Onsite Wastewater Environmental Health Specialist I
Job Title: Onsite Wastewater Environmental Health Specialist I
Department: Public Health Administration
Hiring Range: $24.96 - $29.13
Job Posting End Date: December 14, 2022
Purpose of the position:
This position conducts state mandated inspections of facilities under the jurisdiction of Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) Environmental Health division to ensure compliance with public health laws and rules.
Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):
Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 semester hours of course work in the physical or biological sciences or a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health from a program which is accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula of the National Environmental Health Association and be eligible to be registered as a Environmental Health Specialist Intern by the NC State Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners within 60 days of employment.
Additional Training and Experience:
Required to attend and pass the centralized training provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and must pass the state authorization evaluation and test to perform duties.
Preference will be given to candidates that are currently registered as a Sanitarian Intern and received a delegation of authority in one or more of the following areas from the NCDHHS-Environmental Health Section: child-care & school sanitation, childhood lead poisoning prevention, food, lodging & institutions, migrant housing, on-site wastewater, public swimming pools, tattoos, and/or private wells.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:
Must have a valid driver’s license and maintain a safe driving record. Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist by the NC State Board of Registered Environmental Health Specialist Examiners under the provisions of Chapter 90A of the General Statues of North Carolina is required within three years of employment; Educational requirements in accordance with Chapter 90A must be obtained each calendar year to renew registration to maintain Registered Environmental Health Specialist status.
Essential Functions of the position:
- Enforce applicable state laws, rules, and ordinances governing well installations and construction, private water supplies, and on-site wastewater disposal systems promulgated by the state.
- Perform inspections and related activities for all new well installations, well repairs, on-site wastewater systems, and system repairs as mandated by state laws and rules.
- Evaluate soil and/or sites to determine suitability for sewage disposal systems and/or well location and make recommendations to property owners, realtors, developers, and builders.
- Provide assistance with inspections of engineered septic tank systems under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, on-site water protection branch.
- Inspect private water supply systems, collect water samples and other materials for laboratory test, interpret test results, inform the applicant, and take appropriate action.
- Keep accurate and detailed inspection records as mandated by the state.
- Serve as a consultant to assist applicants with proper maintenance and protection of water supplies and assure that recommended standards regarding such supplies are being maintained.
- Investigate a broad spectrum of environmental complaints and health related nuisances, provide recommendations, and ensure enforcement procedures are implemented to abate applicable situations.
- Serve as a primary contact and consultant for well drillers, on-site wastewater installers, homeowners, contractors, realtors, and other members of the public on wells, on-site wastewater systems and related groundwater issues
- Design wastewater disposal systems that comply with applicable rules and laws, issue necessary permits, conducts final inspections, and authorize use of the system.
- Provide assistance in investigating outbreaks of illness associated with water supplies and assist with corrective actions to protect public health.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as a complete understanding of the concepts of public health law.
- Knowledge of the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems, food sanitation, food borne diseases, communicable diseases, vector control, protection of water supplies, solid waste management, and institutional sanitation as applicable to area of assignment.
- Knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques as applied in environmental health.
- Knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies involved in environmental health work.
- Ability to accurately interpret and enforce state and local laws, rules, and ordinances.
- Ability to understand and use engineering, technical, and specialized information.
- Ability to analyze and comprehend a variety of technical and administrative regulation, records, and reports.
- Ability to effectively communicate potential concerns and corrective measures to business and property owners and the consuming public in matters related to protecting and promoting public health.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with a wide range of the public while communicating potential concerns and corrective measures and enforcing public health laws and rules.
In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.
Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.
It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition, Buncombe County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.
Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.