Job Title: Environmental Health Specialist – On-Site/Wells
Department: Environmental Health
Pay Grade: 68
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
JOB SUMMARY
The primary purpose of the Environmental Health Section is to safeguard life, promote human health and protect the environment through the practice of modern environmental health science, the use of technology, rules, public education and above all dedication to the public trust.
The purpose of the class is to carry out the Environmental Health activities relating to state sewage disposal, protection of water supplies and rules in Haywood County.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Individual On-Site Sewage Disposal Program :
- The Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) evaluates individual properties to determine suitability for ground absorption, sewage disposal systems. If the site is found to comply with state laws and rules, the EHS will issue written approval for the site. If the site does not comply, EHS must determine if the site can be altered, or an alternative system designed to meet the regulations. Only after all possibilities have been exhausted will he deny approval of the site. Any denial made is subject to appeal by the property owner. The EHS must be able to defend his decision throughout the appeals process.
- Upon installation of a system, the EHS returns to the site for inspection and, if approved, issues an operation permit. If the system does not meet the Authorization for Wastewater System Construction Permit requirements, the EHS instructs the contractor of any possible corrective measures. Where corrective measures are not possible, the system must be disapproved resulting in great financial loss and mental stress to the homeowner and contractors involved. As with a site denial, disapproval of a system installation can be appealed by the property owner.
- Evaluations are also made of failing sewage systems to determine repairs necessary to abate public health hazards. An Authorization for Wastewater System Construction Permit is issued showing repairs necessary and an inspection made of the repairs after the installation. Existing sewage systems in mobile home parks are also inspected before new mobile home connections are made.
- Stream surveys are conducted upon complaints that sewage is being discharged into a body of water and corrective action is taken utilizing basic engineering principles. The EHS is called upon to design alternative or complex systems such as an LPP system and review plan for complex systems designed by a professional engineer.
In the sewage program, the EHS has constant contact with members of the public such as homeowners, contractors, realtors, and developers. He consults with other E. H. Specialists, Program Specialists, his supervisor and the regional EHS as well as specialists from the Dept. of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources on the more complex problems but most decisions are made independently. The EHS decisions in this program affect the immediate and future health of the community and the economic well-being of both the building industry and individual homeowners. Inappropriate or erroneous decisions can result in an outbreak of water-borne diseases, contamination of water supplies and surface waters, condemnation of homes and businesses, economic loss of the community and the risk of libel suits against the EHS.
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Water Supply Program:
- Layouts: The EHS working on the well program strives to ensure that the location, construction and repair of private water supply wells and abandonment of all wells conform to standards as to protect the public’s health as well as the groundwater resources. The employee is responsible for the location of a well site on private property away from all possible sources of contamination. After a property owner applies for a well construction permit, the EHS must physically on-site and through health department records, research surrounding properties for possible sources of groundwater contamination including permits on currently undeveloped properties, which have valid septic system designs. The employee schedules an on-site meeting with concerned parties including property owners, real estate representatives, developers, and well drillers to determine potential well sites.
- A physical inventory of all setbacks and sources of contamination is recorded. Those may include building foundations, existing and proposed septic systems, sewer lines, right-of-ways, property lines, underground storage tanks, areas subject to flooding, or with drainage problems, easements, community wells, etc. A well site is then chosen in the most favorable location to meet landowner’s desires, legal and hydro geological factors, and best protection of water supply. The EHS then issues a permit consisting of an accurate drawing of the site plan of the property indicating all setbacks and possible sources of water contamination as well as potential well sites. Drawings are legible and accurate so that well drillers may locate well site from permit and drill in the correct area.
- Grout Inspections: By law, all wells are to be grouted before the well can be approved for use. The EHS performs grouting inspections and is on call at a 2-hour notice from the well driller to verify that the wells are properly grouted. These inspections include the depth (20') and the width in inches of the annular space around the well casing. The preparation and application of the grouting materials is supervised. The proper location of the well is verified with the permit. The specification of materials used in the well is inspected. (This varies with various types of wells and depth of casings).The correct height of casing above ground and required information on casing is also verified.
- Well Head Development: The EHS inspects the wellhead after pump installation to insure it meets proper construction guidelines as specified in the well construction regulations. This includes a concrete pad, sanitary seal and vent, housing, and pump tag. After this inspection, a completion permit is issued with an accurate and detailed drawing of the site. This will assist persons in the future in locating the well and all setbacks.
- Disinfection of Water Supply: The EHS communicates with the well owner on proper disinfection procedures to eradicate bacteria introduced into the water supply during drilling and pump installations. This involves calculating the static water volume in the well to determine the correct amount of disinfection agent needed to achieve a 100 milligram/liter concentration of chlorine. The EHS instructs the well owner on the addition of disinfectant to the well and water lines and on how to remove it after disinfection without damaging the septic system in the process. After disinfection, a water sample is taken to confirm the absence of coli form bacteria in the water supply.
- Water Samples: (Chemical, Bacterial, Pesticide, and Petroleum) the EHS is responsible for taking a variety of water samples for the public after the request has been made to the health department. The EHS schedules an appointment with the well owner to take the sample. For biological samples, the well must first be inspected to see that its construction meets state and local regulations. The EHS advises homeowners on ways to repair and properly protect the water supply when problems are found to exist. The EHS must properly obtain the water sample according to prescribed procedures on the type of sample being taken. Biological samples must be taken with care as not to contaminate the sample and cause erroneous lab results.
- Interpreting Water Analysis Results: The EHS is responsible for interpreting the water analysis reports to see if they are within local, state, and federal water quality guidelines. The employee must be able to identify problems and to recommend corrective procedures or alternative methods of treating the water to alleviate such problems.
- Water Supply Records: The EHS must maintain all program records including the registration of well drillers and pump installers working in the county. Other records to be kept current are well construction records, work in progress reports, well abandonment reports and daily work logs.
- Well Abandonment and Well Repair: The EHS is responsible for overseeing the abandonment of any well not in use, which is a channel of contamination, or is improperly constructed. Abandonment procedures vary with different types of wells, and the employee must see that the proper method is followed. A permit is issued by the EHS for well abandonment, and he or she must be present to witness and supervise the abandonment procedures. The EHS also issues a permit for the repair of a well other than routine pump maintenance or replacement. These works include deepening, reaming, sealing, screening, redeveloping a well excavation and work those results in breading or opening the well seal.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Two (2) years of directly related experience;
- Or equivalent training, education, and/or experience.
- Must be at least twenty-one years of age to drive a County vehicle.
Valid state driver’s license. Must have no more than three (3) points showing on current DMV records in order to operate County vehicles.
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License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:
Registration is required by North Carolina State Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners under provisions of Chapter 90A of the General Statutes of North Carolina
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of county ordinances, policies, and procedures
- Knowledge of environmental health laws, rules, and procedures
- Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing
- Skill in the use of computers and applicable software programs
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate effectively with other employees and the general public
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal tactfully while enforcing public health laws and regulations
Ability to analyze and comprehend a variety of technical and administrative regulations, records, and reports
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Daily physical efforts include traversing difficult terrain, performing soil borings and inspecting septic tank system installations. This level of effort is exerted daily and can last as much as two hours several times per day.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The EHPS works in the field approximately 75% - 85% of the time with the remaining time doing reports in the office. Fieldwork involves exposure to hazards such as steep and rough terrain, poisonous plants, snakes, insects, animals, and excavations in unsuitable solids every day. Work is performed around heavy equipment, chemicals, raw sewage, inclement weather, and irate, sometimes threatening citizens.
Environmental Health work results in exposure to several safety and health hazards. These include potential bodily danger due to injury from heavy equipment or food processing and cleaning equipment. Additionally, exposure to disease-causing organisms including bacteria and viruses is routine.
EMPLOYER BENEFITS PACKAGE:
- Employer paid Health & Dental Coverage
- Participation in the NC Retirement System
- 401(k) and 457(b) plans available
- Employer paid Life Insurance
- Competitive Vision Insurance
- Annual Performance Pay Increases
- Vacation, Personal, and Sick Leave
- Free Employee Assistance Network
- Free Employee Wellness Clinic
- Discounted Gym Membership
- Paid Holidays
Longevity Pay
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To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Haywood County has the right to revise this position description at any time and does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer
