Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

Identifies problems and solutions to minimize or eliminate hazards that may harm the environment and the population. Inspects and monitors environmental health and safety conditions. Coordinates and implements health and safety programs. Enforces public and environmental health laws and regulations.
This position resides in the Environmental Health Division, Food Protection Bureau. Job responsibilities include conducting regulatory inspections of food establishment businesses, conducting complaint investigations, and performing new establishment plan reviews. Other job assignments include regulatory inspections of temporary mass gathering events, foodborne illness investigations, and mobile food establishment regulation. This job may also be assigned to other environmental health programs, including but not limited to public swimming pools, schools, body art, cosmetology, massage therapy, tanning, and public lodging establishments.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Accident/injury, noise, insect/rodent, and air pollution control, food protection, housing, and public lodging, lead, licensed, and permitted establishments, occupational and radiological health, public health nuisances and sanitation, recreational sanitation, school/institutional safety and sanitation, waste management, wastewater management, quality control, and Zoonosis
• Epidemiology and communicable diseases: causes of foodborne illness
• Biology, microbiology, and bacteriology
• Chemistry
• Geology and hydrogeology
• Pesticides
• Sampling, evidence collection, and laboratory procedures
• Legal, regulatory, and enforcement processes
• Implicit and explicit governmental and community organizations
• Federal, State, local, and Health Department laws related to environmental health
• Report writing and preparation
• Research and statistical methods, data collection and analysis, and data entry and retrieval
• Effective public relations and health education methods and techniques

SKILLS AND ABILITIES TO:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Effectively apply general principles to specific conditions
• Work effectively with people from a variety of social, ethnic, economic, educational, and professional backgrounds
• Defend and follow oral and written instructions, policies, and procedures
• Work with minimum supervision and act independently when appropriate
• Train and motivate others and effect change in ideas and attitudes
• Create and develop new concepts
• Plan and conduct research
• Design, organize, coordinate, and develop programs and policies
• Prepare material for media and community dissemination
• Operate a personal computer, noise meter, sampling and testing equipment, and other program-related equipment
• Respond adequately to problems and utilize problem-solving techniques
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, government, private groups, and individuals
• Deal professionally and tactfully with angry individuals and diffuse hostile situations
  Additional Information:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Considerable walking over rough terrain, bending and kneeling, exposure to adverse weather conditions, and difficult-to-access places. May be required to carry bulky equipment necessary for the performance of various tasks. May involve working around hazardous chemicals and unsanitary conditions.

SALT LAKE COUNTY…A CAREER WITH A PURPOSE IN THE COMMUNITY YOU LOVE!

Salt Lake County invites you to explore our exciting career opportunities. We seek highly enthusiastic individuals to enrich our County with your experience and talent. If you enjoy working in a team environment that is committed to changing the lives of its community, please keep reading.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts inspections and surveys, monitors and investigates places or individuals, and determines compliance with the laws. Issues notices and orders, initiates and negotiates compliance, and follows through with legal action. Delivers closure notices to businesses for non-payment of permit fees, when owners cannot be contacted, or for failure to pay after accruing late fees.
• Develops and maintains cooperative liaison with municipalities, counties, Utah Department of Agriculture, County personnel, and other groups/agencies.
• Acts as a consultant and provides technical assistance related to environmental health issues. Assesses program needs, formulates proposals for solutions, and analyzes effects.
• Investigates disease outbreaks and determines nature, scope, and cause; takes appropriate action to ensure the cause is eliminated.
• Conducts studies and research into causes and solutions to environmental health problems, investigates methods and techniques, and develops and implements strategies for abatement and control.
• Develops and implements public education programs; trains and educates citizens. Works through and with community organizations, governmental agencies, and community leaders to implement and maintain environmental programs.
• Prepares and gives reports; proposes and drafts regulations and procedures dealing with environmental health programs.
• Collects and analyzes samples and specimens for field tests.
• Evaluates and approves plans and specifications, license and permit applications, and planning and zoning referrals.
• Maintains and operates specialized equipment and ensures the equipment is in good repair and properly calibrated, and stored.
• Prepares and responds to emergencies for earthquakes, floods, chemical releases and spills, and biological and other threats.
• Works with legal counsel and testifies as an expert witness in court or administrative hearings.