Missoula County is Seeking an Environmental Health Specialist

POSITION: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I

BASE RATE:   $17.92 PER HOUR

($18.33/hour with sanitarian certification**)

STATUS: REGULAR

SCHEDULE:  FULL-TIME, TWO POSITIONS

DEPARTMENT: HEALTH (Environmental Health)

BARGAINING UNIT: MPEA UNIT #1

CLOSING DATE: 5:00 P.M., 05/20/2008

(**This position Eligible for promotion to Environmental Health Specialist II upon completion of Montana Board of Sanitarians registry.)

 

DEFINITION: Performs technical and professional work in environmental health.

BENEFITS: A detailed list of benefits is available and can be explained during interviews.

REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK: (The following are intended to illustrate typical duties.  They are not meant to be all inclusive nor restrictive.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Inspects restaurants, day cares, schools, youth homes, trailer courts, motels, jails and other establishments or public facilities to ensure compliance with state and local regulations.  Issues septic permits and conducts inspections. Inspects public water supply systems. Conducts site evaluations for individual sewer system installations; assesses soils to determine suitability for sewage treatment and filtration; conducts groundwater tests, evaluates site testing data; approves and evaluates alternate and experimental sewage treatment systems.  Reviews plans for subdivisions and certificates of survey and conducts on-site inspections of proposed developments. Conducts investigations of food, water and animal borne disease outbreaks.  Investigates public complaints and conducts field surveillance of environmental health violations.  Conducts enforcement to ensure compliance with health regulations. Assists other staff in data gathering, enforcement, inspections and sample collection in air and water quality.  Attends meetings as a department representative, provides information to the public, and prepares and delivers public presentations.   

OTHER DUTIES: May respond to hazardous materials releases.  Performs related work as required or directed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES DESIRED:  Working knowledge of the principles and practices of food and waterborne disease control, communicable disease control, epidemiology and environmental health.  Working knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of air and water pollution control, air and water quality, environmental monitoring and compliance inspections. Working knowledge of communicable disease control and epidemiology. Working knowledge of soil science, sewage treatment, public water systems, lab techniques, safe laboratory practices and procedures. Working knowledge of hazardous materials response policies and procedures. Skill in the use of a personal computer (word-processing, database).  Ability to meet the Montana Board of Sanitarians registry requirements (requires 3 credit hours in microbiology) within 12 months of hire. Ability to perform repetitive tasks following established procedures and policies.  Ability to evaluate data, judge its validity and applicability.  Ability to work on ladders and under unfavorable conditions. Ability to communicate effectively in the English language, orally and in writing.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals and groups.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:  Requires occasional physical exertion, bending and working while on a ladder.  Requires walking or climbing over rough uneven surfaces, into manholes and trenches.  Requires lifting, 10 lbs frequently; moving 50-100 lbs occasionally.  Requires exposure to laboratory chemicals; toxic and hazardous materials.  Will require occasional use of protective clothing and equipment, including SCBA.  Requires travel to remote sites, scheduled weekend work and exposure to extreme weather conditions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  A BS/BA degree in the Physical or Biological sciences with a minimum of 40 credit hours in advanced level courses such as chemistry, microbiology, biology, physics, mathematics, geology and computer science. One year of experience working in any of the following fields:  air or water quality monitoring, water pollution, microbiology or chemistry laboratory, air or water quality management, environmental compliance, or sanitarian; OR two years of experience in a field related  to Environmental Health and involving public contact.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Licensed sanitarian desired.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Requires the ability to meet the Montana Board of Sanitarians’ registry requirements within 12 months of hire.  Eligible for promotion to Environmental Health Specialist II upon registration.  Requires valid MT driver’s license and may require the use of personal vehicle with reimbursement.

TO APPLY: by 5:00 P.M., 05/20/08. Postmarks not accepted

Submit a Missoula County 1) application (Get Application Here)

Print out application, fill out, and fax or scan & email with 2) resume, 3) cover letter of interest, and 4) college transcripts to:FAX: 406.258.3299 OR email: mgregg@co.missoula.mt.us

COVER LETTER NEEDS TO INCLUDE:
Volunteer and professional experience and any professional association activities related to environmental health. College transcripts and letter of interest should include your motivation to work in environmental/public health field.

Department of Human Resources
200 West Broadway
Missoula, MT.

Fax: 406-258-4863; phone: 406-258-3299. 

Applicants may request in writing any needed accommodation to participate in the application and selection process. Missoula County will consider any reasonable accommodation. The Missoula County Equal Employment Opportunity Plan and supporting data are on file in the Human Resources office and available for your inspection.