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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Environmental Health Officer I
FLSA: Standard/Non-Exempt EEO Category: (50) Para-Prof
Class Code: 18058 Salary Grade: IE7
Approved: April 12, 2005 Last Revised: December 02, 2022

Purpose:
 

Under the jurisdiction of the Austin/Travis County Health Authority, using basic professional skills and environmental health knowledge, administer environmental health program by conducting inspections, and investigations in the enforcement of public health protection laws, codes, ordinances and regulations. May perform environmental health program activities, conduct inspections in specialty areas, and provide public education.

 
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
  Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

 

  1. Enforces state, county and local health and safety codes and ordinances with the authority to close businesses and facilities for administrative and health hazard violations.
  2. Provides rotating 24/7/365 City/County wide emergency response to public health and environmental emergencies.  
  3. Issues citations, notices of violation, and service requests, and is authorized to impose re-inspection fees/penalties.
  4. Files criminal cases when applicable with the appropriate court of law and provides expert witness testimony in subsequent litigation.
  5. Conducts inspections and investigations in a variety of environmental settings for the purposes of protecting the public health and safety.
  6. Excludes or restricts employee work conditions based on Texas Administrative Code regulations.
  7. Investigates citizen complaints of any location, business or residence if probable cause exists of a public health hazard and develops plan for best practices and compliance.
  8. Detains food or equipment and requires the destruction of product which may be contaminated or pose a health hazard.
  9. Collects and analyzes samples and data and provides recommendations.
  10. Develops, generates and submits surveys and incident reports.
  11. Maintains database/documentation

 

 
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 
  • None.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
Knowledge of the principles, interpretation, and administration of applicable policies, codes, and municipal, State, Federal regulations and guidelines.
  • Knowledge of proper safety practices, procedures and regulations applicable to work being performed.
  • Knowledge of applicable health codes, ordinances and regulations.
  • Skill in analyzing research to determine applicable ordinances, codes, regulations, and statutes.
  • Skill in resolving problems or situations requiring the exercise of good judgment.
  • Skill in communicating, orally and in writing, any violation and the requirements for its improvement and/or rehabilitation to architects, contractors, developers, other City staff, and the public to achieve voluntary compliance.
  • Knowledge of the methods required in reading and interpreting maps and/or plans.
  • Knowledge of computer programs such as databases and word processing.
  • Ability to use digital camera and personal, laptop, and/or notebook computer.
  • Skill in making accurate measurements and computations, and in maintaining records.
  • Ability to use effective time management to meet Federal, State, City, Department, and Division mandated deadlines.
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships other City employees, contractors and the public.
  • Skill in recognizing deviations from drawings and specifications.
Minimum Qualifications:
 
  • Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least thirty (30) semester hours of natural or basic Science.

 

 
Licenses and Certifications Required:
 
  • Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License.
  • State of Texas Professional Sanitarian-in-Training Registration
  • Successful completion of the State of Texas Professional Sanitarian Registration exam within 6 months of employment
    Credentialed as an Environmental Health Specialist/ Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) with the ability to obtain a Texas Registered Sanitarian license within (Six) 6 months of acceptance of position.

 

 

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.