Environmental Health Associate at Caldwell County, NC – Lenoir NC

The primary purpose of the Environmental Health Department is to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare by enforcing state laws, rules, regulations and local ordinances pertaining to Environmental Health and Sanitation.

This is an intermediate level position that performs work in the promotion of public health through surveillance, consultation, inspection, and enforcement of state, local, and federal environmental health laws and regulations. Basic work objectives center on supporting professional level Environmental Health Specialists, Environmental Health Program Coordinators, Environmental Health Program Specialists, and Environmental Health Supervisors. Employees may have limited responsibilities in a variety of different environmental health program areas or in a single environmental health program area. Work is performed under the general supervision of an environmental health specialist. Employees are expected to stay up to date on current procedures, policies, statutes and rules through continuing education and contact with the Environmental Health Section of the NC Division of Public Health.

Public Health is a first responder agency for natural disasters (e.g. hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, winter storms), naturally occurring infectious disease outbreaks (e.g. influenza, SARS), technological hazards (hazardous materials releases, critical infrastructure disruptions), and terrorist incidents. This position, like all other positions within the Department, may be required to participate in any emergency response activities as deemed necessary by the Health Director or his/her designee. Availability during emergencies and exercises is required. Appropriate ICS courses will be completed as assigned for position.

Employees in this classification may perform all the following duties, under the direct supervision of a registered environmental health specialist in accordance with rules adopted by the Commission for Public Health and by NCGS § 90A:

(a) Permitting and inspections of private water wells.

(b) Inspections of Category I food establishments, temporary food establishments, and

limited food service establishments.

(c) Inspections of lodging establishments.

(d) Permitting and inspections of any Type II or Type III on-site wastewater systems, including

layouts and existing wastewater systems.

(e) Inspections of migrant housing.

(f) Inspections of private, public, and religious schools.

(g) Inspections of local confinement facilities.

(h) Inspections of residential care facilities

Graduated with an associate, bachelor's, or postgraduate degree from a program that is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) and satisfactorily completed general and specialized instruction and training in environmental health approved by the Department. Graduated with an associate, bachelor's, or postgraduate degree and earned minimum of 15 semester hours in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences and satisfactorily completed general and specialized instruction and training in environmental health approved by the Department: or an equivalent combination of training and experience.