Environmental Health Specialist

Buncombe County is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist I in the Onsite Wastewater and Well Program. This position will report to the OSWW Environmental Health Supervisor.

This position will be responsible for evaluating properties to determine suitability for private drinking water wells and subsurface wastewater systems. Other duties will include performing final inspections on subsurface wastewater systems and investigating complaints related to failing septic systems.

Our team consists of eight other Environmental Health Specialists and each are assigned to a certain geographical area of the county.

Working hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00-5:00. This is a remote/hybrid position and a Buncombe County vehicle will be provided.

Purpose of the position:
The purpose of this position is to conduct state-mandated inspections of facilities under the jurisdiction of Buncombe County Health and HumanServices (BCHHS) Environmental Health division to ensure compliance with public health laws and rules.

Minimum Education Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):

Graduated with a bachelors degree or postgraduate degree from aprogram accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council or graduated with a bachelors degree orpostgraduate degree and earned a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the physical biological natural life or health sciences; orbachelors degree in public health or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Per NC Local Health Department Accreditation requirements employees in this role must present their diploma degree or transcript to theirsupervisor/department upon hire.

Additional Training and Experience:

Most work-related skills will be developed through in-service and on-the-job training. Educationalrequirements in accordance with Chapter 90A must be obtained each calendar year to renew registration to maintain Registered Environmental HealthSpecialist status.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

Registration is required by the N.C. State Board of Environmental Health SpecialistExaminers under the provisions of Chapter 90A of the General Statues of North Carolina. Required to attend and pass the centralized training providedby the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally must be able to pass state authorization evaluations and test for specificprogram areas in order to perform duties. Also must pass the REHS exam and NEHA within the timeframe established by the Board.

Physical Requirements:

Lifting is considered medium work requiring exertion of up to 50 of force occasionally and/or up to 30 pounds of forcefrequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Position includes ending reaching squatting manual dexterity repetitivemotion and the ability to distinguish colors. Visual acuity is required must have eyesight that allows distinction between an array of colors. Thisposition involves significant standing walking and sitting for extended periods of time. The work is performed in an environment with crisis situationsthat require major decisions involving people resources and property. Must be able to auger a minimum of four feet and remove the auger and itscontents for evaluation.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Enforce applicable state laws rules and ordinances governing well installations and construction private water supplies and on-site wastewaterdisposal 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 mandatedby state laws and rules.

• Evaluate soil and/or sites to determine suitability for sewage disposal systems and/or well location and make recommendations to propertyowners realtors developers and builders.

• Help with inspections of engineered septic tank systems under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Serviceson-site water protection branch.

• Inspect private water supply systems collect water samples and other materials for laboratory tests 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 standardsregarding such supplies are being maintained.

• Investigate a broad spectrum of environmental complaints and health-related nuisances provide recommendations and ensure enforcementprocedures 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 membersof 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 conduct final inspections and authorize the 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 foodborne diseases communicable diseases vectorcontrol 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 regulations records and reports.

• Ability to effectively communicate potential concerns and corrective measures to business and property owners and the consuming publicin 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 andcorrective measures and enforcing public health laws and rules.

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 employees unique experiences opinions and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race natural hair or hairstyles ethnicity creed color sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression national origin or ancestry marital or familial status pregnancy veteran status religious belief or non-belief age or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment hiring assignment promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected addition the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.