Environmental Health Specialist

Join Durham County Government

Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields-giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more nc.gov.

PUBLIC HEALTH

AUGUST 6, 2025

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

$52,730.00 - $89,577.00

MULTIPLE

JOB TYPE : FULL-TIME

• This posting is subject to close without prior notification.
• Current REHS Candidates strongly preferred

GENERAL DESCRIPTION :

The primary responsibilities of this position involve inspection and enforcement of state and local environmental health laws, rules and regulations that apply to food services, lodging, institutions and day care centers.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Perform State mandated, unannounced sanitation inspections of Food, Lodging, and Institution, Childcare and Tattoo facilities.
• Investigate complaints from the public, medical referrals and community illness reports concerning suspected violations of environmental laws, rules and regulations.
• Complete and maintain necessary records of these inspections and / or complaint investigations.
• Conduct consultative visits with current, or potential, establishment owners / operators to build rapport as well as to educate on Environmental Health requirements.
• Take appropriate permit action when facilities fail to comply with minimum sanitation standards, and / or when an imminent health hazard exists.
• Perform office duties involving correspondence with the public.
• Collect routine water samples for all regulated facilities.
• Provide field training for new employees and other public health personnel.
• Participate in educational programs that are required to retain REHS status (minimum 15 hours of continuing education per year).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES :

• Working knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures, as well as a complete understanding of the concepts of public heath law.
• Practical knowledge of microbiology, biology, chemistry, food science, epidemiology, soil science, entomology, and basic engineering technology as applied to environmental health practices.
• General knowledge of community resources.
• Working knowledge of the responsibilities of other agencies involved in environmental health work.
• Working knowledge of inspection methods and investigation techniques as applied in environmental health.
• Ability to analyze and comprehend a wide variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports.
• Ability to develop and express ideas and opinions concisely, comprehensively, and clearly in oral and written from.
• Ability to independently plan and schedule work activities.
• Ability to apply environmental health knowledge and techniques in the investigation of environmental health problems.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully with clients while enforcing public health laws is a must.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team is essential.
• Effective oral and written communication skills highly desired.
• Computer use is essential with working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS :

Graduation from a four-year college or university with 30 semester of course work in the physical or biological sciences and two years of exposure in environmental health; or a four-year or Master’s degree in environmental health from a program which is accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula of the National Environmental Health Association and one year of experience in environmental health.

SPECIAL NOTE :

• Must be able to enter a correctional facility.
• This is a generalized representation of positions in this class and is not intended to…