Environmental Health Specialist 1

• Inspections: Inspects retail food service establishments according to a regular schedule or in response to public complaint, reviewing potential health violations and hazards; checking internal food and equipment temperatures, food sources, labeling, condition, and staff hygiene; reviewing and educating personnel on proper sanitation, food handling, chemical storage, and rodent/insect control; occasionally collecting food samples. Inspects all public and semi-public swimming pools to maintain safe and sanitary facilities. Inspects tattoo and body piercing parlors using state and local ordinances as required.
• Compliance: Inspects retail food establishments for compliance with state and local food codes, and preventing foodborne illness related to any preparation or sale of food to the public. Conducts discussions with operators to determine knowledge of foodborne illness prevention and training in food safety certification. Informs operators of any food code violations, and coordinates corrective actions, interprets laws, regulations and directives, while maintaining open communication and cooperation.  Takes appropriate actions to ensure compliance with all requirements, prepares inspection records, compiles statistics, submits reports, complaints, summaries of inspections, and foodborne illness investigations for regulatory or administrative action.
• Training: Conducts public health and food safety training programs, presentations, and certification training for retail food establishment’s staff, schools, civic and community groups. Participates in training, workshops, self-study and ongoing education to remain current in developments pertaining to environmental health issues. Conducts training and public speaking on environmental health issues.
• Investigations: Investigates conditions that pose a threat to the public health or environmental hazards to the air, soil and water of the county. Actions may include onsite inspections, coordinating with police and fire departments, sample collection, response to emergency situations, ordering remedial actions, consultations with various agencies and enforcement of county, state and federal codes. Investigates public complaints regarding unfit housing, illegal dumping, burning refuse and unsanitary conditions by conducting investigations and ordering remedial action. Issues citations.
• Planning: Participates in planning for, exercises, and response to natural and technical disasters affecting the citizens and environment. Prepares memoranda, and reports such as daily activities, vehicle maintenance and mileage, and documents violations as needed
• Assessment: Conducts soil profile analysis, system design, plan review, and inspections for onsite sewage systems serving residential and commercial applications. Provides environmental assessment and/or inspection of structures with respect to childhood lead poisoning. Conducts interviews, collects paint, soil, dust and water samples for analysis. Recommends abatement and interim actions to protect residents. Must obtain state license as an inspector/assessor.
• Community Collaboration: Conducts smoking consultations for public buildings and businesses, responds to public complaints and provides education of local ordinance and state laws. Operates as county liaison to state and federal agencies such as: ISDH, IDEM, USEPA, CDC, SEMA MID FEMA. Issues citations for noncompliance with Vanderburgh County Health ordinances.
• Other: Performs related duties as assigned.

• Minimum Requirements: Bachelors Degree in Environmental Health or Public Health is preferred but not required.
• Requirement: Incumbent must have ability to legally operate a motor vehicle. Must be eligible for registration as a Professional Sanitarian under the Indiana Professional Sanitarian Act. Ability to obtain an Indiana State Department of Health Certified Lead Risk Assessor License, standardization as a retail food inspector, and ServSafe Certification as needed or required as well obtain a Certified Pool Operator Certificate.
• Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of the standards, principles and practice of public health sanitation, especially in regard to better care and handling of edible foods. Working knowledge of State and local laws and regulations pertaining to all phases of environmental and food sanitation. Incumbent applies standardized practices to specific cases, referring to supervisor unusual or unprecedented situations as needed. Incumbent receives indirect or occasional supervision, with work reviewed primarily for attainment of and effect on department goals/objectives.
• Abilities: Ability to communicate effectively with industry and government representatives, and facility owners and operators in situations of potential differences of opinion or conflict. Ability to plan, schedule, and conduct field inspections and to maintain accurate records and prepare factual reports. Ability to safely handle pesticides and hazardous chemicals. Ability to legally operate a motor vehicle. Ability to follow all personnel policies and rules of the organization. Duties are broad in scope and of substantial complexity, involving many variables or considerations with interrelationships that are not clearly evident. Incumbent performs according to well-defined legal requirements and department policies and procedures, exercising independent judgement in applying guidelines and technical knowledge to specific cases and circumstances.
• Skills: Incumbent maintains work relationships with department staff, director, governmental representatives, public facility owners and operators, and other members of the general public for the purpose of implementing required inspections, disseminating information and ensuring that environmental protection standards are met and maintained.

• Physical Requirements: Incumbent performs duties in a variety of settings, including a standard office environment, food establishments, at swimming pools, outdoors, at construction sites, in/around concrete septic tanks, and in a vehicle. Duties may involve standing/walking for long periods, sitting and walking at will, walking on uneven terrain, speaking clearly, keyboarding, pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects weighing under 50 pounds, crouching/kneeling, bending, reaching, color and depth perception, hearing sounds/communication, close and far vision, handling/grasping/fingering objects, and exposure to inclement weather, dust, dirt, odors, sewage gases, heavy machinery, toxic chemicals, and communicable diseases. Universal health and safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid infection and injury to self and others.

Our benefits make Vanderburgh County Health Department an exceptional place to work.

• Starting salary: $48,220
  • 6-month rate: $50,508
• Comprehensive benefits package, including: 5 vacation days after the first 6 months and 10 per year with expanded vacation after 5 years and 15 paid holidays annually; medical, dental, and vision coverage; disability insurance; life insurance.
• Workforce Development including ongoing training, and promotional opportunities
• Flexible work hours; 40-hour work week with very occasional weekend assignments. Full time, usual hours 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M–F, with lunch breaks. May be required to work occasional evenings with the ability to flex these hours.
• A guaranteed pension plan after meeting pension benefit requirements, Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF)
• Opportunities for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for eligible workers
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and welcoming environment. Affirmative action commitment.
• Employees will receive fully funded trainings and certifications throughout their onboarding process and workforce development during their employment.
• Vanderburgh County Health Department is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Vanderburgh County Health Department will take the steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Vanderburgh County Health Department at 812-435-2400.