ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

at  City of Allentown

JOB DESCRIPTION

Class Title: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
Grade Number: 18M (Non-Exempt)
Department: Community & Economic Development
Bureau: Health
Union: S.E.I.U.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:
(A) Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health, or
(B) Bachelor’s degree which includes a minimum of 30 semester hours/45 quarter hours in the basic sciences, i.e., biology, chemistry, physics, environmental health, other physical or natural sciences or sanitary engineering.
(C) Bilingual Spanish preferred
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
(A) Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of environmental health, chemistry, bacteriology, biology, and math as required.
(B) Basic knowledge of computer use and data entry.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

(A) Possess valid PA driver’s license of the applicable class.
(B) Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian credential preferred.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related test is required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change

GENERAL PURPOSE

This is a professional position in the field of environmental health and public health protection. An employee in this classification performs public health functions such as investigations, inspections, risk assessments, surveillance, risk communication, sampling, as well as regulatory and educational activities in a number of specialized fields. These include food service sanitation, institutional sanitation, environmental protection, housing hygiene, lead hazard investigations, vector control and indoor air pollution.
Assignments require the knowledge and interpretation of local ordinances, state regulations, and Bureau of Health policies. The employee routinely acts independently to complete assignments with the guidance of established policies and protocols, and includes the ability to initiate regulatory action and make technical recommendations where applicable. Supervisory personnel provide general instructions, guidance, and direction. Work is reviewed upon completion for compliance with policy and for adequacy of results.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(A) Plans and conducts sanitation and safety inspections of food service establishments, long term care and child care facilities, public bathing places, and schools.
(B) Reviews facility plans and supporting equipment data of regulated facilities for compliance with applicable health code requirements.
(C) Conducts environmental health investigations in the areas of food protection, vector control, housing hygiene, indoor air, lead paint, noise, environmental pollution incidents, and other health-related complaint categories.
(D) Conducts foodborne disease epidemiological investigations in outbreak cases.
(E) Issues notices of violation, compliance orders, citations, and serves as public prosecutor in the District Court in cases requiring regulatory action.
(F) Performs surveys, inspections and risk assessments to obtain data in order to provide technical recommendations for remedial actions to reduce or eliminate environmental conditions in violation of health codes.
(G) Provide quality and effective customer service with courtesy and understanding to our customers, citizens and internal departments.
(H) Responds to public requests for information and make public presentations on environmental health topics; perform training sessions for personnel in regulated facilities.
(I) Organizes and manages time; works independently to meet program objectives.
(J) Utilizes laptop computers in the field and office to enter data and generate report documentation.
(K) Collects and analyzes data, conducts technical inspections and surveys, and exercises sound judgment in arriving at technical recommendations.
(L) Maintains current awareness of new trends, competencies and practices in the field of environmental health.
(M) Acquires, maintains and demonstrates the public health core competency skill levels listed below:
i. Aware - Policy Development/Program Planning, Financial Planning, Leadership and Systems Thinking
ii. Knowledgeable - Analytic Assessment, Community Dimensions of Practice, Basic Public Health Sciences
iii. Proficient - Communication, Cultural Competency
(N) Performs related work as may be required.