Environmental Health Technician - Encampment Abatement Program, Health Department

Job Summary

Salt Lake County…A career with a purpose in the community you love!

Salt Lake County invites you to explore our exciting career opportunities. We seek highly enthusiastic individuals to enrich our County with your experience and talent. If you enjoy working in a team environment that is committed to changing the lives of its community, please keep reading.

What it is like to work here:

At Salt Lake County, our culture is woven into all aspects of our work and our employees’ lives, from the way we treat each other to the way we support the community.  To promote and foster a fun and healthy work environment, we appreciate employees through great benefits, a healthy work-life balance, and room to grow and develop.

Surround yourself with:

Peers who are motivated to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. We serve Salt Lake County and envision a safe and beautiful place for all to live, work, and have fun. Salt Lake County is about connecting people and championing our community.  Community is more than a place…. It's our heart and service that bring us together.

We encourage a work-life balance:

Working for Salt Lake County is more than just a paycheck.  A career with /Salt Lake County includes several benefits and perks.  We support our employees with 12 Holidays, up to 24 vacation days, 12 sick days, and one personal day every year.

Additional Benefits include:

• Retirement options for hybrid pension/401(k) or 401(k) only with a 10% contribution
• Medical coverage, including a 100% county-paid premium option, Dental and Vision coverage, including coverage for adult designees
• Health Savings account with a county contribution up to $1200/year, Flexible Spending Account
• 100% county-paid Long-Term Disability and Short-Term Disability option
• Professional Development, including professional membership fees paid
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Plus: On-site medical clinic and gym; pet insurance, auto and home insurance, and discounts at County facilities. 

For Benefits information Click HERE 

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JOB SUMMARY

Provides support to identify problems and solutions to minimize or eliminate hazards that may harm the environment and the population. Monitors environmental health and safety conditions. Conducts field activities and office work in health and safety programs.

This position is part of the Environmental Health Division’s Sanitation & Safety Bureau and is assigned to the Environmental Hazards Resource Program (Encampment Impact Mitigation). The primary focus is fieldwork to assess and mitigate environmental and public health hazards associated with encampments including outdoor site assessments; coordinating and participating in encampment cleanup and mitigation activities which may be during inclement weather; removing solid waste, hazardous waste, and biological waste using established safety procedures. This work involves driving a pickup truck and towing a medium-sized trailer. This position regularly encounters and interacts with individuals experiencing homelessness and requires respectful communication, sound judgment, and professionalism. The technician works closely with law enforcement and municipal partners. Additional duties include completion of related administrative work, other EH Tech assignments, and other Bureau in-office or fieldwork assignments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Two (2) years of related work experience in environmental health; OR related education from an accredited college or university in environmental health or a related area of study as required for Environmental Health Scientist licensure, or a combination of related education and experience.

This position may require certifications and training depending on the program assignment.

A valid Driver’s License accepted by the State of Utah is required at the time of hire. A valid Driver’s License issued by the State of Utah must be obtained within six (6) months of hire to operate a County vehicle.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collects and analyzes samples and specimens for field work. Prepares and gives reports.
• Develops and maintains cooperative liaison with municipalities, counties, state and federal agencies, County personnel, and other groups/agencies.
• Trains and supervises temporary environmental health assistants with regard to sampling procedures, collection, and reports.
• Prepares and responds to emerging environmental health issues within all bureaus of the Environmental Health Division and assists in monitoring those issues to safeguard the public health of Salt Lake County residents.
• Assists in responding to emergencies for earthquakes, floods, chemical releases and spills, and biological and other incidents.
• Gathers information and evidence on the nature, scope, and cause of disease outbreaks during investigations.
• Assists with audits, conducts field work and surveys, and educates on health regulations and compliance. Assists licensed professionals to issue notices and initiate compliance and enforcement.
• Assesses program needs, formulates proposals for solutions, and analyzes effects. Provides technical assistance related to environmental health issues
• Provides support for public education programs; trains and educates citizens. Works through and with community organizations, governmental agencies, and community leaders to implement and maintain environmental programs.
• Provides support for studies and research into causes and solutions to environmental health problems, methods and techniques, and strategies for abatement and control.
• Maintains and operates specialized equipment and ensures the equipment is in good repair and properly calibrated and stored.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of:

• Public and environmental health principles
• Sampling and laboratory procedures
• Data collection, data entry, and retrieval
• Effective public relations and health education methods and techniques
• Principles of environmental health
• Principles of physics, mathematics, chemistry, microbiology, and physical sciences
• Electronics and electronic equipment
• Effective communication
• Report writing
• Government and community organization
• Testing and sampling equipment
• Computer programs used by the Division, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Envision

Skills and Abilities to:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Effectively apply general principles to specific conditions
• Work effectively with people from a variety of social, ethnic, economic, educational, and professional backgrounds
• Defend and follow oral and written instructions, policies, and procedures
• Work and act independently as directed
• Operate a personal computer, sampling and testing equipment, and other program-related equipment
• Respond adequately to problems and utilize problem-solving techniques
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, government, private groups, and individuals
• Deal professionally and tactfully with angry individuals and diffuse hostile situations

Minimum Qualifications

This position resides in the Environmental Health Division, Sanitation & Safety Bureau.

This position works Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Considerable walking over rough terrain, bending and kneeling, exposure to adverse weather conditions, and difficult to access places. May be required to carry bulky equipment necessary for the performance of various tasks. May involve working around hazardous chemicals and unsanitary conditions.

Must be able to work in environments that require lifting up to 50 pounds, dragging, cleaning, and other physical exertion for the removal of solid and hazardous waste from illegal encampment sites.

Must be able to use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and able to perform tasks around unsanitary conditions.