Job Description

Under the direction of the Health Officer manages the development, and implementation of plans, programs and strategies that assure quality environmental health services are provided to prevent and control environmental public health hazards. Position is responsible for ensuring that programs, policies, and procedures comply with State and Federal standards and the County of Ottawa Environmental Health Regulations. Represents environmental health programs to local, state, and federal officials and community members to work together to ensure conditions that promote and protect health.

The position is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Public Health building located on James Street in Holland, MI.

Ottawa County recognizes the negative impact of health disparities in the accomplishment of our mission to assure conditions that promote and protect health. We seek to proactively engage and understand a variety of perspectives across the community to ensure respectful treatment and equal access to opportunities and resources to improve the health and well-being of all.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

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  Manages and leads staff directly and in collaboration with environmental health supervisors to ensure a high level of professional service and maintenance of standards in environmental health. Hires and directly manages environmental health supervisors, overseeing goal setting, performance measurement and professional development.
• Ensures the department manages and mitigates risk and follows all applicable laws, rules, emergency orders, regulations, ethics, policies, and accreditation standards.
• Directs and participates in the development of plans and strategies to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of environmental health services.
• Directs and participates in the development and implementation of quality assurance and quality control protocols to ensure continuous improvement in the delivery of environmental health services to the community.
• Manages the development and implementation of policies, programs and practices for the prevention and control of environmental health hazards.
• Directs and participates in the investigation of outbreaks of foodborne, waterborne, and other illnesses with environmental causes.
• Investigates and responds to complaints of sewage discharges, groundwater contamination, and other environmental health incidents.
• Drafts the environmental health services portions of the annual Health Department operating, personnel and capital budget requests and manages the environmental services budget.
• Under the authority of the Health Officer, enforces environmental health statutes, codes, rules and regulations; authorizes civil citations, closure orders, condemnation orders, and misdemeanor appearance tickets; conducts informal and formal hearings; and testifies in court as required for litigation of enforcement matters.
• Assists with development of plans, strategies, and implementation of responses to emerging and emergency environmental health threats.
• Identifies funding opportunities to support new and continuing environmental health initiatives and directs and participates in the development and submission of funding proposals.
• Develops and maintains effective, collaborative working relationships across multiple sectors to reduce environmental health risks to the community.
• Collaborates with managers and staff to ensure continuing compliance with accreditation requirements.
• Serves as liaison with various local, state, and federal agencies as well as community partners concerning environmental public health. Confers with representatives to address challenges of mutual concern and eliminate any duplication of efforts.
• Serves as an advocate for pro-active environmental health actions, developing and presenting educational and informational presentations to a broad range of audiences within the community.
• Prepares required assessments and reports as necessary for regulatory and funding sources.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor's degree in environmental health, environmental science or closely related field, and five years of progressively responsible experience in environmental health administration, including at least two years as a supervisor or manager; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Possession of a MPH, MSPH, MPA or Master's degree in environmental health, or related degree strongly preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:
Must possess and maintain valid State of Michigan certification as a Registered Sanitarian or a valid credential from National Environmental Health Association as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

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  Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental public health.
• Thorough working knowledge of managerial and supervisory principles and practices.
• Thorough understanding of the principals of chemistry and biology.
• Thorough understanding of the theory and application of biostatistics and quantitative analysis
• Thorough working knowledge of local, state, and federal health codes, statutes, rules and regulations, including Michigan Public Health Code (PA 368 of 1978, as amended), Safe Drinking Water Act (PA 399 of 1976, as amended), the Michigan Food Law (PA 92 of 2000), Michigan Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Code (Part 127 of Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended), and appropriate methods for the enforcement thereof.
• Thorough working knowledge of environmental health inspection and investigation practices and protocols and documentation requirements.
• Thorough working knowledge of accreditation requirements.
• Thorough working knowledge of professional standards of practice and ethics.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of budget preparation and control.
• Working knowledge of strategic planning.
• Working knowledge of program assessment and quality assurance principles, practices, protocols and instruments.
• Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Computer literacy and working knowledge of word-processing, spreadsheet, database and project management software.
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with elected officials, customers, community and business representatives, community and business partners, regulatory agency representatives and auditors, accreditation auditors, employees, vendors, and members of the general public with widely diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and varying levels of health knowledge and interpersonal communication skills.

Physical Requirements:
Must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility.

Working Conditions:
Work is generally performed in a normal office environment but does include site inspections with exposure to onsite hazards.

Disclaimer:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.