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and terminology of environmental Public Health.
• Comprehensive knowledge of bacteriology, chemistry, physics, biology, and other sciences as applied to environmental Public Health.
• Comprehensive knowledge of general sanitation and sanitary practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of environmental Public Health laws and regulations and investigative techniques.

Ability to:

• Offer excellent customer service.
• Work with varied stakeholders, especially private contractors and property owners.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with varied stakeholders including government agencies, community organizations, department leadership, decision makers, peers, applicants, permit holders, industry personnel, and the general public.
• Work independently with minimal supervision and attention to detail.
• Express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, in-person, on the phone, and virtually.
• Work collaboratively with coworkers to improve internal systems.
• Effectively use various PC applications and office technology such as a smartphone, personal computer, Microsoft Office software, email, and internet to accomplish job functions.
• Effectively and respectfully work with persons from diverse backgrounds including; age, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, socioeconomic status, physical characteristics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status, health status, genetic predisposition, political belief, mental or physical ability.
• Identify the role of cultural, social, and behavioral factors in determining the delivery of Public Health services.
• Research and implement approaches to address problems that consider cultural differences that may present in interpersonal behavior.
• Ability to interpret, applies, and enforces environmental Public Health laws, regulations, requirements, and policies.
• Recognize potential health hazards and recommend corrective action.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Work outdoors for extended periods under a wide variety of weather conditions.
• Perform work duties that require lifting of at least 50lbs, stooping, bending, walking over sloped and/or uneven ground and other varied environments and conditions.

Other Necessary Qualifications:

• Possess a valid driver's license, insurance, and have access to reliable transportation
• Must successfully complete basic incident management courses and participate in emergency response trainings as requested
• Must be able to respond to Public Health emergencies or exercises at any time, except while on scheduled vacation or other leave. In addition, leaves may be cancelled under Public Health emergencies
• Must protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal law
• Must adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines, including but not limited to timely completion of mandatory trainings
• Must adhere to the Department employee immunity policy and provide documents as requested

Selection Process:
Resumes and other documents must be attached together in the 'Resume Upload' section of the application. Multiple files are allowed, but all applicant attachments must be uploaded simultaneously, as there is no way to edit or append uploaded materials after submitting the application.
Application Review (Pass/ Fail) - An online application is required. Attaching a resume does not substitute for a completed application; incomplete applications will not pass the application review. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.
Practical Exam (Pass/Fail) - This recruitment may require a practical exam which will be job related and may include, but not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.
Oral Interview - The interview will be job related and may include, not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement. Top candidate(s) will continue in the process.
Employment references will be conducted for the final candidates and may include verification of education
This position will be open until filled.
First review date for applications will be on October 20th, 2023.
Examples of Duties
Experience and Education
The successful candidate will likely have a combination of education, experience, and qualifications equivalent to or including the following:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health or a closely related area.
• Two years successful experience in obtaining compliance with Environmental Health standards. (EHS II classification only - if hired, applicants with less than 2 years of applicable experience will be classified as an EHS I).
• Registration as a Registered Sanitarian (RS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) preferred.
• Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may be substituted.

Salary Grade
Local 335.8A - Local 335.9A
Salary Range
$27.44 - $42.75- per hour
Close Date
Open Until FilledRecruiter
Irene Catherine Chrest
Email:
Irene.Chrest@clark.wa.gov
Equal Opportunity Employer
Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at http://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.
Employee Benefits and additional compensation
Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation. Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation. More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/employee-benefits. Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.
Retirement Information
All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice.
For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site here: http://www.drs.wa.gov/
If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388.