ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Linn County seeks an Environmental Health Specialist in Cedar Rapids, IA, responsible for enforcing food safety, sanitation, and environmental health regulations. Key duties include inspecting food establishments, educating the public, investigating foodborne illnesses, and conducting training programs. The position requires a Bachelor's degree in environmental health or a related field and 6 months to 1 year of relevant experience. Competitive wages and benefits are offered.
Description

Linn County is committed to creating a Customer-Center Culture placing our internal & external customers at the center of everything we do! Why do we do this? We get that question a lot. The answer is simple: We want our customers to have a positive experience. Our co-workers are customers too. Exceptional internal customer satisfaction leads to exceptional customer satisfaction for the public

Why work at Linn County?
• Competitive wages with annual pay increases & annual cost of living increase (depending on budget)
• Medical, dental, vision, short & long term disability, and supplemental life insurance
• Iowa Public Employee's Retirement Pension Plan (IPERS)
• Wellness program offering credit on insurance premiums and cash rewards to eligible employees
• Free on-site fitness centers
• 100% County paid basic life insurance
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Tuition reimbursement program available to eligible employees
• Training & professional development opportunities

Hourly Wage:

New Hire: $32.26
• 90 days: $33.94
• 1 year: $35.74
• 2 years: $37.61
• 3 years: $39.69

About Environmental Health Specialist

Performs fieldwork with professional responsibilities relating to enforcement of laws, regulations and standards concerning food safety, safe drinking water, private sewage disposal systems, solid waste, toxic substances, rabies investigations, and general sanitation.

Essential Functions
• Inspects food service and retail food establishments, vending machines, temporary food stands, as well as lodging establishments within the contract area for compliance with state laws.
• Educates the public on food safety, protection, quality and storage.
• Conducts investigations and inspections regarding possible food-borne illness outbreaks and collects available samples and transports to lab for analysis.
• Assists in Food and Drug Administration food recalls.
• Conducts training programs for food handlers and managers of food establishments.
• Assists animal control agencies investigating animal bites.
• Inspects tattoo and tanning establishments as assigned.
• Inspects public swimming pools and spas.
• Inspects housing and identifies hazards within the structure and outside of the structure.
• Writes letters, reports, documents, notices, condemnations, hold orders, and detentions. Testifies in court and administrative hearings.
• Participates in continuing education classes and conferences including food safety updates, swimming pool and spa regulations, private sewage systems, private nonpublic water supply wells, environmental sampling, pest control, epidemiology, incident command system training, radiation monitoring, and hazardous materials.
• Responds to and advises on hazardous and potentially hazardous materials spills, collects samples when necessary and recommends mitigation procedures to restore safe environment.
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable codes and ordinances.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements
• Bachelor's degree with major coursework in environmental health or related field required that includes an Algebra course or higher-level math and 30 semester hours/45 quarter hours in basic sciences.
• Six (6) months to one (1) year of experience in working with the public, preferably in positions related to public health and sanitation work required; or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Completion of FDA Level One Food Service Inspection and other related certifications within two (2) years of hire. Ability to obtain certified swimming pool operator within one (1) year of hire.

Shift

Monday - Friday

8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Read full description here: Environmental Health Specialist Job Description

Linn County offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, life, long-term disability (LTD) insurance and wellness incentives.

For a more detailed overview of our benefit package, click HERE