Environmental Health Specialist / Senior Environmental Health Specialist

Lincoln County is hiring for an Environmental Health Specialist or Senior Environmental Health Specialist in Newport, OR. The role involves administering Oregon's environmental health rules, conducting site evaluations, inspecting septic systems, and coordinating regulatory programs. The position requires interpreting geological data and working with the public on compliance issues. It offers a salary range based on experience, with responsibilities varying in complexity and requiring minimal supervision.
Lincoln County is recruiting for either an Environmental Health Specialist ($4799-$5091/monthly DOQ) OR a Senior Environmental Health Specialist ($5183-$5499/monthly DOQ).

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
Responsible for the administration of Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 340. Conducts site evaluations, examining soil profiles, geologic and topographic parameters, rating site, and matching appropriate on site waste disposal system to physical site conditions.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
Responsible for the administration of Lincoln County's (County) on-site sewage disposal program pursuant to contract with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ); coordinates the activities of the On-Site Management Division.ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
a) Conducts on-site soil investigations and prepares reports.
b) Interprets geologic formations and soil regarding drainage, treatment and permeability.
c) Inspects construction of septic systems.
d) Interprets policies, statues, ordinances and regulations.
e) Explains regulations to the public.
f) Maintains field notes.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Conducts on-call response to public health emergencies. Conducts sanitary survey work. Performs other related duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE:
Operates from specific and definite directions and instructions. Position involves recurring work situations with occasional variations from the norm. Job involves a moderate degree of complexity. Makes decisions within a broad interpretation of written policies, past practices, and city, state and federal laws. Receives minimal daily supervision, however, frequently consults with supervisor. Errors in work can cause environmental degradation and may result in a significant exposure to liability for the County.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/ MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
a) Plans and carries out the County's on-site sewage disposal regulatory program, including site evaluation, permit issuance, and code enforcement. Coordinates site evaluation and permit reviews with other county, local and state agencies. Coordinates permit issuance and inspections to facilitate compliance with other related (e.g. zoning and building) codes.
b) Assists in the interpretation of complex soils and hydrologic data; provides rule interpretations; assists with difficult or complex site evaluation and system design issues; makes decisions in the application and administration of on-site sewage disposal administrative rules.
c) Performs evaluations of sites in the field to determine suitability for on-site sewage disposal, including detailed analysis of soil types and hydrologic conditions and the application of appropriate disposal system design criteria in conformance with DEQ rules. Prepares written reports of completed evaluations.
d) Meets with consultants, installers and the general public to discuss rule interpretation issues, resolve conflicts or disputes related to data interpretation and rule application, and provide technical assistance and advice on rule compliance.
e) Reviews permit applications for compliance with applicable rules lists and notes corrections as necessary.
f) Performs inspections of on-site sewage disposal systems installations in progress for compliance with applicable rules and design criteria.
g) Initiates investigation of alleged sewage disposal rule violations; documents violations and recommends appropriate legal or other remedial actions.
h) Serves as liaison between the County and the DEQ.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Performs other related duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE:
Performs a variety of complex data interpretation and regulatory duties. Operates from established and well-known procedures, but on occasion may need to develop new procedures. Frequent new and varied work situations due to the variability of sites encountered in the field. Position reports to the Director of Planning and Development and is reviewed based on reports, observations and comment, consistency in application of regulations, overall management of work flow, tact and diplomacy extended to the public and others. Technical work is not normally checked by another. Errors in work may result in increase in development costs, planning and building approval delays, groundwater and surface water contamination, endangerment of the public health and significant exposure to liability for the County.ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS:
Considerable knowledge of the laws and administrative rules governing the sanitation programs of the state. Knowledge of the sanitation practices, methods and equipment used by the industries under regulation. Ability to make thorough inspections and investigations. Ability to plan and organize work effectively. Reading, writing, and oral communication skills. Mathematical computations and engineering. Knowledge of the principles of hydrology and soil science. Ability to interpret grading and erosion control plans.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/LICENSES/CERTIFICATES REQUIRED:
Bachelor's degree in Natural/ Environmental Sciences. Two to four years experience with evaluating soils. Training in public health, college level courses in soils. Must be a registered Environmental Health Specialist in the State of Oregon and must meet minimum educational qualifications for State of Oregon, Personnel Division Classification II Waste Management Specialist. Possess a valid Oregon Drivers License with good driving record.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS:
Thorough knowledge and understanding of methods of on-site sewage disposal site evaluation through analysis of soil morphology and hydrologic conditions. Thorough knowledge of DEQ administrative rules governing on-site sewage disposal and related regulations. Thorough knowledge of the principles of on-site sewage disposal system design and installation. Ability to read, interpret and apply administrative rules and related regulations in a consistent manner; write clearly and concisely; establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, other county employees, representatives of state agencies, construction contractors and the general public. Must perform on-site inspections of field sites and systems under construction.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/LICENSES/CERTIFICATES REQUIRED:
Must meet DEQ contractual requirement to qualify as a waste management specialist: Bachelor's degree in physical or biological science; minimum 5 years of field work including considerable soils evaluation experience, and registration in Oregon as an Environmental Health Specialist. Must possess a valid Oregon Driver's license.ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST/SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
JOB CONDITIONS:
Extensive travel within the county, some overtime, occasional evening meetings. Frequent potential for exposure to pathogens (raw sewage) and physical attacks by animals and dealing with irate property owners. Position requires some work to be completed outside in all types of weather.

ADA COMPLIANCE:
Physical capability to handle high mobility demands and complex personal interactions.

a) Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).
b) Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.
c) Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.

Lincoln County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.