Environmental Health Specialist I (GRANT FUNDED)

Environmental Health Specialist I (GRANT FUNDED)

Salary

$31.22 - $32.82 Hourly

Location

1111 South 41st Street, Omaha, NE, NE

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

10370

Department

Health Department

Division

FOOD & DRINK ADMIN

Opening Date

11/03/2026

Closing Date

11/17/2026 4:30 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

Incumbent works under the direction of an assigned Supervisor, or designee, conducting routine inspections, investigating complaints and enforcing city ordinances, and state laws (e.g. the applicable food codes, or environmental health and safety laws).

Essential Functions

• Perform regular inspections of establishments regulated by city, county or state laws and regulations and investigate complaints from the public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, supervisors, other City and County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, and other agencies.
• Conduct onsite investigations and inform owners/operators of necessary corrective actions to take, which may occasionally require the closing of establishments.
• Perform follow-up investigations to ensure proper corrective actions are complete.
• Conduct environmental assessments to identify public health concerns.
• Perform prescribed tests on samples obtained through routine and special inspections, which may occasionally involve transporting the samples to the appropriate laboratory for analysis.
• Submit inspection, investigation, and test results to Supervisor and then to other proper authorities as directed.
• Perform joint investigations with outside agencies upon request and as needed regarding suspected violations of ordinances, laws and/or regulations. This may include, the Omaha Fire Department, State Health Department, Omaha Police Department, Omaha Permits and Inspections Division, Nebraska Humane Society, Nebraska State Patrol and other agencies.
• Complete thorough documentation, including reports of investigations and reports regarding enforcement activities.
• Enforce compliance with applicable laws and ordinances, which may involve providing testimony in court, administrative hearings or other proceedings.
• Take action to rid infested areas of rodents, vermin, and other infestations including, but not limited to: placement of rodenticide, or insecticides or like materials, and removal of trash and rubbish in strict adherence to established public health and safety regulations.
• Educate residents and property owners regarding the specific nature of conditions in violation of applicable laws, explaining remedial actions needed to correct problems and prevent future recurrences.
• Review plans for new construction and modifications to existing establishments to ensure compliance with appropriate standards of health, sanitation, and safety.
• Respond to requests from residents to keep non-domesticated animals, which may include conducting an inspection of the premises and proposed plans to house the non-domestic animals and recommend issuance of permits where applicable.
• Prepare and maintain various records, reports, correspondence and other departmental documents, including mileage reports, time sheets, inspection reports, and documentation.
• Prepare drafts of various correspondence, (e.g. notice of violations, notice of hearings, referrals for prosecution, etc.), for review and consideration by the Supervisor or Division Chief.
• Conduct educational sessions on topics related to environmental health and safety as directed.
• Receive and record complaints from the public regarding suspected violations of environmental health and safety laws.
• Attend various training courses, seminars and conferences to maintain knowledge of current trends and developments in job-related skills and techniques.
• Serve on inter-departmental or community committees, as directed; collaborate with community agencies regarding public health emergency preparedness as assigned; and, respond to inquiries from the public.
• Participate in public health emergency response training and respond as directed in a public health emergency.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle when required to travel on County business.
• Report to work at assigned location with regular and predictable attendance.
• Perform other related duties as needed or assigned.

Education and Work Experience and Other Requirements

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Studies, Biology, or Chemistry and shall include at least 30 semester hours in the basic natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Health, etc.) required.
• Six (6) months experience involving compliance inspections preferred.
• Must have, or obtain within 2 years of employment, and maintain throughout the course of employment registration as an Environmental Health Specialist with the State of Nebraska or Registered Sanitarian or Environmental Health Specialist with the National Environmental Health Association.
• Valid drivers license and transportation at the time of hire, and maintained throughout employment required.
• Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check and conditional offer drug screen required.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is generally performed indoors in a variety of settings and outdoors in a variety of locations. Noise level is usually moderate and occasionally loud. Work hours are typically standard day hours; however, schedule may vary (e.g. varied days, shifts, weekends, overtime/extra hours, holidays, and emergency call-in). Work involves potential exposure to the elements and hazards associated with unsanitary conditions in commercial kitchens and private residences. Work may be stressful when dealing with time constraints, multiple/changing priorities, limited resources and uncooperative/irate individuals.
• Work requires physical activity including extended periods of walking and standing with occasional climbing, reaching, carrying, balancing, kneeling, crouching and bending. An incumbent must have the agility, balance and strength to maneuver over rough terrain, around various obstacles and to access property on foot. Work also requires the ability to frequently lift/carry objects weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance and color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment.

Douglas County is an EOE - Disability/Veterans

Douglas County offers a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Insurance including health, dental, vision, and life
• Pension
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave
• 13 Holidays
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Deferred Income plans (457 plan)
• EAP
• Health Savings Accounts

01

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school diploma/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate Degree

02

Do you have a degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Studies, Biology or Chemistry?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have at least 30 semester hours in the basic natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Health, etc)?

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of experience do you have involving compliance inspections?

• Less than six months
• Six months
• One year
• Two years
• Three years
• Four or more years

05

You must have, or obtain within two (2) years of employment, and maintain throughout the course of employment registration as an Environmental Health Specialist with the State of Nebraska or Registered Sanitarian or Environmental Health Specialist with the National Environmental Health Association. Do you understand this condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

06

You must possess a valid drivers license and transportation at the time of hire and throughout employment. Do you understand this condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you able to successfully perform the Essential Functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

08

Are you able to meet the Physical Requirements and Working Conditions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

09

Are you bilingual in English/Spanish?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answer yes to claiming Veterans Preference, you must attach to your application, before submission, a copy of your DD214 including page 4 identifying your character of service (and IF disabled, verification of disability from the VA), OR if you are a spouse of a 100% disabled veteran, you must attach a copy of your spouses DD214, showing character of service, a copy of the veterans disability verification from the Department of Veterans Affairs demonstrating a 100% permanent disability rating, and proof of marriage to the veteran; OR if you are a spouse of an active service member, you must attach a copy of your spouses active service orders and proof of marriage to the active service member. I understand this requirement that documents must be attached.

• Yes
• No
• I am not claiming Veterans Preference

11

This is a grant-funded position and funds are not guaranteed. Should the funds no longer be available, the position may be eliminated. Is this acceptable to you?

• Yes
• No

12

Are you able to work Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm?

• Yes
• No

13

The pay range salary for this position is $31.22 to $32.82 per hour. Is this acceptable to you?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Douglas County (NE)

Address 1819 Farnam Street, Suite 505

Omaha, Nebraska, 68183

Phone 402-444-6188

Website http://hr.douglascounty-ne.gov/employment