Details
 

02/06/2025

Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)

Coshocton Public Health District

 Position Introduction:

An individual of this classification provides consultation, instruction, investigation, inspection, evaluation, field sampling and testing, enforcement and technical or administrative duties requiring specialized knowledge and skills in the practice of environmental health science.  Works closely with other internal divisions and external service providers to prevent the spread of disease, promote health, and protect the public from harm.  An individual of this classification works under the direction and supervision of the Director of Environmental Health and may supervise the activities of subordinate employees and/or provide technical assistance and consultative services to other health department staff, other employees and the public.  A person of this classification will be expected to participate in planning and be able to response to various public health emergencies.  Actively participates in organizational quality improvement projects and other workgroups to advance the mission of the department. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervision:   An individual of this classification works under general supervision and requires considerable knowledge of environmental health science; state, local, federal law and agency policies; rules and regulations pertaining to environmental health science issues.  Supervises subordinate staff and functions in the Environmental Health Division including interviewing, orientation, training, meetings, performance evaluation, Coshocton Public Health policies, processes, and procedures, revision/update of position descriptions, staff scheduling, set goals and deadlines and coordinate the work to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines and proper procedures, proactively reviews work of subordinates to prevent errors or problems.  Creates systematic guidance to be used by staff in enacting duties.

Operational Functions:  Inspects, investigates, evaluates compliance with rules and regulations, documents work in various electronic systems in the following program areas: food protection, swimming pools and spas, schools, tattoo and body art, solid and infectious waste, nuisance control, vector control, indoor housing sanitation, air pollution, indoor air quality, lead hazard reduction, animal bites, private water systems, household sewage treatment systems, stormwater drainage and other environmental areas as needed.

Business Functions:   Works with County Departments and groups to identify and mitigate public health hazards in the community.  Participates in various community coalitions to advance mission, vision and values of the Coshocton Public Health District and Environmental Health Division.  Participates in various workgroups and committees.  Research public health issues and prepares written recommendations summaries.  Maintains documentation per department policy.  Responds to public health emergencies.  Maintains credentials, skills and training in the practice of environmental health science and technology.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates in setting department, division, subordinates, and personal goals and activities, and works cooperatively with other divisions as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• All candidates must have graduated from an accredited college or university with a Baccalaureate Degree in Environmental Science, electronics, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, physical sciences, public health or related field and have obtained at least 45 quarter or 30 semester units of science courses approved by the Ohio Department of Health, Environmental Health Specialist Registration. Possess an active Environmental Health Specialist License from the Ohio Department of Health and willingness to maintain.
• Be willing and able to maintain EPA Commercial Applicator License (pest control).
• Must be computer proficient and able to work efficiently in a heavily computerized PC environment using various Microsoft Office and database applications, including web-based application tools.
• Must have a valid Ohio driver’s license with good driving record.
• Must have a minimum of three years of experience as an Environmental Health Specialist with Coshocton Public Health District or minimum of five years of experience as an Environmental Health Specialist with another public health department.
• Experience with PHAB Accreditation.
• Experience writing policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certificates in National Incident Management System (NIMS) in the following emergency planning courses: 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800
• Five years’ experience as a Sanitarian/Environmental Health Specialist in the State of Ohio.
• Two years’ experience as a program manager.
• Experience with PHAB Accreditation.
• Experience writing policies and procedures.

Minimum Credentials:

The following credentials must be acquired and maintained prior to initial hire:

• Valid Ohio Driver’s license with good driving record.
• Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) registration issued by the Ohio Department of Health.
• The following credentials must be acquired and maintained. These credentials are not required upon initial hire bit are required to be acquired after hiring within 12 months.  Certificates in National Incident Management System (NIMS) emergency planning courses: 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800

All Coshocton Public Health District (CPHD) employees are expected to ensure that Coshocton County residents are protected from disease and other public health threats, and to empower others to live healthier, safer lives.  In addition, all CPHD employees are expected to meeting specified competencies in the follow areas:

• Customer Focus:  Ensure the health and safety of our community within my abilities and resources and treat our many, diverse customers with thoughtful listening and respect.
• Accountability: Be accountable for knowing the scope of programs and for maintaining the public’s trust through credible information, quality programming and services, and fiscal integrity.
• Equity and Fairness: Interact with clients, community partners and staff with fairness and equity and deliver services free of bias or prejudice.
• Continuous Quality Improvement: Establish and maintain organizational capacity and resources to support CQI.
• Occupational Health and Safety: Follow all safety rules, proactively work to prevent accidents, and encourage the use of sound judgment in order to comply with departmental and county occupational safety regulations.
• Emergency Preparedness: Promptly identify and respond to public health threats and priorities which may involve working outside of day-to-day tasks.
• Communication: Communicate in a respectful manner in both written and oral formats with linguistic and cultural proficiency.

Work Environment:

• Daily work includes both general office setting and field setting (industrial, commercial residential and outdoors in inclement weather and temperature extremes). Includes driving a county vehicle to field destinations. All work requires mental focus, organizational skills, ability to meet critical deadlines, and excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.  Office setting includes sitting and viewing a computer screen for long periods of time, standing or walking for long periods of time, walking on uneven surfaces.  Must have the ability to perform inspection duties in the field, both indoors and outdoors.  Must have following minimum abilities to perform these inspections duties: life/hoist 40 pounds or more, carry field equipment, walk on uneven/unimproved surfaces for long period of time, climb ladders and stairs, work at substantial heights, tolerance of extreme outdoor weather conditions.
• This position will require scheduling of duties at night, on weekends, or other non-traditional work hours with less than 24 hours’ notice.
• Work performed may be subject to challenging interactions with community members
• Travel will be required to other area offices including the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Health, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and other trainings and meetings throughout the state.
• Occasional, overnight, and out of state travel may be required.
• Reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA compliance will be made available to those who need it to achieve the above descriptions.

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