Environmental Health Technician

Definition

Definition: Under close supervision of the Environmental Health Manager, provides analytical and detail-oriented skills to support of the Community's Environmental Health Program. Primary focus is on learning the Environmental Health Program objectives and practical support application under guidance and direction of the Environmental Health Manager. Main emphasis areas are learning environmental health support, health and safety inspections, the Community's Child Seat Program, Pest and Vector Control plus rabies, animal control and program metrics. Providing work experience necessary to advance to the Environmental Health Specialist role is a high priority. This job class is treated as FLSA Non-Exempt.

Distinguishing Features: The Environmental Health Technician job class is distinguished from the Environmental Health Specialist by more program learning, entry-level tasks, duties, responsibilities and assigned projects so the Environmental Health Specialist and Environmental Health Manager are freed up for more complex projects. The Technician provides full administrative and operational support for the Environmental Health Program staff and Manager but works diligently to refine skills and knowledge necessary to advance within the career field.

Essential Functions: Essential functions may vary among positions and may include the following tasks and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

Examples of Tasks

1. Environmental Health Support: Assists with all aspects of the Community's Environmental Health Program with special emphasis on learning and assisting with duties performed by the Environmental Health Specialist and Environmental Health Manager.

• Includes mandated and regularly scheduled health inspections and periodic special events inspections held on the SRPMIC.
  
• Attends Food Handler training classes thru to successful certification. Maintains Food Handler certification currency.
  
• Participates on the Community's disease outbreak response team.
  
• Assists with home plan reviews and safety/health evaluations. This includes all follow-up requirements with the homeowner to ensure safe and healthy living environments for Community Members.
  
• Participates, and accomplishes, special projects as assigned by the Environmental Health Manager.
  

2. Environmental Health Inspections: Initially trains to provide support for all mandated health inspections and works towards full functionality for basic health inspections.

• Learns how to conduct comprehensive and proper inspections of residences, food establishments, trailer parks, swimming pools, cosmetology establishments, child care facilities, clinical service settings, etc.
  
• Assist the Environmental Health Specialist in conducting home evaluations regarding pest infestation, safety and general sanitation.
  
• Learns about comprehensive construction plan reviews and specifications concerning the environmental health aspects of proposed establishments.
  
• May participate on the SRPMIC Design Review Committee as assigned.
  
• Learns the process for Community swimming pool inspections and assumes that responsibility once trained.
  
• When trained and supervised, assists with special event food and overall health inspections.
  

3. Community Child Seat Safety Program: Acts as the Community primary resource and point-of-contact for the Child Seat Safety Program that is designed to prevent child injury.

• Obtains child car seat technician certification and assist Community Members with car seat procurement and installation as needed.
  
• Establishes and maintains the programs set of policies, practices and procedures for the Child Seat Safety Program.
  
• Conducts car seat inspections after certification.
  
• Works closely with other government entities regarding oversight, outreach, supply, installation and monitoring the program.
  
• Maintains statistics and other metrics for the Child Seat Program then provides status reports as required.
  

4. Pest & Vector Control: Learns to coordinate all pest and vector control tasks and responsibilities.

• Helps conduct weekly monitoring for West Nile Virus during the months of April through September. Learns the processes for providing public education regarding West Nile Virus and, ultimately, is able to conduct this training and education without assistance.
  
• Assists with the evaluation and treatment of small breeding sites (
• Helps work with outside contracted licensed pest control applicator businesses to treat large areas when monitoring indicates a problem may exist.
  
• Evaluates and provides professional assistance concerning infestations of flies, cockroaches, bed bugs and other arthropods that may be of Public Health significance. Work with Community licensed pest control applicators to mitigate identified problems.
  
• Helps monitor mosquito trappings.
  
• Assists with the investigation of areas associated with insect or rodent infestation.
  
• Helps set and monitoring vector traps to prevent vector-borne disease throughout the Community (such as West Nile Virus).
  
  

5. Rabies & Animal Control: Helps provide and coordinate animal care and control service plans including rabies and immunization clinics, spay and neuter clinics, neglect and cruelty investigations, etc.

• Helps collaborate with other SRPMIC entities and IHS Sanitarians regarding rabies and animal control issues.
  
• Helps schedule and assist with three (3) annual Spay and Neuter Clinics.
  
• Helps schedule and assist with two (2) annual Rabies Clinics.
  
• Assists with providing routine vaccination of Community pets.
  
• Learns the proper techniques and follow-up actions for responding to animal complaints.
  
• Assists with the disposition of dog bite complaints.
  
• Assists with the disposition of animal abuse investigations.
  
• Maintain adequate supplies of animal vaccines.
  
• Helps coordinate the Spay/Neuter Clinic and Rabies Clinic organization and operation.
  
• Coordinates the inventory of supplies and reorders as needed.
  

6. Operations & Administration: Provides comprehensive administrative and operational support for the Environmental Health Program.

• In cooperation with the Salt River Police Department (SRPD), establishes and maintains an accurate, timely and credible database system to track Division metrics including, but not limited to, health and safety issues, injury data, dog bites, rabies vaccinations administered, animal control matters, disease outbreaks, pest control issues, etc.
  
• Assists with the development and updates for the Community's public health and safety codes.
  
• Helps ensure compliance with all Community ordinances, codes, rules and regulations by all public and private facilities and groups within the Community and along the economic corridor.
  
  

7. Continuing Environmental Health Education: Works to obtain the appropriate training and work experience necessary for the Technician level position and that leads to becoming an Environment Health Specialist.

• Works towards certification as a Registered Sanitarian with the State of Arizona which is a requirement for a Health Inspector. This is accomplished either by the proper college education with enough natural science credits or work as a sanitarian aide under the supervision of a Registered Sanitarian for at least 5 years.
  

8. Miscellaneous: Performs other job related duties as assigned by the Environmental Health Manager, Assistant HHS Director (Health) or HHS Director.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of the culture, customs, traditions, history and government of the Salt River Pima- Maricopa Indian Community.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health, sanitation, epidemiology, control of communicable diseases and vector control.
• Knowledge of local and Tribal health planning and service agencies and organizations.
• Knowledge of resources within and outside the Community related to community health.
• Knowledge of community public health codes, regulations and operating procedures.

• Skill establishing and maintaining effective relationships with Community members Administration, Tribal Government Departments, Community Enterprises, SRPMIC staff and co-workers, regulatory and resource agencies and other outside entities.
• Skill learning the evaluation of community environmental health needs then utilizing Community resources to address those needs.
• Skill in effective communication and customer service.

• Ability to help organize multiple projects/priorities.
• Ability to make program improvement suggestions.
• Ability to learn to identify non-compliance issues.
• Ability to promote program objectives, develop measurable outcomes and provide services in accordance with program objectives.
• Ability to work with clients of all ages and abilities.
• Ability to teach public health content matter.
• Ability to utilize the personal computer and related software including MS Office to fulfill job requirements.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, such as facsimile, photocopier and calculator.
• Ability to attend off-site meetings.
• Ability to drive various SRPMIC vehicles.
• Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• For enrolled Community Members without a GED, must obtain a GED. Requires participation in the HR GED Program and successful completion of the Arizona state certified exam in order to continue employment with SRPMIC.
• Must obtain Child Car Seat technician Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Must obtain Food Handler's Card within six (6) months of hire.
• Accredited college or university credits in public health, sanitary science, environmental health or a closely related field is highly preferred.

• Experience: Health and/or safety related experience in a Native American Community is highly preferred.
• Work experience in a public health setting is preferred.

• Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and experience that will allow the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be considered.

Special Requirements

• Special Requirements: May be required to work outside normal work hours including nights, weekends and holidays including special event inspections conducted on weekends.
• May be required to travel.
• Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the "Community Code of Ordinances", Chapter 11, "Minors", Article X. "Investigation of Persons Working With Children".

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:
1) attach to application
2) fax (480) 362-5860
3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.
Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted.
Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.

Benefits:

The SRPMIC offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. In addition employees enjoy vacation and sick leave and 13 paid holidays.