Job Details

Environmental Public Health Specialist I

Public Health - Health Department

Requires successful post-offer completion of a background investigation, physical exam, and drug test (including marijuana/THC) as a condition of employment with the City of Joplin. Requires ability to wear a respirator, goggles and gloves when applying commercial pesticides.

Primary Purpose

Promotes individual and population public health by providing professional and technical work in a variety of settings, especially those subject to environmental public health laws and regulations including inspecting a variety of businesses and properties, identifying health and environmental hazards, responding to environmental health disasters/emergencies, assisting in epidemiological investigations, providing community education activities, and providing technical assistance in various environmental health matters.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Health, Biology, or related discipline.

Experience: One year of experience as an Environmental Public Health Specialist or equivalent is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications: Possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license; certification as a Pesticide Applicator, Food Protection Manager, Pool Operator/Inspector, and Environmental Health Specialist is preferred.

Salary & Benefits

Starting at $19.293 per hour ($40,129 per year).

The City provides health insurance for employees and their immediate family members. The City pays 100% of the premium for the employees and a portion of the premium for family coverage.

Additional Benefits include:

• 2 weeks of vacation accrual per year.
• 11 paid holidays per year + 3 paid "floating holidays" per year**
• Free life insurance to the employee, with supplemental options.
• Dental insurance starting at $9.02/month with fully covered preventive services.
• Vision insurance starting at $1.44/month.
• Tuition reimbursement, longevity pay, Care Leave and sick leave buy-back programs.
• Missouri LAGERS Retirement - employees do not pay into it; employee is fully vested after only 5 years of employment.
• Access to 457 retirement plans with several benefits over traditional 401k plans.
• Free library cards & gym access, fun employee events, and more!

**Floating holiday accruals depend on employee's start date.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM, with occasional scheduled hours and emergency on-call outside of normal business hours.

Essential Job Functions

1. Inspects a variety of facilities where food products are stored, processed, sold, and/or served to identify violations and ensure compliance with City, State, and Federal codes, ordinances, and regulations.
2. Investigates/supervises investigations of outbreaks of food or vector borne diseases to determine the point of origin, transmission method, and most effective means for controlling/eliminating the problem.
3. Responds to/investigates environmental pollution complaints/problems involving radon gas, asbestos, lead contamination, and air quality to determine extent and nature of the problem; recommends the most efficient, effective means of resolving the problem.
4. Responds to public health emergencies, during and after normal working hours.
5. Inspects hotels, motels, day care facilities, and other establishments to ensure compliance with applicable City, State, Federal codes, ordinances, and regulations.
6. Discusses inspection results with owners/managers; provides direction on action necessary to comply with codes, ordinances, and regulations and the consequences of non-compliance.

For the full job description, please click here.

Physical Demands, Requirements, and Working Conditions

This position works in both an office classification and in the field. Must possess mobility to work in and around City buildings and facilities, to operate a motor vehicle and drive on city streets; stamina and mobility to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and operate necessary tools and equipment.

The fieldwork requires walking in areas to perform investigations, identify problems or hazards in kitchens, busy roadways, outdoor pools. The position requires one to bend, stoop, kneel and reach when completing inspections and responding to on-site events. Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 20 pounds or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment. Field work may require exposure to wet, slick, and hazardous surfaces, pesticides, exposure to loud noise, odors, and fumes.

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