• Job Description

  Req#: R04654
  This job posting expires at 11:59PM on June 18, 2025. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on June 18, 2025.

  Job Title: Environmental Health Specialist I

  Department: Health - Community Protection and Preparedness

  External Hiring Range: $27.58 - $32.20

  Compensation Grade: 2008

  Pay Range: $27.58 - $38.61

  Posted Internally and Externally

  Buncombe County offers in-office, hybrid, and remote positions. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.

  The Environmental Health Division is responsible for enforcing North Carolina laws and regulations to protect public health and the environment in Buncombe County. The NC Department of Health and Human Services provides technical support and delegates regulatory authority to our team.

  This position involves conducting routine inspections, responding to complaints, and performing follow-up visits in a variety of program areas, including Food, Lodging, Institutions, Public Pools, Tattoo Establishments, Childcare Centers, and School Sanitation. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed. You’ll be part of a dedicated team of 16 Environmental Health Specialists.

  The expected start date is between July 14 and July 28.

  This is a remote position and does not require daily reporting to an office. However, shared office space is available if needed. In accordance with Buncombe County's remote work policy, employees must reside within a two-hour radius of the office.

  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 Human Services (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 bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree in Environmental Health from a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council

  or

  Graduated with a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree and earned a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences

  or

  Bachelor’s 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 their supervisor/department upon hire.

  
  Additional Training and Experience:

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

  
  License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

  Registration is required by the N.C. State Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners under the provisions of Chapter 90A of the General Statutes of North Carolina. Required to attend and pass the centralized training provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, must be able to pass state authorization evaluations and test for specific program areas in order to perform duties. Also, must pass the REHS exam 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 force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Position includes bending, reaching, squatting, manual dexterity, repetitive motion, and the ability to distinguish colors. Visual acuity is required, must have eyesight that allows distinction between an array of colors. This position involves significant standing, walking, and sitting for extended periods of time. The work is performed in an environment with crisis situations that require major decisions involving people, resources, and property.

  Essential Functions of the position:

  • Enforce compliance with state, local, and federal environmental and public health laws, and regulations.

  • Investigate environmental related complaints, health related nuisances, and reports of foodborne illness and contaminated food to prevent the spread of communicable disease.

  • Perform routine inspections, visits, and critical violation visits to ensure that food and lodging facilities, swimming pools, institutions, childcare centers, schools, tattoo artists and lead investigations are meeting standards as mandated by state laws and rules to reduce the incidences and threat of food borne illness, lead hazards, and other communicable disease.

  • Seek corrective actions where needed and educate managers, operators and staff of various facilities and establishments on safe handling processes and sanitation procedures.

  • Keep accurate and detailed inspection records as mandated by the state that include the violation observed, food code citation, and method of correction.

  • Assist EPI team and other staff in the event of a foodborne outbreak.

  • Seek legal remedies under the advice of the program supervisor and division director to abate health nuisances or prosecute individuals for failure to comply with public health laws and rules.

  • Perform other related duties as assigned

  Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Working knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as a complete understanding of the concepts of public health law.

  • Working knowledge of the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems, food sanitation, food borne diseases, communicable diseases, vector control, protection of water supplies, solid waste management, lead hazard identification and institutional sanitation as applicable to area of assignment.

  • Working knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques as applied in environmental health.

  • Working 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 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 public in matters related to protecting and promoting public health.

  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with a wide range of the public while enforcing public health laws and regulations.

  In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

  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 employee's 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 classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

• About the company

  Nestled in between the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains lies a serene treasure that is Buncombe County. We have been here for more than 200 years and are named after Col. Edward Buncombe, a Revolutionary War hero.

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