Environmental Health Specialist en Olmsted County, MN

About the Department

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental health, public health, physical, biological or sanitary sciences, or closely related field and three (3) years of substantially similar experience as listed in the work functions. Must be able to work non-standard hours including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed to support the department during emergencies.

OR

Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health or closely related field and two (2) years of substantially similar experience as listed in the work functions. Must be able to work non-standard hours including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed to support the department during emergencies.

Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver's license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years. 

Required Special Qualifications:

Must have obtained current State of Minnesota certification as a Registered Sanitarian.

Position Duties

Under minimal supervision, and as part of the Environmental Health team, assists businesses, residents and visitors of Olmsted County in identifying and developing policies, training, and systems that address public health risk and safety conditions associated with food, drinking water, housing and recreational environments.  Conducts and coordinates inspections required for the enforcement of State, County and local ordinances, rules, and regulations relating to environmental health.  This position is a senior level staff member who is responsible for more complex work assignments than Sanitarians and Sanitarian Apprentices.  Duties include preparation for and response to outbreaks of disease, public health emergency situations and other duties as assigned. Supports a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Minimum Qualifications

• Conducts assessments of licensed facilities and assists managers to assess and improve policy/procedure, training and verification systems of operation to reduce health and safety risks.  Assessment includes inspection for compliance with minimum sanitary requirements 
• Interacts with and advises business clients and the public 
• Completes necessary documentation related to assessments and complaints, and assists with completing various departmental reports 
• Troubleshoots and finds ways to resolve complex situations that are not responding to usual processes and communications 
• Investigates complaints concerning all areas of environmental health and takes the necessary steps for resolution or abatement, including referral to other agencies 
• Mentors and assists other staff in training and professional development 
• Identifies potential enforcement situations and consults management for advice 
• Leads workgroups and initiatives involving other professional staff (Sanitarians, Sanitarian Apprentices) 
• Obtains and interprets information regarding  health risks, laws and services 
• Assists community event organizers to develop plans to safely operate special event infrastructure including drinking water supplies, camping facilities, waste disposal, and food service
• Coordinates efforts with other public and private agencies concerned with the prevention and control of environmental health problems
• Identifies, interprets and implements public health law, regulation and policies 
• Assists the Environmental Health team in planning timely and effective administration of programs and services
• Assists Environmental Health team to assess the community's environmental health and safety risks, and develop strategic priorities
• Works with local governing bodies and agencies on matters related to environmental health, and environmental health practice
• Contributes to outbreak investigations and other emergency response situations/exercises 
• Supports the department during emergency situations 
• Performs related duties as assigned

Other Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices as related to the recognition, elimination and control of environmental health hazards
• Thorough knowledge of the nature and scope of environmental health services
• Considerable knowledge of the controlling health laws, rules and regulations
• Knowledge of basic sciences including environmental public health, epidemiology, microbiology, biostatistics and risk communication
• Skill in verbal communication, providing consultation, developing recommendations and public speaking
• Significant ability to collect data/information in a systematic and comprehensive manner, identify appropriate interventions, develop strategies that achieve goals and implement or assure implementation of strategies
• Ability to inspect and investigate
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to support and adhere to departmental policies and procedures
• Ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable with work assignments and effectively organize and manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision
• Ability to remain calm under stressful or emergency situations
• Ability to communicate in a clear, tactful and courteous manner using effective listening and speaking skills
• Ability to document inspections, complaints and other reports in a comprehensive and clear manner
• Ability to take a leadership role in designing, planning, organizing and implementing project work through effective guidance and coordination of other professionals (Sanitarians and Sanitarian Apprentices)
• Ability to mentor and assist other staff in training and professional development
• Ability to work well with others, establish and maintain effective working relationships and provide quality customer service to coworkers, business clients, representatives of other agencies and the general public and work with established networks toward common goals
• Ability to interpret and explain departmental regulations, requirements and activities to individuals, officials and groups
• Ability to analyze potential environmental health hazards including assessing complex situations, seeking multiple perspectives, gathering more information and identifying key issues that need to be addressed
• Ability to defuse potential problem situations through early recognition and conflict negotiation

Persons with disabilities: the above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: In compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the Physical and Environmental Demands: