Food & Consumer Protection - Citizens Square - Environmental Health Specialist - 1

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I – FOOD

Under the direction of the Food and Consumer Protection Division Director, the Environmental Health Specialist I – Food protects the public’s health and safety by inspecting food establishments including restaurants, schools, markets, temporary food establishments and mobile units and ensures compliance with the Indiana Food Code, Allen County Food and Beverage Ordinance and Allen County Tattoo and Body Piercing Ordinance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for food establishment inspections including routine, complaint, follow-up investigations, reportable disease/outbreak, temporary/mobile event units, and all food-related emergencies.  Cites establishments for failure to obtain proper permits and works toward compliance using education-based techniques.
• Educates food establishment managers and food handlers regarding proper food sanitation.
• Responsible for tattoo and body-piercing facility inspections during larger events so must be cross-trained and able to educate and conduct enforcement on all facets of these facilities in accordance with applicable rules.
• Educates tattoo and body piercing personnel regarding proper handling of infectious waste and universal precautions to prevent the transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens and infectious diseases.
• Responsible for required data entry utilizing mobile equipment in the field, recall inspections and all appropriate paperwork.
• Responds to public health emergencies regarding clinics and food-borne outbreaks.  Conducts foodborne illness investigations, including gathering information, samples for analysis and complete reports.
• Responsible for being the Department’s food division on-call response representative for after-hours emergency food-related occurrences for one full week, 24/7, nearly every 5^th or 6^th week.
• Refers imminent health hazards and willful and continuous violations to supervisor for immediate response or administrative hearing.  Assures proper resolution of code violations.
• Responsible for assisting with urgent public health outreach efforts including, but not limited to clinics, foodborne outbreaks, and other needed interventions.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Public Health or related field and experience with restaurant management or public health preferred.  Education degrees considered.
• Scientific background with knowledge of identifying microbial agents and how time and temperature affects pathogen growth, pH, measurement of chemical concentration and heat transfer preferred
• Successful certification in “ServSafe” food safety program within 1 year of employment
• Knowledge of transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens preferred
• Knowledge and interpretation of Federal and Local regulations related to food and tattoo/body piercing safety
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and Accela (or other) data platforms for inspections and enforcement
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Judgment needed to apply codes and the intent behind the requirement and in the determination of the risks involved through observation on inspections
• Ability to respond on a 24/7 basis when on-call
  
  

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

The Environmental Health Specialist I-Food performs work involving substantial intricacy regarding the knowledge and interpretation of federal and local food safety regulations.  Judgment is needed when selecting the most pertinent guidelines.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Environmental Health Specialist I-Food is responsible for application of standardized practices when inspecting food establishments and tattoo and body piercing establishments.  Deviations from guidelines must be referred to the supervisor.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

The Environmental Health Specialist I-Food maintains frequent communication with other County employees, food establishments, tattoo and body piercing owners and employees, and the general public.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Environmental Health Specialist I-Food works in a standard office environment and at food establishments including restaurants, schools and tattoo and body piercing establishments requiring bending, kneeling, lifting and frequent driving throughout Allen County with exposure to fire/flood/overturned trucks, transmitted diseases, wet/slippery floors and after-hours safety.

SUPERVISION:

None

LICENSING:

Valid Driver’s License

ServSafe Certification within six months of employment

National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification upon employment as required for all public health staff.

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Food and Consumer Protection Division Director

HOURS:

8:00 am – 4:30 pm with the ability to be on-call 24/7 including weekends and holidays.

EEO CATEGORY:

0802

WORKERS’S COMP CODE:

9410