Job Purpose

This is advanced professional environmental health work in the promotion of public health through education, surveillance, inspection, consultation and enforcement of local and state laws, rules and regulations. The employee functions both within and outside of the health department, as a consultant to other environmental health specialists and to contractors and engineers on the more complex issues, which arise. The employee is responsible for organizing, coordinating and promoting consistency in the public swimming pool program.

Responsibilities

• Conducts state-mandated sanitation inspections of food establishments, lodging facilities, institutions, and public swimming pools to ensure compliance with applicable state rules and regulations.
• Evaluates food handling practices, temperature controls, sanitation procedures, and potential foodborne and waterborne health risks.
• Prepares and maintains inspection reports, permits, correspondence, and other required documentation.
• Responds to public inquiries, addresses concerns, and provides guidance regarding environmental health regulations and compliance requirements.
• Coordinates the public swimming pool program, including reviewing and approving plans for new and remodeled swimming pools, spas, and water recreation attractions.
• Evaluates blueprints, equipment specifications, facility layouts, safety features, water supply, and sewage disposal systems for new and remodeled public swimming pools, spas, and water recreation attractions.
• Conducts on-site evaluations of public swimming pools, spas, and water recreation attractions and provides recommendations to ensure compliance with applicable state regulations.
• Conducts educational workshops and provides information to food handlers, facility managers, students, and the public on environmental health practices and regulations.
• Assists in developing educational materials, brochures, news releases, and public service announcements.
• Investigates environmental health complaints involving food establishments, lodging facilities, institutions, public swimming pools, indoor air quality, and children's environmental health facilities.
• Assists with investigations of foodborne and communicable disease outbreaks, collects water samples for analysis, and prepares legal documentation for court proceedings and appeals before the Board of Health.
• Participates in public health emergency preparedness and response activities involving natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, technological hazards, and other public health emergencies.

Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Graduation from a four-year college or university with 30 semester hours of course work in the physical or biological sciences and two years of experience in environmental health; or a four-year or Master Degree in environmental health from a program which is accredited by the National Environmental Health Association and one year of experience in environmental health.

Skills & Abilities

• General knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration with more specific knowledge of the planning process; and of program area to which assigned.
• General knowledge of the methods and techniques of social research and evaluation, of the program area under study.
• Ability to communicate effectively with professional and administrative personnel; exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of computer-assisted GIS and statistical programs and working knowledge of statistical analysis of data.
• Ability to design data gathering instruments and to assess the validity of information obtained from these instruments; to analyze data and to draw conclusions from the analysis pertaining to the evaluation of the program; and make oral and written presentations on the analysis of the program.
• Considerable knowledge of environmental laws, rules, and procedures, as well as an understanding of the concepts of public health law.
• Knowledge in microbiology, biology, chemistry, food science, epidemiology, and other physical and earth sciences.
• General knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies relating to environmental health and community resources.
• Considerable knowledge of communicable diseases, vector control, solid waste management, and protection of water supplies.
• Extensive knowledge in area of specialty. Ability to analyze and comprehend a wide variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports.
• Ability to motivate and educate business and property owners and the consuming public in matters related to protecting and promoting public health.
• Must be able to periodically lift heavy objects, walk over rough terrain, and maneuver in close surroundings.
• Must be proficient in both written and oral communications.
• Ability to independently plan and schedule work activities and perform assignments.
• Ability to coordinate work in a specialized program.
• Ability to plan and implement education programs.
• Ability to work with others in solving the more complex environmental problems.
• Knowledge and ability to use personal computer in a Windows and Web Based Environment and experience with Geographic Information Systems and related software.
• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Honesty - Ability to be truthful, maintain high level of confidentiality and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Integrity – Trustworthiness to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility or pledge
• Judgment – Ability to use good judgment and discretion as it relates to following policies and procedures.
• Safety-Minded – Creating a safe work environment; managing risks;
• Teamwork – Ability to work with others successfully and productively for the common cause and desired end goal.

Health Insurance - Full-time employees are eligible for medical/health (Cigna Insurance) benefits upon the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.

Alamance County Government currently offers three plans of medical/pharmacy benefit options including 2 Standard PPO plans and a High-Deductible Health Plan with HSA.

Dental Benefit - Alamance County offers one dental insurance (Delta Dental) plan for FT employees at no cost. The plan, if elected, would be effective the first of the month following 30 days of FT employment.

Vision Insurance - A voluntary vision program (Superior Vision) is available to FT employees. The current PPO style plan allows employees to seek treatment and hardware from any vision care provider of their choice. The plan, if elected, would be effective the first of the month following 30 days of FT employment. Coverage must be elected within your first 30 days of FT employment or upon a qualifying event.

Voluntary Benefits: Alamance County Government provides a variety of voluntary health related benefits (Voya) to allow employees to purchase protection from what life may bring. A sampling of voluntary benefits includes Flexible Spending Accounts with dependent care opportunities, Health Saving Account with an employer contribution, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Cancer Protection Plan, Group Critical Care Insurance and more.

Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance is the amount of one times the annual salary (no greater than $70,000) is provided for all FT employees. Additional coverage is available for purchase through payroll deductions for employee and eligible dependents.

Retirement Benefits - Membership in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System (NCLGERS) is a requirement for all full-time and regular part-time employees (working more than 1,000 hours annually). Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed.

Time Off Accruals:
Vacation Time – Annual Leave is accrued based on years of service. Employees can accrue from 10-25 days per year.

Sick Time – All County full time employees earn 12 days of sick leave per year.

County Observed Holidays – Alamance County will observe the State of North Carolina Holiday Schedule.

Wellness Benefits & Programming:
Employee Assistance Program: There are times when everyone needs a little help or advice. The confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through a local provider can help you with things like stress, anxiety, depression, chemical dependency, relationship issues, legal issues, parenting questions, financial counseling and dependent care resources. Best of all it's free for County employees and available for your household to utilize. Utilization of the EAP is completely confidential and participation isn't recorded.
Help is available 24/7/365 by telephone.

Alamance County Employee Health Center: Available to employees and spouses who are covered under the Alamance County Insurance Plan and their covered dependents, 18 years of age and older. Retired employees under age 65 are also eligible to use the health center. Depending on insurance coverage elected, care at the clinic ranges from free to a fair market value cost.

Services Available:
Treatment of injuries or illnesses such as flu, sinus Infection, pink eye, sprains, strains or fever.
Monitor chronic conditions (Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Health Disease, Asthma, etc...)
Assistance with finding a Primary Care Provider
Health Education and Counseling
Triage and referrals to specialists when appropriate.

Alamance County provides a variety of additional benefits including bereavement pay, Paid Parental Leave, Wellness Leave to focus on work-life balance initiatives, Volunteer Time Off (paid time) opportunities to be a part of the Alamance Community, to opportunities for professional certification pay.

Employee Fitness Center:
Alamance County encourages all employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle both at home and at work. In support of this philosophy an Employee Fitness Center is available for all County employees to use at their convenience during non-work hours and is open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday-Sunday. This center includes weight training equipment, cardio equipment, a small aerobics room along with restrooms, changing room and lockers.

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