About the Department

The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE) promotes and protects the health and environment of Pueblo County through prevention strategies, advocacy, partnerships, and leadership. We continually strive to ensure a thriving, healthy, and safe community. Each employee contributes to the implementation of the Strategic Plan and is important to the achievement of the mission.

Position Summary

The Environmental Health Specialist is responsible for monitoring and analyzing data from various environmental health surveillance programs to identify trends and issues requiring public health interventions. This role involves developing and delivering educational materials and sessions, conducting inspections and evaluations of regulated facilities, and investigating compliance issues in accordance with relevant laws and guidelines.

The specialist will engage with the public and business community to resolve non-compliance issues and provide guidance on public health concerns. They will also foster partnerships with community organizations and government agencies, participate in relevant committees, and respond to public health emergencies as needed.

Key responsibilities include organizing and prioritizing program activities, coordinating team efforts, and ensuring all documentation is complete and secure. The specialist will stay current with evolving sciences and regulations, contribute to the department's strategic goals, and consider cultural, social, and behavioral factors in their work.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as is the ability to work with computer software programs and provide constructive feedback. The specialist will also attend workshops and continuing education programs to maintain their competencies in environmental and public health.

Essential Job Functions

Data Monitoring and Analysis

Monitor and review data from environmental health surveillance programs (zoonoses, lead, swimming pools, food service, water testing, etc.) for trends/issues requiring public health interventions.
Document program activities for planning, guidance, and follow-up of public health conditions.

Education and Outreach

Develop educational materials and presentations related to environmental health programs.
Facilitate and provide educational sessions on environmental health programs.
Work with the public and business community to resolve issues of non-compliance and provide education on public health concerns.

Inspections and Evaluations

Conduct inspections and evaluations of regulated facilities.
Investigate and advise on issues related to program functions (licensing, applications, program procedures/protocols, maintenance issues) in accordance with laws, codes, statutes, and guidelines.
Assure all assigned program documentation, including legal proceeding documentation (evidence, photos), is complete, timely, and secured appropriately.

Public and Community Engagement

Research and respond to public requests for environmental health guidance and support.
Foster working partnerships with community partners and other government agencies.
Participate in environmental health-related committees and community groups as approved.

Program Coordination and Training

Organize and prioritize responsibilities to respond to new and emergent public health issues.
Monitor, plan, and coordinate assigned program activities, including training of team members.
Coordinate program strategies, including scheduling day-to-day activities, field visits, inspections, and team meetings.

Strategic and Regulatory Compliance

Continually contribute to the success of the Department through support of the strategic plan, performance management, and quality improvement.
Ensure consideration of cultural, social, and behavioral factors in the delivery of environmental health information.
Assess evolving sciences and regulations to ensure program standards are up to date through partnerships with regulators (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Colorado Environmental Health Association, Federal Emergency Management Association, Food and Drug Administration, etc.).

Miscellaneous

Perform other functions as required to fulfill the expectations of the position and the goals and objectives of assigned programs/projects and the agency.
Assist in the training of new employees.
Respond to public health emergencies as needed and directed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to adapt style for various audiences.
Ability to engage and collaborate effectively with other personnel and teams.
Experience in working with community partners to build and maintain working relationships.
Ability to provide relevant feedback in an acceptable manner to ensure optimal performance of assigned duties.

Knowledge and Competencies

Knowledge of inclusiveness, social determinants of health, health equity, and health disparities.
Ability to work with current computer software programs with general skill and competence (including keyboarding).

Professional Development

Attend relevant workshops, seminars, conferences, and continuing education programs to maintain environmental and public health competencies.

Qualifications | Requirements

Required

Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, biology, microbiology, chemistry, natural sciences, public health or closely related field from an accredited university or college.
Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license and be able to provide personal transportation for work-related business.
Must obtain annual flu vaccination and any job specific immunizations. May be required to submit to a two-step PPD test.

Preferred

Three years of progressively responsible work experience in an area dealing with direct public contact involving adherence to guidelines/standards.
Master’s degree in environmental health, biology, microbiology, chemistry, natural sciences, public health or closely related field from an accredited university or college.
Ability to read, speak and write in Spanish fluently.

Work Environment | Physical Demands

Work is typically in an office setting, outdoors and in regulated facilities.
Work schedule is typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but position may require work beyond normal work schedule on occasion.
Work is subject to recurring and inflexible deadlines and frequent interruptions.
Employee may be on-call to respond to public health emergencies.
Employee may be allowed, in limited circumstances, to work from home/alternate work site.
Employee may be required to work in an outdoor environment conducting inspections or investigations and during emergency responses in all weather conditions. Exposure to hazardous environments is seldom but may include hot and cold temperatures, noise, gases, fumes and dust, unsanitary conditions, heights and climbing stairs and ladders.
Employee will conduct inspections inside regulated facilities which will require standing, bending, kneeling, lifting, lowering, and carrying up to 50 pounds, reaching and pushing.

Pueblo Department of Public Health & Environment jobs

Environmental Health Specialist