Environmental Health Specialist I/II

Livingston County was named a 2025 Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press! Based solely on employee feedback, the Top Workplace title is a badge of honor for the County. With over 700 employees serving within 18 departments, 6 elected offices, and 3 Courts, Livingston County's top priority is providing effective and efficient services that improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Food Program Coordinator or Field Program Coordinator, this position is responsible for the routine inspections of commercial, residential, and public locations in the County to enforce local, state and federal sanitation and environmental health laws to safeguard the public health.

Benefits:

• Retirement plan includes a 401a with up to 8% employer contribution
• Comprehensive Medical, Pharmacy, Dental & Vision
• Optional HSA with an employer match
• Optional Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
• Short-term & Long-term disability & Basic Life & AD&D insurance
• Health & Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid vacation, sick days & 13 holidays. Unused vacation and sick time rolls over
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Up to $500 annual Wellness reimbursement* & $100 incentive for completing your annual physical & Health Assessment.
• Voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital & Whole Life policies
• Employee assistance program
• Pro-rated based on DOH

Pay Rate Information:

The Environmental Health Specialist is a non-union position, and staring pay is $31.81/hr. for an Environmental Health Specialist I and $34.99/hr. for an Environmental Health Specialist II. This position is eligible for step pay increases within our Non-Union Grade 8 & 9 Wage Scales.

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Inspects and evaluates premises and establishments having public health significance, such as schools, public swimming pools, bathing beaches, dwellings, work places, child care facilities, campgrounds, private and public wastewater treatment systems, private and public water supplies, and sites of alleged public health nuisances.
• Inspects licensed food service establishments for cleanliness, proper food handling practices, and compliance with sanitation standards. Inspects and licenses temporary food establishments.
• Investigates food service complaints regarding improper food service practices, suspected food-borne illness outbreaks, or adulterated food. Conducts illness investigations and prepares and submits formal reports. Performs soil and site evaluations on public and private land, issuing permits for on-site sewage systems and water supplies where appropriate. Consults with owners, builders, engineers, and others regarding design, installation and maintenance of such water and sewer systems.
• Investigates complaints involving possible water pollution, insect and rodent infestations and similar public health hazards and nuisances. Collects samples and specimens for laboratory analysis when appropriate.
• Reviews plans for construction of new facilities or renovation of existing structures for compliance with environmental health standards and advises regarding prevention or correction of problems.
• Approves licenses and issues permits for facilities and locations, and septic truck haulers and receiving stations that are in compliance with applicable regulations as determined through an on-site inspection or evaluation.
• Works with various agencies to jointly resolve environmental and health problems. Meets with various agencies regarding prevention and resolution of environmental health problems. Provides education and technical assistance to the public regarding sanitation and environmental health matters including, but not limited to, food storage and preparation, radon, mold, lead, and asbestos.
• Issues verbal and written orders to correct violations, re-inspects to ensure compliance and prepares reports. Initiates legal action and testifies at hearings as necessary.
• Participates in the Department's strategic plan, quality improvement policy, performance management plan, and workforce development.
• Performs sanitary survey inspections and annual assessment inspections of public water supply systems to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal Safe Drinking Water regulations. Conducts plan reviews including enforcement for new and replacement public water supply systems, public pool establishments, and single-family wastewater and single-family potable water supply systems to ensure that all necessary elements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and Plumbing Code requirements are met and properly documented. Reviews and responds to E-coli and coliform contamination found within drinking water sample results
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

• Bachelor's Degree in environmental health or a related field.
• The County, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education and work experience.
• Standardized by a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Standardized Trainer to conduct food service inspections.
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist (NEHA). This is the recognized credential for Environmental Sanitarians in the country and is a requirement to be considered for promotion to the Environmental Sanitarian II position.
• Valid Michigan Vehicle Operator's License.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental and public health, applying local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, and the County's sanitation codes and programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Standardized by a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Standardized Trainer to conduct food service inspections.
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist (NEHA). This is the recognized credential for Environmental Sanitarians and is a requirement to be considered for promotion to the Environmental Sanitarian II position.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental and public health, applying local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, and the County's sanitation codes and programs.
• Knowledge of public health principles, assessment and evaluation techniques, food safety, recreational water safety, health and safety, groundwater, and surface water testing procedures and practices, and food-borne
• Skill in the use of a variety of environmental testing equipment related to food, water, and soil testing.
• Knowledge of use of GPS equipment to properly and accurately map soil evaluations in the field.
• Skill in assembling and analyzing data, preparing comprehensive and accurate reports.
• Skill in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with County employees, County contractors, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, and the public.
• Ability to assess situations, solve problems, work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and in emergency situations.
• Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications and ability to learn software programs utilized by the Department.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works both in an office and in the field. While in the office, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view and produce written and electronic documents and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes. The employee must be mobile both in an office setting and in the field with the ability to stand, sit, stoop and kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must lift or push/pull objects of up to 40 lbs. without assistance. Accommodation will be made, as needed, for employees required to lift or move objects that exceed this weight.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works both in the office and at other work sites and regularly travels between work sites using a motor vehicle. Though applicable safety procedures are documented and utilized, the incumbent may be exposed to unsanitary or unhygienic materials, individuals and situations in the course of performing required duties. The noise level in the work environment varies from quiet to moderate.

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up or down or to the left and right when vision is fixed on a given point)
• Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)
• Ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)
• Cover letter and resume REQUIRED.