Environmental Health Specialist

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

Environmental Health Specialist I: 

• Performs compliance inspections of regulated facilities such as, retail food service establishments, childcare centers, group homes, schools, and swimming pools.    

• Documents all violations, determines compliance with applicable local and state laws and regulations Prepares and maintains inspection reports and other appropriate documents, including but not limited to memoranda, letters, notices of violation and civil penalty notices.   

• Initiates enforcement actions, as necessary, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.   

• Investigates complaints regarding environmental health concerns. Conducts disease surveillance and investigations.  

• Provides and explains educational materials, regulations, policies, and other compliance information to contractors, permit/license holders, consultants and the general public.   

• Responds to consumer complaints, requests for information regarding regulations, procedures, and systems.   

• Participates in professional conferences, and committees to continue learning.   

• Supports higher-level staff with Instructing classes for food service personnel regarding proper handling, storage and preparation of food.  

• Responds to environmental health emergencies such as regulated facility fires, and public health emergencies as needed or required.  

• Ensures that communication is culturally competent and reflective of Health Equity and Environmental Justice principles.  

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 

Environmental Health Specialist II: 

• Conduct and support other team members with scheduled on-site inspections of regulated facilities and businesses to ensure compliance .  

• Identify compliance and violation issues. Establish compliance agreements, monitor compliance, and perform reinspections. 

• Conduct and support other team members with investigations in response to complaints of health and safety concerns in regulated facilities and businesses. Identify compliance and violation issues. Establish compliance agreements, monitor compliance, and determine when re-investigation is necessary to ensure ongoing compliance. 

• Provide information and technical assistance to assist facilities and businesses in obtaining and sustaining compliance. Inform businesses of potential monetary penalties. 

• Participate in environmental and public health emergencies and response activities. Conduct investigations into foodborne illness complaints and disease outbreaks in regulated facilities and business. 

• Prepare inspection documentation and reports. Prepare reports of complaint investigations. Share inspection reports with regulated facility operators. 

• Review applications and construction plans for compliance with applicable public health related codes, regulations, and standards. 

• Collect fees and issues permits and licenses. 

• Assist and collect field samples and related public health data including biological and zoonotic samples for trend analysis or laboratory research.  

• Conduct disease surveillance, case investigations, contact tracing, and identification of outbreak prevention measures and interventions. 

• Serve as liaison with business owners, contractors, permit/license holders, consultants, interest groups, public, interest groups, and the public. 

• Provide and explain educational materials, regulations, policies, and other compliance information. Respond to consumer inquiries and requests for information. 

• Instruct or support classes in a variety of environmental health topics. Support higher-level staff with providing training, education and outreach to the community. 

• Support higher level staff with developing and implementing program changes improvements. 

• Represent the county in legal actions involving environmental health concerns and enforcement actions associated with assigned areas of practice. 

• Provides training for current and new inspectors related to their assigned program areas and expertise.  

• Ensures that communication is culturally competent and reflective of Health Equity and Environmental Justice principles. 

• Participates in conferences and committees to remain current on Environmental Health issues. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Specialist I 

• Experience: No experience required 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree 

Specialist II 

• Experience: Two years directly related work experience 

• Education: Bachelor's degree  

Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health, Environmental  Science, or a related field. 

• Master's degree in Environmental Health or Public Health 

• Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) in training by National Environmental Health Association 

• Industry-specific Knowledge: Familiarity with local, state, and federal laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to environmental health through direct work experience . 

• Technical Skillset: Strong written and oral communication; independent critical thinking and analysis; ability to understand  laws, regulations and policies; proficiency in time management and prioritization. 

• Soft Skillset: Team-oriented, self-motivated, reliable; ability to articulate information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences. 

• Additional: Bilingual in Spanish (speaking and writing). Candidates must successfully pass retail food inspection standardization and County required training(s) within one year of hire. 

Additional Job Information:  

• Criminal History and MVR Background Checks are required for every position. 

• Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references. 

• In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.  

• All Jefferson County Employees must apply through their internal profile. 

• Colorado Driver's license within 90 days of hire. 

• Compliant with the Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) immunization policies at the time of hire and on-going throughout employment with JCPH.

• Ability to pass a pulmonary function test. Fit tested for proper N-95 or equivalent mask. 

APPLICATION: 

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must submit an online employment application by 11:59PM on the posted cut-off date. Follow this link to apply now: Jefferson County Colorado Career Opportunities