Careers

Environmental Health Specialist

Tompkins County

Posted 11/20/2024

Responsibilities

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
This position exists in the County Health Department and involves responsibility for performing professional activities in the
investigation and inspection of non-engineering aspects of environmental control. An employee in this class applies the principles
of the physical, biological and social sciences for the detection, evaluation, control and management of those factors in the
environment which influence human health. The incumbent receives general supervision from a higher level Specialist or
Engineer. This position differs from that of Environmental Health Technician in greater complexity of the work involved and
level of program responsibility. Supervision is exercised over a small staff of Environmental Health Technicians. The incumbent
will perform all related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
• Inspects food service establishments, public and private water supplies, sewage disposal systems, bathing beaches and swimming pools, facilities for refuse disposal, ionizing radiation facilities, and general nuisances which may affect public health;
• Schedules Environmental Health Technicians to perform soil percolation tests and sewage system inspections;
Supervises a small staff of Environmental Health Technicians by making work assignments and reviewing results for
technical accuracy;
• Assesses complaint calls, recommends solutions or schedules technicians to investigate;
• Collects water, food and other samples for laboratory examination to determine organic or inorganic and bacterial
contamination;
• Prepares reports and case histories on inspections, investigations and program status and arranges for enforcement action,
office conferences and legal hearings;
• Participates in enforcement proceedings including testifying at hearings;
• Reviews plans for individual sewage disposal systems to determine code compliance;
• Collects, preserves, and ships suspected diseased animals to State Laboratory for analysis;
• May investigate communicable disease outbreaks, emergencies, and petroleum and chemical spills; Interprets laboratory
results of water and food analyses;
• Performs soil tests, including visual observation of soil type, texture, strata and physical test of soil permeability;
• Inspects sites and advises home owners and contractors on design of individual sewage systems depending on varying
soil conditions;
• Teaches sanitary food handling techniques to food service establishment personnel;
• Oversees the lead screening program including collection of blood samples, training of staff, home visits, inspections and
related activities;
• Provides education to public or regulated facilities about codes or Public Health practices;
• Responsible for administration of one or more program areas in the Environmental health Program;
• Develop program goals and objectives, prepares reports on program activities;
• Advise Senior Environmental Health Specialists or Senior Public Health Engineer on program policy and priorities;
• May edit and update web pages.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
• Good knowledge of environmental health practices;
• Good knowledge of laws pertaining to the inspections of solid waste facilities, water supply and sewage disposal
systems, food service establishments, temporary housing and other regulated facilities;
• Working knowledge of natural science and mathematics;
• Ability to prepare and make concise reports;
• Ability to explain legal provisions and environmental health practices;
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with a wide variety of people;
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of others;
• Ability to train others in environmental health inspection work;
• The employee’s physical condition shall be commensurate with the demands of the position

Minimum Qualification

(a) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s degree which must have included at least thirty credit hours in the natural sciences, of which no more than twelve (12) credit hours may be in the applied sciences; OR
(b) Five years of experience as an environmental health technician deemed satisfactory by the local Public Health Director and have satisfactorily completed a public health training course approved by the State Health Department. Tompkins County is Committed to Equity and Inclusion. We encourage those with similar values to apply.

Special Requirement

RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of Tompkins County or one of the six adjoining counties (Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga) for at least one month immediately preceding the date of application and maintain residency. For Examinations: The eligible list resulting from the examination will be established in accordance with the final earned numerical ratings of passing candidates regardless of residence. A municipality or district may exercise its right under section 23-4-a. of Civil Service Law to request a certification of eligible candidates who have been residents of that municipality or district for at least one month prior to appointment. After the names of residents have been exhausted, Tompkins County must then certify the names of non-residents on the list. The Division of Environmental Health in Tompkins County Whole Health Department is looking for an Environmental Health Specialist. The successful candidate is expected to work primarily in the rabies prevention program and/or the food service establishment program, although work in any Environmental Health program may be required. This is a full-time, benefits eligible position working 35 hours per week. The vacancy is being filled using the NYS HELP program, so a Civil Service exam is not required for the position.

Salary: $33.48/hr 2024 Hire Rate $36.30/hr 2025 Work Rate (after 9 months)