Minimum Requirements:

A Bachelor’s Degree with major course work in a biological or physical science, chemistry, or in the field of environmental sciences.

Any combination of 36 undergraduate and/or graduate biological, chemical, physical, and environmental science credits, regardless of the major, is considered as qualifying.

An applicant with an undergraduate degree which is not acceptable will be admitted if he/she has a Master’s Degree in one of the acceptable areas.

Necessary Special Requirement

Possession of a valid automobile operator’s license and the use of an automobile during working hours. You must be able to provide your own transportation to and from the various work sites throughout Allegheny County. You will be required to travel.

Overview

An Environmental Health Specialist 1 is eligible for promotion to Environmental Health Specialist 2 with a salary increase after one (1) year of service and a satisfactory performance evaluation. This Food Safety brochure provides an overview of that program’s services and responsibilities.

It is the policy of Allegheny County that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass background checks as required for the position. If hired, the employee is required to move into Allegheny County within one year of employment.

Pre-Employment Drug Screen Requirement

In accordance with Allegheny County policy, all prospective external applicants and re-hires who have received a written conditional offer of employment will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug screen within 48 hours of the acceptance of the conditional offer.

No applicant may begin employment until the drug test results are received by Allegheny County, and the applicant has been made, a final offer of employment pursuant to meeting all hiring considerations.

Allegheny County reserves the right to revoke a conditional offer of employment for any valid, nondiscriminatory reason.

Fringe Benefits

Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits, medical coverage and dental benefits, a retirement plan, life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met.

Perks of Working for ACHD

Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First AID, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more); ability to advance in county system; job security; meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service; eligible for federal loan forgiveness; organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable.

Written Test Required

The examination for this position is given at the Allegheny County Health Department, 542 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or any other authorized location. Eligible applications will be scheduled, by letter, for the Written Examination following receipt of the application. You must pass the written examination in order to be placed on an eligibility list. After promotional or initial appointment, completion of a probationary period is required prior to permanent status in that position.

Nature of Work

This is beginning level professional field work in environmental health. An employee in this class performs a variety of environmental health assignments in specialized fields such as residential environment, sanitation and environmental safety, water pollution control, solid waste control, vector control, food protection and lead poisoning prevention. Assignments are selected to provide experience and training in the practical application of the principles of environmental health. Supervision is received from Program Administrators or Supervisors who provide detailed instructions and guidance on new work; however, employees are expected to exercise independent judgment in carrying out assignments as experience is gained.

Duties:

• Makes inspections of restaurants, housing units, swimming pools, grocery stores, and other facilities to assure compliance with the environmental health policies and regulations and to determine sources of lead exposure.
• Reviews plans for restaurants, septic tank sewage disposal system, and other related plans to assure compliance with environmental health or safety principles and regulations.
• Performs routine field tests to determine disinfectant levels, soil suitability for on‑lot disposal, and similar related conditions.
• Investigates complaints of food contamination, housing problems, lead poisoning, improper solid waste control, water pollution, or unsafe water supply, and prepares reports of investigations which may include the noting of the use of the X‑ray fluorometer.
• Testifies in court on enforcement action resulting from inspections or investigations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry, bacteriology, biology, physics, and epidemiology.
• Knowledge of the basic statistical methods and techniques used in gathering and analyzing data.
• Knowledge of basic algebra.
• Knowledge of the principles of food protection, vector control, lead poisoning, sewage and water treatment, solid waste management, and housing improvement.

Ability to:

• Skill in the use of inductive and deductive reasoning.
• Ability to learn to recognize hazardous environmental conditions.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, in oral, written and graphic form.
• Ability to secure and analyze facts and to conduct inspections of hazardous environmental conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates; government, professional and non- professional groups; and the general public.
• Sufficient physical stamina to conduct field investigations in rough terrain and/or under adverse environmental conditions, and availability to travel throughout the County as required by the agency.
• Ability to travel to and from work locations to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to respond to emergencies.

Residency:

Allegheny County within 1 year.

Veterans’ Preference:

Will be awarded to eligible candidates.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – M/F/V/D