ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II Full Time NEW

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LOCATION OF POSITION

Howard County Health Department

8930 Stanford Blvd

Columbia, MD 21045

Main Purpose of Job

This Environmental Health Specialist II position functions as a plan reviewer and field inspector for Howard County Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health, a regulatory agency charged with responsibility for prevention of disease transmission through environmental factors. Various inspections and complaint follow-ups are conducted at licensed Retail Food Service Facilities in Howard County in accordance with applicable regulatory standards intended to protect the public’s health. This position is assigned to the Food Protection Program.

This position is not eligible for telework.

POSITION DUTIES

30% Mandated Inspections

• Conducts retail food service facility inspections on a regular schedule to verify compliance with current regulations, by comparing observations to applicable standards. Conducts graduated enforcement actions in conjunction with inspections.

45% Plan Reviews

• Performs plan reviews for new food service facilities, facilities undergoing expansion, re-modeling and change of ownership. Conducts plan review inspections relating to plan review requirements. Reviews HACCP plans for high and moderate priority facilities to assess the safety of proposed cooking processes by comparing the various planned food preparations to established protocols and standards.

10% Foodborne Illness Investigations

• Investigates food borne illness outbreaks, plus applicable facility complaints to determine if a causal agent exists or improper procedures and/or standards are followed to satisfy certain health and safety requirements. Confer with supervisor in Program to assess appropriate follow-up actions.

10% Record Maintenance

• Maintains record of inspections, plan review information and program data to quantify program elements and track the required facility, thereby ensuring that the applicable required inspections are being completed and all related inspection activity reporting is conducted.

5% Other Duties :

• Possess a broad understanding of HCHD services and can refer to other programs. Participates in necessary drills and exercises, responds to emergencies as appropriate, keeps abreast of policies and procedures in the program, bureau and department. Completes all required trainings. Participates in quality improvement efforts within the program. Participation in after-hours on-call emergency response with a personal vehicle available to respond if necessary, maintenance of LEHS registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Determined by the Maryland Board of Environmental Health Specialists under the licensing requirements for Environmental Health Specialists.

Experience: One year of experience performing inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with environmental health laws and regulations.

Notes

• Candidates may substitute a Master of Public Health or Master of Science degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Environmental Engineering classifications or Environmental Engineering specialty codes in the Engineering and Natural Resources field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Desired Or Preferred Qualifications

The desired candidate should possess the following :

• Experience performing inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with environmental health laws and regulations.
• Experience conducting mandated food service facility inspections.
• Experience reviewing architectural plans for food services facilities.
• Experience reviewing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Candidates for positions in this classification must possess and maintain a current license as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist from the Maryland Board of Environmental Health Specialists.
• Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview).

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added.

Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

Benefits

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application (and supplemental questionnaire) may be submitted to MDH, Recruitment and Selection Division, 201 W. Preston St., Room 114-B, Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment, no postmarks will be accepted.

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload. If you are unable to upload, please fax the requested information to 410-333-5689. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the MDH Recruitment and Selection Division at 410-767-1251.

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov .

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: 410-767-1251 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.