Maniilaq Assoication
10/20


Title: Environmental Health Tech/Specialist I/II/III                              Range: 13+5/14+10/15+12/16+17

Program: Office Environmental Health                                                  Status: Non-Exempt

Housing Priority: None                                                                         Covered: Yes

POSITION SUMMARY

Environmental health professionals identify and evaluate environmental hazards in air, water, soil, food, and other environmental media; and limits exposure to those hazardous agents to protect health. They are responsible for implementing a variety of programs, services, and activities provided by the Office of Environmental Health. On a day-to-day basis Environmental Health Techs and Specialists may work in the field, office, and laboratory settings. These positions are based in Kotzebue, Alaska but requires frequent travel to 11 surrounding rural communities in the Maniilaq Service Area. There are increasing levels of expectations and leadership roles between Tech/Specialist I/II/III position categories. Positons are open to USPHS Commissioned Corp Officers O2/O3 billet level. All environmental health positions report directly to the Environmental Health Manager.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.       Provide a broad range of consultative services encompassing water, wastewater, solid waste, air quality, food safety, pest control, spill response, contaminated site cleanup, injury prevention, and institutional safety.

2.       Serve on a healthy homes team that provides healthy home consultations for referred patients, performs home assessments, distributes healthy homes toolkits, maintains a toolkit inventory, and arranges home improvements.

3.       Serve as lab analyst in the Maniilaq Environmental Health Lab performing chemical and microbiological analysis of environmental samples to assist rural communities with Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act compliance.

4.       Provide technical assistance and training to build the capacity of regional water/sewer/solid waste utilities, tribal environmental programs, and community leaders to support the development of healthy community environments.

5.       Coordinate rabies prevention and control activities that includes training and supplying a volunteer corp of lay vaccinators, supporting community vaccinations clinics, investigating animal bite exposures, coordinating lab specimen submissions, and maintaining a regional vaccination database.

6.       Promote safe traditional foods in support of the Maniilaq traditional foods initiative and assist with the regulatory approvals to harvest, receive, store, process, label and deliver safe wild harvested foods to regional institutions.

7.       Serve on the environmental surveillance team and conduct health and safety surveys of village health clinics, the long-term care facility, and Maniilaq Health Center.

8.       Participate in epidemiological investigations to help control disease outbreaks of an environmental nature.

9.       Conduct and/or work with partners to support research related to environmental and public health concerns in Northwest Alaska.

10.   Foster the development of environmental surveillance systems capable of detecting trends in environmental health exposures and health impacts.

11.   Oversee the implementation of at least one federal grant which requires writing quarterly and annual reports documenting grant related activities, deliverables and achievements.

12.   Identify funding opportunities and prepare written grant proposals to develop a comprehensive environmental health program.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Environmental Health Technician

High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Preferred applicants will possess a Rural Alaska Community Environmental Job Training Program (RACE-JT) certificate or some of its components. Requires the following general qualifications: 1) Must possess a strong environmental ethic, be able to communicate effectively, and follow directions. 2) Must be able to lift 40 lbs, routinely work outdoors, and be willing to travel to communities in small aircraft. 3) Must possess a valid Driver’s License and have a driving record that allows employee to be insured to drive Maniilaq Vehicles.

Environmental Health Specialist I

Requires the general qualifications of the Environmental Health Tech and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health or a related field with at least 30 semester hours in basic science coursework (life sciences, natural sciences, physical sciences, or health sciences). Preferred applicants will possess a NEHA Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) credential or other appropriate professional credential.  If applicants do not possess an REHS, they will be required to achieve one within a year from the date of hire.

Environmental Health Specialist II

All the requirements of Environmental Health Specialist I plus at least two years’ work experience in environmental health.

Environmental Health Specialist III

All of the requirements of Environmental Health Specialist II plus a Master of Science in Environmental Health or a related field with at least 30 semester hours in basic science coursework (life sciences, natural sciences, physical sciences, or health sciences).

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be considered an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in this job, and the employer reserves the right to revise or change this description.  This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the above essential duties ad meet physical demands.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to meet those conditions.