ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT- 40009383

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The primary responsibility of the organizational unit is to protect public health through education, surveillance, consulting, inspection, and enforcement of local and state environmental health laws and regulations as they relate to institutions, foodservice establishments, and lodging establishments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary. 

• Plans and manages complex projects that have a significant impact on Environmental Health or works as technical expert within a specific discipline.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for other staff members.
• Consults other staff in the application of more complex environmental health laws and rules.
• Consults with operators to ensure compliance and understanding of complex regulatory updates and requirements.
• Assists with training of new staff members.
• Performs routine regulatory activities including inspections and evaluations; initiates and supports enforcement actions.
• Inspects, evaluates, and enforces compliance with environmental regulations at North Carolina DHHS regulated public facilities including restaurants, institutions, childcare centers nursing homes, tattoo parlors, etc. Ensures compliance and communicates findings with operators. 
• Provides educational outreach during routine inspections as well as formal presentations. Conveys compliance messages to a wide range of operators requiring explanation or interpretation with understandable public health reasoning.
• Investigates complaints and mitigates solutions for matters that have potential to majorly impact health and safety. Resolve complaints using skills obtained through advanced education and practical experience to effect prompt and appropriate response.
• Permits existing facilities when they comply with NC DHHS regulations. Evaluates and issues permits at temporary foodservice establishments.
• Performs related tasks as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Requires advanced knowledge of Environmental Health obtained through education and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the North Carolina Food Code and rules related to inspections.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, stakeholders, and community members.
• Advanced communication skills required for communicating within Environmental Health and the Durham community regarding projects and procedures.
• Ability to think through and address complex issues.
• Ability to identify areas of concern in the program and present solutions to supervisors and the Health Director.
• Considerable knowledge of available resources and organizations and the ability to coordinate them as needed.
• Knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as a complete understanding of the concepts of public health law.
• Knowledge and skill in the application of public health practices, principles, and techniques and related programs.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 

Requires a bachelor’s degree with 30 semester hours in Physical/Biological science or related field and two years of experience at the Registered Environmental Health Specialist level in a health department and State authorizations in all applicable disciplines required for enforcement of State rules or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Registered as an Environmental Health Specialist by the North Carolina Board of Sanitarian Examiners prior to employment.

• Valid NC's Driver's License

To further the mission of the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) to partner with our community to advance health equity, protect the environment, and promote health and wellness for all, DCoDPH is implementing the employee vaccination and tuberculosis screening policies. All DCoDPH employees are considered healthcare personnel (HCP) working in a health care setting with the potential for exposure to patients and/or infectious materials and, therefore, are required to comply and provide documented proof of the following:

• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccination/immunity 
• Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chicken Pox) vaccination/immunity 
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Tuberculosis (TB) baseline screening within the last twelve (12) months prior to employment
• Hepatitis B vaccination/immunity – only required for DCoDPH employees with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposures.

Identified DCoDPH HCP with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposure have an additional requirement for the Hepatitis B vaccination. Required vaccination, serological testing to determine immunity, and baseline tuberculosis screening are available for all Public Health employees who elect to become DCoDPH patients upon request and at no cost.

Proof of vaccination and tuberculosis screening must be provided to Human Resources within seven (7) business days prior to the date of employment.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.