Environmental Health Specialist

The Health Department is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) in the Bureau of Environmental Health Protection. The EHS is responsible for conducting environmental health assessments, complaint investigations, inspections, and enforcement activities for several environmental health programs.  These programs include mobile home parks, residential housing health hazards, public bathing places, vector control, and lead hazard control.
 
 This position requires daily travel within Chester County. A reliable personal vehicle, valid driver's license and automobile insurance are required. Mileage will be reimbursed in accordance with County policy. Current PA Criminal Record and Child Abuse Clearances are required..

Environmental Health Specialists in the Housing, Vector, and Pools Division are responsible for conducting inspections, plan review, complaint investigations, surveillance, control treatments, and enforcement activities for several environmental health programs.  These programs include healthy homes, lead hazards, mobile home parks, mosquito-borne disease control, and public bathing places programs.

• Perform site inspections, investigations, and surveillance activities.
• Prepare, distribute, and maintain records of inspections and investigations.
• Enforce regulations and complete enforcement actions.
• Conduct mosquito control treatments to reduce populations when needed.
• Maintain program inventory, equipment, and supplies.
• Review architectural and engineering plans and specifications.
• Provide administrative assistance to supervisor.
• Maintain a professional public image.
• Communicate with municipal officials.
• Educate the public on regulatory, technical, and program services.
• Train and assist new staff during development.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, environmental health, biological sciences, public health, or related field.   Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• PA Public Pesticide Applicator Certification (Core & Category 16) or obtain licensure within the first three months of employment.
• Maintain PA Public Pesticide Applicator Certification (Core & Category 16), including completion of continuing education courses and technical training.
• Ability to conduct investigations/inspections in rough terrain and/or under adverse environmental conditions.
• Knowledge/training of environmental health principles.
• Knowledge/training of public health vectors, rodents, insects, and ectoparasites.
• Knowledge/training of code enforcement and the ability to interpret and apply regulations and code.
• Strong interpersonal, customer service, and public relations skills.
• Ability to follow office policies and procedures.
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of county management.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic skill to use a personal computer and various software packages.
• Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives. 
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle on a daily basis is required.

 
Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• One or more years of job-related experience.
• Registered Sanitarian or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with any US State or the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
• Training and certification as a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and Certified Pool Inspector (CPI) by the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) or as an Aquatic Facilities Operator (AFO) by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
• Knowledge/training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Knowledge/training of arboviruses, mosquito biology, life cycle, and potential for disease transmission.
• Knowledge/training of indoor air quality standards, lead as a public health concern, water quality and treatment, backflow prevention, and onlot septic systems.
• Knowledge/training of safe handling and application of pesticides.
• Strong professional ethics.
• Able to use common sense and understanding to carry out verbal and written instructions.               
• Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems.
• Strong time management skills.
• Ability to establish priorities and remain focused on daily operations.
• Accurate and detail oriented.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Able to carry tasks to completion.
• Flexibility. Must adapt easily to changes in the work environment.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic to intermediate Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint skills
• Basic Computer and internet skills
• General knowledge and basic skill with ArcView

 
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach above shoulder height, climb stairs, drive a vehicle during working hours, and talk or hear.  Occasionally, the employee may need to lift up to 40 pounds.  Occasionally, the employee will need to sit; work with arms above shoulders; bend at the waist; kneel, stoop crouch or squat; lift or carry items; and smell.  On rare occasions, the employee may need to crawl, climb ladders, push items, twist or rotate at the waist, and work with an uncommon level of noise.  
 
The special vision requirements listed for this position are:

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less).
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).
• Ability to adjust focus of the eye to bring an object into sharp focus.

 
Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
• Outdoor work is performed in a variety of environmental conditions.
• Travel is conducted in a county or personal vehicle.

 
Other:

• Ability to work extended hours, as necessary.
• This position requires professionalism.
• Confidentiality is crucial to this position.

Salary : $27