Environmental Health Officer

Detailed Overview

• Promotes and maintains a high standard of public health, environmental conditions, and environmental control standards; enforces applicable regulations and by-laws;
• identifies all factors detrimental to community and environmental health and for the abatement of same as provided for by applicable rules, regulations and bylaws;
• reviews and drafts new and / or updates standards, programs and controls; carries out a wide variety of public health and environmental control inspectional duties;
• performs education, research, assessments, analytical tasks, and prepares relevant reports. Facilitates community engagement and community capacity building to promote positive change in the environment on population health and the built environment;

advocates for healthy public policies that contribute to population health of a community. This is a multi-site position that will be expected to carry out duties at various sites throughout Fraser Health.

• Responsibilities Investigates complaints on a variety of public health related problems and environmental control matters;
• issues orders and recommendations as required; re-inspects to ensure conformance with applicable regulations and standards;

conducts surveys of conditions to determine existing or potential public health hazards. Inspects various types of food processing and food handling establishments, various types of business premises and buildings, plumbing, water and sewage disposal systems, swimming, spray & swirl pools, tobacco retailers, personal services establishments, child care and residential care facilities, proposed subdivisions and related installations to ensure conformance with applicable regulations and standards.

Performs inspectional, regulatory and enforcement duties on water quality including drinking, recreational and waste water, and other environmental and pollution control matters.

• Performs epidemiological investigations into food borne illness outbreaks, communicable diseases, epidemics of waterborne and zoonotic diseases;
• identifies conditions and initiates investigation into areas which are injurious or potentially hazardous to human health;

initiates and conducts health assessments; issues instructions or recommendations on remedial action and follows up to ensure implementation and compliance.

Investigates and participates in pest management control. Participates in continuous quality improvement / quality assurance activities.

• Conducts research and public health studies, assessments and reviews; compiles, assembles and analyzes data related to public health and environmental protection, control and regulatory matters;
• makes recommendations that contribute to the development of improved standards and controls, and best practice for the profession and the organization;
• reviews and drafts applicable by-laws, standards, regulations and policies. Prepares reports on investigational and inspectional work performed;
• obtains samples and specimens food, liquid and other material; submits for testing and analysis; interprets laboratory results;

collects evidence of violations of by-laws and regulations; appears as a witness in court prosecutions and Environmental Appeal Board hearings as required.

Provides consultation, education and technical support to a variety of clients including the general public, private industry, licensed professionals, government agencies and municipalities;

interprets and provides advice and guidance on applicable environmental health regulations, legislation, policies and procedures and general environmental health matters.

Reviews and assesses plans or proposals for the operation or construction of a variety of facilities for conformance to appropriate regulations;

makes recommendations relative to building permit and business license issuance. Facilitates community engagement and community capacity building to optimize planning and implementation of provincial population health strategies.

Evaluates key factors of the built environment and makes recommendations to ensure positive affect on population health.

Prepares, conducts and / or advocates evidence based environmental health education programs and community education and awareness campaigns to a variety of target audiences or end users to inform and / or effect behavioural changes;

evaluates effectiveness of educational programs. Develops and / or sources related materials as required. Participates in and / or represents FH Health Protection program on various community based and in-house committees.

Contributes to the practicum experience of students by providing supervision, clinical education and guidance, and providing feedback on performance.

Provides orientation to new employees on equipment, policies and related work procedures as directed. Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications Education, Training & Experience Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health degree, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada) granted by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI). Eligible for registration with the BC Branch of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.

Pesticide Applicator's certificate. Valid BC Class V Driver’s License and possession of a personal vehicle. Skills & Abilities Ability to analyze and interpret test and inspection results, and determine compliance or corrective action in the inspection of public facilities.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including speaking in public and preparing reports. Ability to establish effective working relationships with others.

Ability to work independently under limited supervision in a geographic area, and to organize and prioritize work. Ability to read and interpret complex technical documents, such as legislative acts and regulations, architectural and engineered plans, and chemical and bacteriological laboratory reports.

Ability to enforce acts and regulations and to issue violation tickets in a calm, firm, and consistent manner under stressful conditions.

Ability to operate related equipment such as sampling equipment and recorders. Ability to use a wide variety of related computer software applications.

Ability to teach in a group environment. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.