PARK COUNTY POSITION IDENTIFICATION

Title:    Registered Sanitarian (RS) or Sanitarian in Training (SIT)

Work Unit:          Health Department    

Supervisor:        Health Department Director

Pay Grade18:     RS ($31.95 -$40.05)

Pay Grade 17:    SIT ($29.92 - $37.89)  
Classification:   Non-Exempt   Fulltime

ASSIGNED DUTIES AND TASKS:

Position Overview:

Under general supervision of the Health Department Director, this position assists the department in assuring public health protection through environmental health standards.

Employees assigned to this full-time, 40 hours per week position must possess a comprehensive understanding of environmental health issues and will be responsible for performing technical and professional duties and responsibilities in the following programs: on-site wastewater, subdivision review, licensed establishments, junk vehicles, public water supply, septage disposal, public health emergency response, food and water borne disease investigation, and general sanitation complaints.

This position has an entry level salary that will increase upon successful completion of the requirement to obtain a Montana Registered Sanitarian license within one year. Benefits include membership in the Montana Public Employees' Retirement System, an elective health/life insurance plan, and a variety of elective benefits.

Each duty listed below makes up approximately 15% of the duties of this position.  All duties below are essential functions unless otherwise indicated. Duties of the position are not all inclusive and subject to change.

A.  Environmental Public Health Inspections and Application Reviews

• Schedules and conducts field inspections in assigned program area to determine compliance with state and local regulations.
• Reviews, evaluates, and approves documents, licenses, plans and permits for compliance with local, state, and federal regulations in a timely and effective manner.
• Performs investigations of complaints as assigned. Recommends appropriate corrective action or enforcement action based on nature and severity of identified violations. Maintains accurate and up to date documentation of violations and corrective actions in a timely, accurate, and factual manner. Consistently conducts follow-up with inspection or other means to ensure corrective actions are implemented. Provides education and guidance in correcting area of nonconformity.
• Provides technical and regulatory assistance to the community as needed in response to regulatory questions or complaints related to a broad range of environmental health conditions.

B. Technical Support and Program Planning

• Participates and provides input regarding established policies and procedures, local and state regulations.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with Health Department Director. Accurately informs of work progress including potential concerns and suggestions in order to address problems in a timely and efficient manner.
• Follows established practices in assigned work area, and seeks innovation and initiates opportunities for improvement.

C.  Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor. This includes coordinating special projects, system analysis, attending meetings and special events, and attending continuing education and training as required.
• If the County Commission proclaims a local emergency due to an actual or threatened disaster such as an earthquake, fire, riot, flood, etc., County employees may be required to provide services during the emergency and for a subsequent period of assessment and recovery. Non-Exempt overtime pay and compensatory time policies apply.
  
  

KNOWLEDGE:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working knowledge of the principles and practices of food and waterborne disease control, communicable disease control, epidemiology and environmental health.  Working knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of air and water pollution control, air and water quality, environmental monitoring and compliance inspections. Working knowledge of soil science, sewage treatment, public water systems, lab techniques, safe laboratory practices and procedures. Working knowledge of bacterial analysis of water samples. Working knowledge of hazardous materials response policies and procedures. 

Strong problem solving, analytical skills, and organizational skills are essential.  Must be knowledgeable and have the ability to understand and interpret local, state and federal regulations and guidelines as pertain to environmental health issues. Strong interpersonal and communications skills necessary to work with the public. Working knowledge of business English, spelling, punctuation and math. Working knowledge of modern office practices, machines, and procedures. Excellent presentation, communication and executive skills; team building and analysis skills preferred.  Self-starter; detail oriented.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of a bachelor's degree in environmental health or closely related field from an accredited college or university. Or an equivalent bachelor's degree, as determined by Montana Department of Labor and Industry, including a minimum of 45 quarter or 30 semester hours in the physical and biological health sciences with specific courses in chemistry, microbiology and biology. Two years experience working directly with the public.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid Montana Driver’s License
• Licensed by Montana Department of Labor and Industry as a Registered Sanitarian or Sanitarian in Training
• Certified Pool/Spa Operator Certification or obtain certificate within a year of being hired.

SIT must take and pass National Environmental Health Registered Sanitarian/REHS exam, and become licensed with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry within 12 months of hire.  Upon becoming a RS incumbent will be advanced to a Grade 18.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

The RS/SIT works independently within established time schedules for food service, public accommodations, trailer courts, water quality, septic permits and inspections, subdivision water and sewer approvals, and other duties. Ability to perform detailed work with a high degree of accuracy.  Ability to multi-task, prioritize projects and meet deadlines and maintain confidentiality in written /verbal information; ability to work independently.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

This position requires strict adherence to confidentiality when handling non-public, personally identifiable information, in accordance with federal and state law and agency policy. The employee agrees to respect and safeguard such information at all times. If confidential data is accessed unintentionally, the employee must promptly report the incident to a supervisor. Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. By signing this description, the employee acknowledges understanding and acceptance of these confidentiality expectations.

INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION:

This position plans and carries out most assignments independently, and uses judgment and initiative to solve problems, such as troubleshooting software and system problems.  Will
work to develop and recommend new processing procedures in response to identifying process inefficiencies, frequent errors, etc. Work objectives and priorities are defined by Health Department Director.

PERSONAL CONTACTS:

This position requires considerable interaction with the public and may be confrontational at times. Of high priority for this position are skills in maintaining a positive and productive interface with the public and other county, department, and community agencies (i.e. providing information, scheduling, and referring to other community agencies).

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work conducted in office and field environments. Due to the need for all Health Department personnel to respond to public health emergencies, the employee must be assessed for their ability to meet the physical demands of performing the following activities:

Physical Demands:

• Must be fit-tested and able to wear a NIOSH N95 mask.
• Physically able to sit, stand, walk varied terrain, climb stairs, bend, kneel, reach, grasp, and lift up to 30 pounds.
• Capable of exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and minimal force regularly to move objects.
• Sufficient hearing and verbal communication skills for in-person and phone interactions.
• Visual ability to read documents, use a computer, and drive safely.

Work Environment:

• Work is conducted in an office setting and various community sites.
• Fieldwork may involve exposure to inclement weather, hazardous conditions, travel risks, and potential contact with communicable diseases, toxins, laboratory chemicals, hazardous materials and animals.
• Interactions may include individuals displaying challenging or hostile behavior.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.