Environmental Health Technician I - Food Safety

Environmental Health Technician I

Food Safety)

The Position

SUMMARY : Under close supervision, the Environmental Health Technician assists Environmental Health Specialists in performing routine tasks associated with the inspection and enforcement of food safety and other applicable health and consumer protection laws.

Individuals assigned to this position are expected to learn and apply an understanding of food, water, and vector-borne communicable diseases and their means of transmission and control.

The position requires frequent weekend work and occasional adjustments to normal working hours.

Other duties may include a range of activities in the environmental health field as required and related to the classification of an Environmental Health Technician.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

• the following activities may be covered under this job specification : food, living environment, water recreation, liquid waste, schools, vector control, land use, chemical or physical hazards, and solid waste.
• Organize, review, and perform health and safety inspections at temporary food service events.
• Perform inspections in risk level one or level two food establishments.
• Draft inspection reports, letters, and other records for review.
• Respond to public health emergency drills / exercises or actual events as requested.
• Understand, apply, and explain basic food safety procedures to industry members and general public.
• Maintain accurate and complete records and enter results into a computer database.
• Participate in the review of pertinent rules and regulations.
• Work with the public in a courteous manner in situations which can be confrontational or hostile.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in an effective manner.
• Maintain confidentiality as required and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Provide education to individuals or groups on health-related issues, regulations, policies, and standards.
• Be able to use various test sampling, monitoring, measuring and laboratory supplies and equipment and specialized protective gear as directed.
• Potentially help ship biological or laboratory specimens as needed.
• Prioritize and schedule work to ensure completion of assigned tasks.
• Continue to build knowledge of environmental health principles and practices.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Use of various sampling, monitoring, measuring and laboratory supplies and equipment and specialized protective gear as needed.
• Assist with shipping biological or laboratory specimens as needed.
• Prioritize and schedule work to ensure completion of inspection requirements.
• Respond to public health emergency drills / exercises or actual events as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• Knowledge of communicable diseases, their means of transmission and methods of control, principles of foodborne disease transmission and control, principles of vector control, principles of general sanitation and environmental law.
• Ability to interpret regulations; explain disease control and inspection methods to the public; and write clear narrative reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, coworkers, and the public.
• Ability to learn and utilize specialized software programs.
• Ability to prioritize and schedule work.
• Ability to listen attentively and communicate effectively and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, in clear, concise language appropriate for the purpose and parties addressed.
• Ability to deal with the public in a courteous manner in situations which can be confrontational or hostile.
• Ability to instruct groups or individuals and represent the agency in a professional manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality as required and manage sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to work with various cultural and ethnic groups in an effective manner

The Requirements & Selection Process

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : To perform these jobs successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education : High School diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree desired. Successful applicants must have satisfactorily completed coursework in Chemistry, Microbiology, or Biology and / or be able to satisfactorily complete related training provided by the District.

Experience : Progression from an EHT I classification to an EHT II classification is based on experience, job knowledge, motivation and performance.

Promotion will be determined at the employee's two-year anniversary performance evaluation. If the EHT I is not advanced to an EHT II, a performance plan written with the program supervisor will be used to ensure the EHT I is progressing satisfactorily.

Certification / Licensure : Must obtain a valid Washington State driver's license within 30 days of employment and have an insured vehicle available for work-related travel.

Must be able to obtain applicable program certifications in a timely manner or as prescribed by law or Division Director.

SELECTION PROCESS : The most qualified applicants, based in part upon evaluation of the completed application and related information will be invited for an interview.

Applications should be submitted to the Senior Human Resources Manager, Brandy McNeill, 7102 W. Okanogan Place, Kennewick, WA 99336.

Or visit and apply on our website at

Criminal Background Check required upon candidate selection.

Job Posted by ApplicantPro