Summary: The purpose of this position is to promote and monitor public and environmental health programs and contracts; to promote community health and wellness; to provide environmental consultation and technical assistance to the Health Department, the Board of Health, County Board of Supervisors, Emergency Management Director, the public and other Polk County staff as needed; and to enforce all applicable federal, state, and local ordinances and other regulations related to environmental, public health, and safety in Polk County. The work is performed under the direction of the Public Health Director.

Essential Duties: These duties represent the typical duties and responsibilities assigned to this position but may not be inclusive of all tasks performed. Performs these duties under the supervision and licensure of Polk County RS/REHS.

· Assigned as agent of the state for the State of Wisconsin – Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) as an inspector for licensed/licensable facilities. Provides education to local operators on the principles of food and water safety and other sanitary practices for permanent and temporary event operations.

· Collects and analyzes water samples as required by environmental contracts: DNR transient non-community well water program. Facilities are inspected and enforced according to code compliance (NR812). This program has direct oversite by DNR.

· Serves as the laboratory assistant for water sample analysis to ensure compliance with NR149 and ATCP 77. Responsible for following county ordinance, policy and procedures for program operations, completing training & continued education as a lab assistant.

· Enforces Human Health Hazard Ordinance. Responds to community complaints and conducts investigations and follow-up visits related to items included in the County’s Human Health Hazard Ordinance to assure compliance.

· Participates in the Public Health Emergency Plan and responds to public health emergencies as needed. Participates in Department and community emergency response training and drills consistent with job classification in support of public health emergency and disaster preparedness.

· Responds to public complaints and inquiries on environmental or public health matters. Educates the public on environmental health issues and the public health rationale for environmental health regulations.

· Education and outreach to the health/safety concerns associated with well water results for individuals consuming water from private well water systems and/or Radon within a home.

· Education and follow-up conducted in accordance with individual results. Investigates outbreaks of foodborne and water-related communicable diseases.

· In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative, respectful, and comply with privacy, HIPAA, and public record requirements when dealing with the public and regulated entities. Establishes and maintains cooperative and effective working relationships with coworkers, customers, county employees, supervisors, agencies and public officials.

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties as assigned and unit/departmental back-up and support.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will have the following:

Obtain a Wisconsin Registered Sanitarian/Environmental Health Specialist license within 2 years of hire.

Preferred qualifications include:

· A baccalaureate or higher degree in environmental health, physical, or biological sciences from an accredited college or university with academic credits in physical, biological, chemical, environmental or environmental health areas.

· A baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 2 years of full-time equivalent employment in the field of environmental health. Have two or more years of full-time, paid experience working in environmental health.

Eligible areas of environmental health experience include: general environmental health (including inspections, environmental microbiology, and contamination control), food protection, wastewater, solid and hazardous waste, potable water, inspections of facilities, vectors and pests, institutions and licensed establishments, swimming pool inspections, radiation, occupational safety and health, healthy housing, indoor air quality, disaster and emergency planning, and environmental health issues related to climate change. Experience must be completed within the last 5 years.

Minimal qualifications include:

· A baccalaureate or higher degree in any subject with a minimum of 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of college credit in basic science coursework and earned credit for a college level math or statistics class. Basic sciences include life sciences, natural sciences, physical sciences, or health sciences.

Valid motor vehicle operator’s license is required.

Competency Requirements:

· Integrity/Honesty - Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.

· Superior Customer Service and Community Relations - Anticipates and strives to meet the needs of both internal and external stakeholders (employees, contracted staff, residents, families, and other internal and external clientele). Delivers high-quality services; is committed to continuous improvement. Interacts with members of the public and key stakeholders in a manner to elicit positive response and participation. Presents information and /or represents the facility's interest.

· Communications – Delivers clear, effective communication and takes responsibility that others understand; uses correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; produces both verbal and written information that is appropriate for the intended audience

· Interpersonal Relations – Develops and maintains effective relationships with others; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; show understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness; maintains a professional and courteous attitude with staff, clients, and the community with special regard to Department confidentiality policies.

· Accountability - Assumes responsibility for successfully accomplishing work objectives and delivering results; setting high standards of performance for self and others

· Judgment and Decision Making – Accurately assesses situations, seeks new information if necessary, and applies all available information to reach sound conclusions/formulate effective response. Requires little guidance for responding to a wide range of complex situations with far-reaching and/or enduring consequences

· Data Gathering and Analysis - Seeks or collects and synthesizes information from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective, unbiased manner to reach a conclusion, goal or judgment

· Organizational Communications - Demonstrates the county and agency's mission and goals through collaboration with key stakeholders and community input and involvement.

· Partnering/Networking –– Demonstrates ability to engage and maintain key stakeholders and the public in necessary partnerships to potentiate reach of the agency as well as improve service delivery

HEALTH DEPARTMENT COMPETENCIES:

· Employees of the Polk County Health Department are expected to have a working knowledge of the Council of Linkages General Public Health Domains. The degree of knowledge will be based on the position and job responsibilities. Annual self-assessment of competency levels is required of PCHD employees. http://www.phf.org/resourcestools/Pages/Core_Public_Health_Competencies.aspx

Physical Requirements:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as operating a variety of medical equipment. May be required to participate in respirator fitting program which may include training and testing with medical provider. Proper fit for respirator or NIOSH 95 mask may include limiting facial hair. Ability to exert moderate but not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. Ability to recognize and identify individual characteristics of colors, shapes, sounds, tastes, odors and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.

Work Environment:

Work performed in the community is sometimes subject to conditions that range from inclement weather to dangerous conditions such as snow/ice, cold, heat, noise, wetness/humidity, vibration, sudden temperature changes, and poor illumination at the job site or due to travel on the job. Travel to and from field locations may subject a worker to an increased risk of driving hazards. Community locations may subject workers to communicable diseases, insects and other disease vectors, toxins, hazardous materials, chemicals, and animals. In all settings, employees in this classification may occasionally need to relate to members of the public who exhibit challenging, atypical, or hostile behaviors and/or communication. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Polk County (WI)

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Environmental Health Specialist