Environmental Health Specialist I/II

Protect Public Health. Serve Your Community. Build Your Career Join El Paso County Public Health as an Environmental Health Specialist and help protect the health and safety of our community. This rewarding role within the Retail Food Establishment Program offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through inspections, investigations, education, and outreach. In this position, you will: • Conduct inspections of restaurants and other regulated facilities • Investigate complaints and foodborne illness outbreaks • Educate businesses and the public on health and safety regulations • Promote compliance with public health standards • Support community outreach and health protection efforts Grow Your Career This role offers a clear career progression path, starting as an Environmental Health Specialist I, advancing to Environmental Health Specialist II, and ultimately providing the opportunity to move into a Lead Environmental Health Specialist position. Along the way, you will build deep expertise in environmental health, public education, and regulatory compliance. If you're passionate about public health, enjoy working with people, and want to make a meaningful difference in your community, apply today and help create a healthier El Paso County. Environmental Health Specialist I Full Salary Range: $55,370.00 - $ 80,410.00 annually Hiring Range: $ 62,801.00 - $ 65,801.00 annually Environmental Health Specialist II Full Salary Range: $59,380.00 - $89,050.00 Annually Hiring Range: $66,801.00 - $70,801.00 Annually Monday -- Friday, 7:30 am -- 4:00 pm or 8:00 am -- 4:30 pm, with occasional travel Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications. Provides environmental health inspections and investigations of public and private establishments and other environmental health related situations to ensure compliance with local and state health and safety codes. Serves as a public and environmental health educator; provides information and performs specialized environmental health work. This position is part of the Environmental Health Specialist career progression series, which includes Environmental Health Specialist I and Environmental Health Specialist II. An employee is eligible to advance to the next position within the series when the employee has met the criteria for advancement as notated within the job description and has received a recommendation from the Hiring Authority. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function. This position may be dependent on variable funding sources, including categorical grants. ## Essential Duties/Responsibilities - Conducts inspections of industrial, commercial, public, or private facilities to ensure continued compliance with public health standards. Notifies owners or operators of deficiencies or violations; maintains records of contacts made and conditions encountered. Performs data entry of inspection results and reports findings to appropriate parties. - Collects environmental health-related samples such as food, air, water, or vectors. - Monitors environmental interfaces of animal to human diseases. - Reviews design plans for the construction of on-site wastewater treatment systems and inspects sites throughout installation process as assigned; reviews soil and site classifications a d approves/disapproves results submitted. - Educates owners, operators, and the public on environmental health issues and regulations. - Prepares written and verbal reports. Enters findings, including daily activities, into electronic database. - Conducts pre-operational inspections for regulated facilities. Investigates routine and non-routine complaints. Provides follow-up action. - Obtains compliance with public health laws and regulations through administrative enforcement procedures. Works with the Division Leadership to expedite enforcement action. - Participates in committees related to program activities and responsibilities. - Participates in community outreach and news media/social media activities to promote health protection and understanding and support of environmental health programs. - Participates in departmental emergency planning and response activities. - Promotes public health within the community. - Takes personal responsibility to provide exceptional customer service in order to promote and maintain a positive Public Health image, constructive working environment, and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community. - Performs other duties as required. Environmental Specialist II: - Assist in presenting educational material regarding environmental health to industry owners, operators, and facilities. - Conducts and coordinates plan reviews and pre-operational inspections for regulated facilities. - Investigates routine and non-routine complaints. Provides follow-up action. - Obtains compliance with public health laws and regulations through administrative enforcement procedures. Works with Program Manager to expedite enforcement action. - Assists in the preparation of legal documents for administrative hearings and further legal action against repeat violators. - Participates in subprogram assignments, such as food borne illness investigations. - Provides support to the Division Leadership for projects, grant opportunities, and other matters pertaining to the Division. - Engages in specialized programs, projects, and research in environmental health science. - Assists in training/mentoring other staff members as assigned. Supervision Exercised: This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area. Supervision Received: Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically. ## ## Qualifications Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - Working knowledge of principles, techniques, practices, and procedures as related to environmental health. - Knowledge, understanding, and compliance of El Paso County and agency policies and procedures. - Skill in prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks and the ability to complete projects in a timely manner. - Ability to learn environmental rules, regulations, and statutes. - Ability to exercise professionalism, tact, and courtesy in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, outside agencies, and the public. Ability to provide excellent customer service. - Ability to respond in a flexible manner and reprioritize work as situations change. - Ability to demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns. - Ability to identify problems and work creatively to resolve them, considering the impact of actions. - Ability to write clearly and concisely an