Environmental Health Specialist - In Training

Position Summary
Lake County Public Health Agency (LCPHA), an EOE employer, seeks a full-time Environmental Health Specialist to join our Ground water quality/Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Program inspection program. This is an entry-level inspector position within the Lake County Environmental Health Program. This employee serves as a consultant and educator to contractors, engineers, real estate agents, homeowners, and others. This employee performs a variety of duties to help prevent the spread of disease, mitigate health risks, and ensure compliance with all rules and regulations in the area of health and safety. This position requires the ability to speak and write fluent English; a bilingual English/Spanish person is preferred. He or she will report to the Director of Environmental Health.

This position pays a competitive salary, depending upon experience. This is a full-time position that is eligible for benefits. This position is funded by Lake County, Colorado and Federal funds. If the funding is reduced or discontinued, this position may be reduced or discontinued.

Health begins where you live, learn, work and play!

General Duties and Responsibilities
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

• Become a NAWT (National Association of Wastewater Technicians) and CPOW (Colorado Professionals of Onsite Wastewater) member and complete trainings as required for OWTS inspector and soils review certifications
• Attend and participate in statewide water quality meetings
• Must maintain knowledge of water quality regulations and 3year regulation revisions
• Conduct Plan Reviews of new and repair OWTS permits
• Issue OWTS permits and renewals of permits
• Process TOT applications and issue acceptance documents
• Conduct Site and soil inspections, Tank/pipe/chambers pre-backfill inspections and Final inspections of OWTS
• Process Installer contractors and pumper/cleaner license applications, grade tests and issue licenses, investigate violations, issue notices of violations to contractors
• Administer BOH variance requests and public hearings for various OWTS needs
• Processes general groundwater complaints and conducts follow-up inspections
• Posts general groundwater and OWTS education materials on website and social media outlets
• Performs investigations of public complaints related to health and safety.
• Conducts damage assessment investigations related to disasters and trains in environmental health emergency preparedness.
• Fosters teamwork and open communication among staff; participates in office meetings, team-building activities and trainings.
• General OWTS admin
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities
Not applicable

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities
All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

Other Duties
Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

• Valid Colorado Driver’s License.
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist - REHS (preferred) willing to train.
• Public contact experience in a service-related field with the ability to remain flexible and sensitive to a clientele diverse in age, ethnicity, and maturity.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to work as part of a team. Effectively communicate and work with co-workers, clients, other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to assess situations and make prudent and appropriate decisions; ability to apply conflict resolution and problems solving skills in order to minimize negative personal impact.
• Ability to efficiently plan, schedule, with strong organizational skills, with keen attention to detail and ability to complete quality work amidst multiple, competing priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and effective listening skills.
• Travel: Incumbent will have access to a county car and this position will require regular in-county travel to conduct inspection and some in-state travel for trainings and meetings. Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License and the appropriate level of personal vehicle insurance.

Hazard Notice
This position’s duties are performed in indoor and outdoor environments. The incumbent may be exposed to some noise (construction, electrical, mechanical, or human) on an occasional basis, and other related hazards associated with an office environment.

The incumbent will be exposed to seasonal conditions including wet and/or humid and extreme hot/cold outdoor temperature changes. The incumbent may be required to work evenings and weekends associated with investigations, community meetings/events or large disasters.

Physical Activity & Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and talk, hear and smell. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch and lift objects up to 45lbs.
• Ability to work indoors in an office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer.
• Ability to see close up and far away, with or without glasses or contacts.
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement, hot, or cold weather as required by attendance of County events or local emergencies.

EOE Statement
Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Lake County Benefits - Full-Time Employees

As a reflection of the value we place on the contributions of our employees, the County offers a competitive benefits package for full-time employees. Please review the 2025 Benefits Guide for full details. The Guide provides information on Lake County Government's benefit offerings, including:

• Employer-Sponsored Medical and Dental Insurance Plans
• 100% Employer Paid Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Employer-Sponsored Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Term Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance Plans
• 401(a) and 457(b) Employer Matched Retirement Plans
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Days and Holidays
• Wellness Stipend of $425
• Employee Assistance Program
• Public Health Emergency Leave
• Discounts on concerts, major sporting events, electronics, travel, cars and more!

Lake County Benefits - Part-Time Employees

Lake County is also proud to offer paid sick time off and flexible work schedules for our part-time employees.

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Notice of Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Expected Duration of the Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.