This is a .7 part time position that will have a strong emphasis on job responsibilities within the retail food program.
The position promotes public health by providing essential services of public health within a variety of settings, ensures compliance with a broad range of current local, state, and federal health and environmental codes, regulations and policies; and provides technical assistance and information to the public regarding environmental health issues. Environmental Health Specialists will complete inspections and investigations in assigned environmental health program areas. Work is performed under the general direction of the Environmental Health Supervisor and/or Environmental Health Director. Environmental Health Specialists approach work from a health equity lens to ensure there is an equitable distribution of health resources and services to improve the health of all Rock County residents.
Environmental Health Specialists (EHS) are classified as either an EHS I (entry level, non registered), EHS II (registered), or EHS III (advanced team lead). A person hired at an EHSI would be required to become a certified Wisconsin Registered Sanitarian or NEHA Registered Environmental Health Specialist within 2 years. An EHSIII level position requires a minimum of five years of directly related experience, registration as a Sanitarian or Environmental Health Specialist, and demonstration of leading multiple environmental health programs for multiple years.
75% Assess and Monitor Population Health; Investigate, diagnose, and address health hazards and root causes.- As an Environmental Health Specialist II (EHS II), staff are required to be a Registered Sanitarian or Registered Environmental Health Specialist with multiple years experience/expertise. EHS II responsibilities may include:
- Assisting RS III Staff in completing goals and objectives of various EH programs.
- Development as a subject matter expert in the certain EH programs.
- Assisting with program management including program strategic planning.
- Accurately collecting program data that can be used to evaluate goals and desired outcomes.
- Assist with completing program contract obligations, reports and grant requirements.
- Attending training opportunities to gain subject matter expertise.
- EHS II staff are team members on assigned Environmental Health Programs working with closely with other EHS staff, program team leaders, and supervisors. As EHS II staff gain knowledge and skills, opportunities will be available for EHS II staff to take on increased responsibilities as staff program leads. EHS II staff assure the administration of public health laws and regulations related to environmental health including all state and local laws and ordinances. Staff may be assigned to any of the following tasks depending on individual skills and program demands.
- Serves as a staff lead or team member in environmental health program areas that require inspection of licensed facilities that may include: food establishments, lodging facilities, body art establishments, campgrounds, or mobile home parks. The staff lead in food inspections is annually State certified as a 'Standard' that is responsible for internal standardization of all Department food inspectors.
- Serve as a staff lead or team member responsible for water quality safety and protection including inspection, testing, and sampling of swimming pools, licensed beaches, and recreational surface water.
- Serve as a staff lead or team member that operates a state certified drinking water analysis laboratory, including conducting daily laboratory quality control testing, proficiency testing and preparation for maintaining certifications through state lab audits.
- Serve as a staff lead or team member that conducts the Transient Non-Community public well program as contracted with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Responsibilities include completing annual well system inspections/assessments, sampling wells for required parameters, ensuring compliance with DNR regulations, and conducting enforcement actions as necessary. Staff team lead is also responsible for overall program management and DNR reporting requirements.
- Serve as a staff lead or team member in the Private On-site Wastewater Program (POWTS) which approves septic system designs, evaluated soils for system approvals, inspects POWTS system installations, and conducts a 3-year POWTS maintenance program. Licenses are required for this program, including POWTS inspector and Certified Soil Tester.
- Serve as a staff lead or team member in efforts to evaluate radon air quality concerns. Responsibilities include distribution of radon test kits, evaluation of radon results, consultation with residents, and coordination of the installation of radon mitigation systems.
- Serve as a staff lead or team member in a rabies prevention program that is responsible for required follow-up on all animal bite orders, ensuring that all animals are either properly quarantined or tested for rabies, and coordinating with public health nurses to ensure that animal bite victims are receiving proper care and information. Program responsibilities also include preventative public education and coordination of rabies vaccination clinics.
- Serve as a staff lead or team member on the unwanted prescription drug collection program that coordinates with law enforcement agencies and community coalitions to collect and properly dispose of unwanted drugs in the community, preventing the potential for drug abuse or improper disposal that can contaminate drinking water or surface waters. The team lead manages Rx grant applications and reporting requirements.
- Serve as a staff lead or team member in preventing childhood lead poisoning. Staff are State certified as lead risk assessors. Staff complete home inspections and write lead investigation reports often in response to elevated blood level testing. Staff coordinate with home owners and residents to remedy lead issues and evaluate potential remedial funding sources. Staff work with community partners on lead hazard abatement grants.
- Serve as a staff lead or team member in the surveillance of mosquito and tick-borne diseases through species collection and identification. Staff conduct public education and coordinate surveillance and testing with State and University partners.
- Serve as staff lead or team member in conducting EPCRA Emergency Response Plans under the direction of the Rock County Local Emergency Planning Committee.
- Investigate and follow-up on human health hazard complaints.
10% Communicate effectively to inform and educate. - Utilize and share program data to show environmental health outcomes and track program goals and objectives.
- Assists with developing and writing program policies and protocols.
- Assist with conducting continuous quality improvement assessments on environmental health programs.
- Assist with strategic planning.
- Assists with individual, group, and community educational activities and presentations.
10% Community Contacts- Maintains a professional and effective working relationship with the general public, public agencies, and private agencies.
- Conducts individual, group, and community educational activities and presentations.
5% Perform other duties as assigned. - Performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with job classification and training provided, in response to threats to the public's health.
- Participates in department and community-wide emergency response training and drills consistent with job classification in support of public health emergency and disaster preparedness.
- Supports the development of a future public health workforce by precepting/mentoring students and assisting with the on-boarding of new staff members as appropriate.
- Engages in developmental opportunities related to their role and responsibilities, including health equity and social justice; seeks opportunities to gather and reflect on diverse perspectives; works to address personal implicit biases; and seeks developmental opportunities to work within complex systems.
- Upholds ethical standards for public health practice.
- Performs other duties as assigned, consistent with job classification.
- Maintains confidentiality of protected health information (PHI) of individuals, identifiable data elements and small data sets, including but not limited to only accessing information related to assigned work, utilizing locked filing cabinets, electronic password protection, and encryption when creating, handling and storing documents that contain PHI.
- Participates in the development and implementation of agency and program strategic planning, performance management, and quality improvement.
Knowledge
Developing knowledge of science-based public health principals and techniques including bacteriology, chemistry, biology, epidemiology, and entomology to apply, investigate, and resolve food, water, and vector borne outbreaks, communicable diseases, or illnesses caused by toxic substances.
Developing knowledge of federal, state, and local public health laws, regulations, and ordinances in the field of environmental health.
Knowledge of the Ten Essential Public Health Services Framework.
Knowledge of social determinants of health and root causes of health disparities/health inequities.
Knowledge of the Ten Essential Public Health Services Framework.
Working knowledge of epidemiology.
Skills
Proficiency in relating environmental health science skills to the Core Public Health Functions and Essential Services of Public Health.
Proficiency in relating environmental health science skills to the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals.
Proficiency in the use of intermediate computer skills: email, word processing, use of spreadsheets, visual data analysis.
Abilities
Ability to secure facts through inspection and detailed investigation and interpret the information effectively.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in completing assigned duties and responsibilities.
Ability to effectively communicate with business operators and the general public in a manner that is courteous, professional and supports public health objectives.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Ability to accurately interpret and communicate public health principals and laws.
Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare clear, concise and timely reports.
Ability to promote public health strategies based on the Social-Ecological Model.
Ability to accurately interpret and communicate public health principals and laws.
Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare clear, concise and timely reports.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to meet program specific service levels and goals after a 6-month orientation period.
Ability to deliver targeted, culturally appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand public health promotion, disease prevention, policies, regulations, and public health codes.
Ability to utilize appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial and ethnic, sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities.
- Bachelor's degree in environmental health or related field.
- Minimum two years work experience in a related field.
- Wisconsin Registered Sanitarian or NEHA Registered Environmental Health Specialist (required for EHS II).
- The following certifications are required or expected to perform duties of certain program areas as assigned and are part of ongoing training and staff development as necessary:
- Wisconsin WDATCP Retail Food Standard certification
- Wisconsin DHS Lead Risk Assessor Certification
- Radon proficiency Training
- Wisconsin SPS Certified Soil Tester
- Wisconsin SPS POWTS Inspector
- Certified Pool Operator
- Lab Manager and/or Lab Analyst requirements per NR149 and ATCP 77.
- Completion of required National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) trainings within 6 months of hire.
- Valid driver's license, current certificate of vehicle insurance, and access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations.
- Must be aligned with the mission and philosophy of the public health department.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical - Ability to bend, twist, turn, and reach frequently.
- Ability to sit, walk and stand for long periods of time.
- Ability to grasp, carry, push, pull, and lift objects up to 20 pounds at times.
- Ability to drive a vehicle.
- Access to reliable transportation to fulfill duties of position.
- Level of vision, hearing, and fine motor skills sufficient to read, write, and proficiently use office and computer equipment.
Equipment Use- Ability to independently and fluently use computer and office equipment (telephone, multi-function printers, computers, software systems, and mobile smart phone devices) continuously on a daily basis.
- Ability to proficiently use software programs (Microsoft Office Word, Power Point, Excel, Outlook), data bases (GIS, HHLPSS, RedCap) and project management tools (template workbooks).
Working Conditions- Ability to work varied hours on occasion, including evenings, weekends and overtime (board meetings, partner meetings, community events, and public health emergencies).
- Ability to work in varying office and outside conditions in relation to heat, cold, and varying weather conditions.
- Ability to travel within and outside of the county, including over-night stays, to attend trainings and conferences.
