Opening Date: February 21, 2024
Department: St. Joseph County Department of Health
Salary: Up to $54,600/year
Location: 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601 – 8 th Floor
Status: Full Time
Job Category: PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Incumbent serves as Vector/Environmental Health Specialist for the St. Joseph County Department of Health, responsible for conducting on-site inspections, providing information and education to the public, and enforcing federal, state, and local public health and environmental protection laws, rules, and regulations, with specific emphasis on those that pertain to mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests of public health importance.
DUTIES :
Applies pesticides in accordance with product label directives to reduce vector presence, such as (but not limited to) mosquito larviciding of stagnant water and catch basins, ultra-low volume adulticide application, and barrier treatments.
Performs arboviral disease presence tests in mosquitoes and birds within a timely manner in order to quickly abate the health threat to the public.
Inspects facilities and premises for vector control needs assessments. Identifies mosquito problem areas and applies pesticides for mosquito control. Provides consultation and public education concerning methods of vector control.
Inspects sites prior to construction of septic and sewage disposal systems, including conducting soil tests and reviewing landscape features, identifying problems, reviewing, and approving septic designs, and/or taking corrective action as needed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and legal requirements.
Responds to requests, questions, and problems concerning septic systems, wells, and related environmental concerns, providing information and assistance, explaining procedures, conducting inspections, and issuing or denying permits as applicable.
Performs environmental inspections of public and private property, ensuring compliance with public laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations. Provides consultation regarding environmental health and safety issues and solid and hazardous waste inspections.
Conducts, photographs, and documents inspections, determining violations, sending warning letters to responsible parties, and referring violations to law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
Performs lead risk assessments.
Conducts follow-up inspections as required to ensure compliance with code. Provides corrective instruction for violations, conducts additional inspections, and refers violators to law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
Investigates various spills and/or discharges into the ground and/or bodies of water. Works closely with Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) on spill complaints and outdoor air complaints.
Responds to health/sanitation inquiries from the general public and provides related technical advice, including, but not limited to, providing information, referrals, and/or assistance as appropriate.
Maintains accurate and detailed files of all complaints, inspections, and related documents. Completes daily work and mileage reports and monthly/annual reports as required by supervisor and regulating agencies.
Works with personnel from Environment Protection Agency (EPA), IDEM, Indiana Department of Health (IDoH), etc. coordinating services, interpreting, and enforcing health requirements, drafting ordinances and regulations, and providing and requesting work-related information.
Periodically testifies in legal proceedings/court as required.
Incumbent is required to occasionally work extended, evening and/or weekend hours and may travel out of town for meetings/conferences, sometimes overnight.
Serves on 24-hour call for public health emergencies.
Performs related duties as assigned.
I. JOB REQUIREMENTS :
Baccalaureate Degree in environmental science, biology, public health, or related field required.
Ability to meet all hiring requirements including passage of a drug screening.
Possession of and ability to retain possession of certification as a Pesticide Applicator in the State of Indiana.
Thorough knowledge of standard policies and practices of St Joseph County Department of Health, with ability to apply appropriate procedures accordingly.
Thorough knowledge of standard principles and practices of public health protection and disease control, with ability to analyze data related to communicable diseases, disease outbreaks and other community health issues, and to develop plans and procedures for emerging public health threats.
Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing Department of Health operations, with ability to effectively monitor operations, maintain records and files, and draft department policies to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and ability to prepare documents, correspondence, and detailed written reports as required.
Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, copier, telephone, and calculator.
Working knowledge of basic computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, email, and Department-specific software and applications, with ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.
Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County and City departments, IDoH, Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), other government agencies, the University of Notre Dame, Home Builders Association of St. Joseph Valley, the St. Joseph County Onsite Wastewater Advisory Board, engineering firms, soil scientists, contractors, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
Ability to compile, classify, and analyze data, and make data-driven decisions.
Ability to file, post, and mail materials.
Ability to count, compute, and perform arithmetic operations.
Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
Ability to work alone with minimum supervision with others in a team environment.
Ability to plan, coordinate, and organize work assignments and work on several tasks at a time, occasionally under time pressure or amidst distractions.
Ability to apply knowledge of people and locations, plan/layout work assignments, and read/interpret detailed blueprints and plans.
Ability to utilize good judgment in extreme and uncommon situations and maintain constructive relationships.
Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate or difficult persons.
Ability to identify steps necessary to reach objectives, define practical courses of action, and put into effect changes in policies and procedures.
Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Ability to properly operate environmental testing equipment, including mosquito traps, moisture and humidity testing equipment, global positioning service (GPS) unit, vehicle, and protective equipment/clothing.
Incumbent is frequently exposed to registered pesticides and other potentially hazardous chemicals. Ability to learn and follow all relevant safety precautions and requirements at all times to avoid injury to self and others.
Ability to hike through variable and uneven terrain, sometimes of moderate difficulty, through county parks, wilderness, and wetlands.
Ability to testify in legal proceedings/court as necessary.
Ability to plan and deliver public speaking presentations.
Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
Incumbent is required to occasionally work extended, evening, and/or weekend hours and regularly respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis or from off-duty status.
Possession of a valid driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.
II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK :
Incumbent performs a wide array of complex duties involving past precedents and new developments. Incumbent operates within general guidelines and rules, exercising discretion and independent judgment in selecting the appropriate guidelines and/or rules to apply to specific cases or circumstances.
III. RESPONSIBILITY :
Incumbent is responsible for proper completion of assigned tasks, with desired results clearly specified. Unusual situations or problems are discussed with the supervisor, and incumbent is responsible for applying standard departmental practices and precedents to individual work assignments. Work product is periodically assessed for overall conformity with guidelines and standard departmental practices.
IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS :
Incumbent maintains frequent communication with co-workers, other County departments, IDOH, EPA, IDEM, other government agencies, University of Notre Dame, St. Joseph County Home Builders Association, St. Joseph County Wastewater Advisory Board, engineering firms, soil scientists, contractors, and the public for purposes of exchanging information and rendering service.
Incumbent reports directly to Vector Coordinator from May through September.
Incumbent reports directly to Director of Environmental Health from October through April.
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** PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT :**
Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment and in the field/outdoors, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting/standing/walking for long periods, driving, walking on uneven terrain, working in wet/icy surroundings and extreme temperatures, working with or near odors/dust/dirt and chemicals, working in noisy environments and confined areas, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling objects occasionally weighing over 50 pounds, bending/reaching, crouching/kneeling, handling/grasping/fingering objects, close/far vision, color and depth perception, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication. Safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others, including wearing protective clothing/equipment. Incumbent may be exposed to irate/hostile persons and may respond to situations involving potential physical harm to self/others.
Incumbent is required to occasionally work extended, evening, and/or weekend hours and regularly respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis or from off-duty status.
Interested candidates may apply at: https://sjc.ezhiregov.com/, If a certification or license is required, please be sure to attach the documents.