Environmental Health Specialist
The COVID-19 Environmental Health Specialist is an entry level public health professional responsible for receiving, tracking, and investigating complaints related to Executive Order compliance in businesses in their district in Fairfax County, Virginia. The incumbent will be expected to gain knowledge, through on-the-job training, about the virus that causes COVID-19, mitigation strategies that reduce the risk of transmission in communities, and Executive Order requirements for businesses and individuals. The incumbent will be responsible for using this information in direct communications with businesses and the public in response to complaints received. The incumbent will also be responsible for preparing correspondence and following up on enforcement actions. All steps of complaint response require documentation, through correspondence, written observations, or data entry into the Virginia Department of Health complaint tracking system.
As COVID-19 is having greater impacts on minorities and communities of color, it is critical for the incumbent to consider equity and culturally appropriate communications in all actions taken to ensure community compliance with Executive Orders and public health guidelines for COVID-19. The employee is expected to follow all established policies and procedures for complaint intake, response, enforcement action, data entry, and follow up activities.
The Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) has been assisting the Fairfax County Health Department with staffing its COVID-19 response effort. The COVID-19 Environmental Health Specialist will be employed by IPHI and deployed to work as a full-time integrated member of the County’s public health workforce.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health, or a Bachelor's degree with at least thirty (30) semester hours of course work in the physical or biological sciences.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must be able to work both onsite at the Fairfax County Health Department and in the community. Candidates must be proficient in the use of mobile phones and computer applications.
Possession of a valid Motor Vehicle Driver's License. Regular access to a vehicle for travel between worksites and businesses within Fairfax County is needed.
This is a temporary position in response to needs resulting from COVID-19. Funding for this position is anticipated through 12/30/2020 but may be extended through 6/30/2021.
This position is designated as essential and is part of the County’s emergency response which operates seven days a week. The regular daily schedule is reporting onsite Monday to Friday 8:30-5:00 pm, however, an alternate schedule, or occasional evening and weekend hours may be required. May occasionally start as early as 7:00 am or work as late as 9:30 pm based on service demand.
COMPENSATION
$31.65 hourly
About the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI)
The Institute for Public Health Innovation is a regional non-profit organization that develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health and well-being across Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. IPHI’s work strengthens health systems and policy, enhances conditions that promote health, and strengthens government and community capacity to ensure equitable health opportunities for all.