Environmental Health Specialist I in Divide, Colorado at Teller County Government

Teller County's Department of Public Health and Environment is currently seeking a full time Environmental Health Specialist I to assist the Environmental Health Specialist II with ensuring compliance with Federal, State and County ordinances, laws and guidelines pertaining to environmental health quality and public health; advises Environmental Health Specialist II and Deputy Director of Public Health & Environment on matters pertaining to environmental and public health; plans, develops and recommends for adoption by the Teller County Board of Health practices and procedures designed to protect life, health, safety and improve the quality of life for residents in Teller County.

What You'll Do:

Assists Environmental Health staff with Retail Food Establishment (RFE) inspections, including camps, schools and childcare facilities, to ensure compliance with all State rules and regulations. Conduct RFE Plan Reviews, administer annual licensing & renewals, administer Civil Penalty notifications. Conduct Food Borne Illness/outbreak investigations, investigate complaints, and provide general food safety information. Assist with food safety courses as needed.

Ensure compliance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requirements for locating, monitoring, and reporting zoonotic disease occurrences, including plague, hantavirus and rabies. Assure all lab specimens related to zoonotic investigations, such as bats, cats, and dogs are sent to appropriate lab and response with the results in collaboration with the communicable disease nursing staff. Respond to industry, residents and Public Health in zoonotic related concerns, investigations, and education.

Assists with plan review, issuing permits, conducting soils analysis and inspections for the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) program, variance processes, transfer of title, code enforcement, and be responsive to customers as related to local regulations. and conduct OWTS Regulations revisions and adoption through the Board of Health as required. Assist with regulatory compliance and reporting to CDPHE for Teller County Wastewater Utilities. Respond to and verify complaints and issue corrective orders to ensure compliance. Assist with Teller County’s short-term-rental (STR) compliance if applicable.

Review plans for Land Use Applications and collaborate with various County departments as needed.

Respond in coordination with Public Health & Environment and the Office of Emergency Management on issues/incidents related to bioterrorism, natural disasters and the response of hazardous substances release, characterization, recommend remediation actions, and ensure reporting compliance pursuant to all Federal State and local rules and regulations.

Responsible for participation in the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) pursuant to Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act, as Title III of the Superfund Amendments & Reauthorization Act of 1986 and any other committees necessary. Responsible for collaboration with the Office of Emergency Management to ensure annual compliance with Tier II facility hazardous substance reporting and recordkeeping and any other reporting and recordkeeping required by Federal, state and local rules and regulations.

Engage in environmental health education through group presentations, media articles and individual contacts as needed.

Serve as needed on various public health and environmental advisory boards and committees; serve as member of an emergency preparedness team and attend meetings when required.

What You'll Bring:

Education/Experience:

• Associates degree in environmental health or related field: preferably a science-based background but other relevant disciplines may be considered;
• One (1) year of related experience
• Any acceptable combination of education, training and experience that provides the listed knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted.

You should also have the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Environmental disease transmission, food safety, wastewater and water quality and principles of environmental health and safety; hazardous substances including any substance, material, waste or mixture designated as a hazardous material, waste or substance according to 49 Code of Federal Regulation Part 172; biological, radiological and chemical analysis; sample collection and laboratory methodologies; principles and processes for providing excellent customer service, including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skilled in: Operating and maintaining monitoring and detection equipment; understanding of the principles, practices, laws, codes and guidelines of environmental quality and public health; use of basic computer software programs; understanding and applying pertinent laws, rules, regulations and policies; using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines; maintaining confidentiality; organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines and following up on assignments with minimum direction and supervision; applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; understanding, interpreting and communicating complicated policies, procedures and protocols; working in a deadline driven environment; initiating and responding to medium volume of daily calls/contact; interacting with all levels of internal and external professionals while developing strong productive relationships; designing strategies, analyzing results and making recommendations; organization and time management.

Ability to: prepare accurate reports; communicate effectively in writing and verbally; establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with co-workers, other county departments, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and the public; maintain confidentiality and discretion; be a self-starter; successfully accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously while working independently or within a team environment; work with minimal supervision; interact with a variety of people, cultures, problems and circumstances; analyze and resolve problems involving several variables; understand and carry out written and oral instructions, giving close attention to detail and accuracy.

Additional Details About the Role:

Visual Acuity/Hearing/Speaking: Must be able to write and read; able to hear, see and speak.

Physical Effort/Dexterity: This position works in a combination of an office setting and in the field with daily routine computer usage; requires the ability to drive a vehicle; some physical exertion and the normal range of motion and dexterity; ability to sit (sometimes for extended periods of time), stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, crawl or climb; ability to lift, pull or drag up to 60 lbs. for short periods of time; ability to physically maneuver in building sites and take samples from water and sewage sites.

Environmental Factors: May require exposure to adverse conditions; such conditions include dirt, noise, rain, snow, and extremes of temperatures; may require exposure to biohazard agents, toxic or caustic chemicals; work may require employees to wear personal protective equipment.

Work Schedule/Characteristics: 40 hours per week; availability outside normal business hours to include weekends and holidays may be required for emergency environmental investigations and routine inspections for special events.

License/Certification Requirements: Possession of and ability to maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license; possession of National Incident Management System (NIMS) training IS 100, 200, and 700. Obtain CPR certification within 3 months of hire.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary range: $31.45 - $33.11 / hour

Status: Full-time, Non- Exempt

Location: Divide, CO, on site

When it comes to benefits, Teller County is committed to offering a comprehensive, affordable benefits package that meets the needs of our employees and their families.

· Two Meritain Aetna health plans to choose from –the County pays 50% to 100% of the premium depending on the plan you choose.

· HSA plan – the County contributes $1,250 for employee only and $2,500 for employee plus one or more dependents.

· Telehealth/Teledoc options – access quality healthcare from the comfort of your home, during your lunch break or while traveling.

· Dental, Vision and Prescription drug coverage.

· Basic and voluntary life coverage.

· 401a retirement plan – employees contribute 4% and the County matches 8%. You are fully vested in five years.

· 457b deferred comp plans – both pre- and post-tax options available.

· Time Off: Paid vacation, sick, 12 holidays, 1 floating holiday.

· Aflac, wellness programs, EAP, education assistance, employee discounts, uniform allowance.

Click here to review our full benefits package.

Applications accepted until: 4:00pm Tuesday, July 28, 2026