ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST 3* - 02252025-65695

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION, MCMINN COUNTY

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Overview

Responsibilities

1. Inspects Tennessee establishments for compliance with state environmental health standards.
2. Evaluates health conditions during on-site inspections of food service establishments, bed and breakfasts, organized campgrounds, public swimming pools, hotels, motels, body piercing shops, tattoo parlors, state correctional facilities, child care centers and school buildings.
3. Identifies improper food handling procedures and potential sources of food contamination based on risk factors likely to cause foodborne illness.
4. Inspects equipment, structures or materials to identify the cause of violation and other problems or defects.
5. Exams tattoo or body piercing work stations to ensure proper storage and maintenance of equipment such as autoclaves and safe hygienic practices.

1. Evaluates food samples and sterilization procedures for Tennessee establishments in order to minimize potential sources of contamination.
2. Identifies the time periods of spore test records to ensure tests are conducted according to state guidelines and by an approved laboratory.
3. Compares titrated water samples against pH scales to ensure the pH and alkalinity levels are within state guidelines for public swimming pools.
4. Conducts mandated, risk based inspections in assigned territory.

1. Handles complaints, settles disputes and resolves grievances and conflicts or otherwise negotiates with others.

1. Collects avian specimens and prepares for testing/analysis at the lab.
2. Collects and transports rabies specimens to the lab for analysis.

1. Asks relevant questions of the owner/operator/person in charge to ensure compliance with all applicable state rules and regulations.
2. Interviews individuals to determine the nature of suspected violations and to obtain evidence of violations.
3. Searches for establishments that must be regulated in order to bring them into compliance.
4. Collects basic information concerning complaints in our mandated programs (public pools, food service establishments, hotels, etc.).
5. Collects information concerning animal bite investigations from various sources.
6. Collects information on food borne outbreaks from various sources.

1. Trains and teaches operators/owners, persons in charge, the risk-based approach in order to be in compliance.
2. Conducts monthly scheduled training for food service handlers in risk-based procedures.
3. Conducts bi-annually/quarterly training for tattoo artists and body piercing technicians on current rules and regulations.

1. Prepares written supplemental reports to describe violations and explain corrective recommendations.

1. Communicates with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

1. Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintains them over time.

1. Organizes the assigned territory to maintain efficiency and completion during each inspection cycle.
2. Organizes events such as rabies clinics and temporary events (fairs, organized festivals, etc.).

1. Utilizes computers to enter and process data and research new technology.

1. Provides information to supervisors and co-workers by telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.

1. Performs day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
2. Completes required documentation for travel and/or field use of vehicle (i.e., mileage logs, travel time, vehicle inspection checklists, etc.).

1. Keeps up-to-date technically and applies new knowledge to job.

Competencies (KSA's)

Knowledge:

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Clerical
4. Communications and Media
5. Customer and Personal Service
6. Education and Training
7. Food Production
8. Law and Government
9. Mathematics

Skills:

1. Active Learning
2. Active Listening
3. Critical Thinking
4. Learning Strategies
5. Mathematics
6. Monitoring
7. Reading Comprehension
8. Science
9. Speaking
10. Writing
11. Coordination
12. Instructing
13. Negotiation
14. Persuasion
15. Service Orientation
16. Social Perceptiveness
17. Complex Problem Solving
18. Operations Monitoring
19. Quality Control Analysis
20. Troubleshooting
21. Systems Analysis
22. Systems Evaluation
23. Time Management

Abilities:

1. Category Flexibility
2. Deductive Reasoning
3. Inductive Reasoning
4. Mathematical Reasoning
5. Memorization
6. Number Facility
7. Oral Comprehension
8. Oral Expression
9. Problem Sensitivity
10. Selective Attention
11. Time Sharing
12. Written Comprehension
13. Written Expression
14. Extent Flexibility
15. Stamina
16. Hearing Sensitivity
17. Near Vision
18. Night Vision
19. Peripheral Vision
20. Speech Clarity
21. Speech Recognition

Tools & Equipment

1. Personal Computer
2. Telephone
3. Fax Machine
4. Printer
5. Scanner
6. Copier
7. Calculator
8. Electronic Devices
9. Smart Phone
10. Thermocouple
11. Pool Test Kit
12. Maximum Register Thermometer
13. Flashlight
14. Test Strips (pH and sanitizing)

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.