POSITION:  Vector / Environmental Health Specialists    

DEPARTMENT:  St. Joseph County Department of Health

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M-F

JOB CATEGORY: PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)

SALARY: $57,330/YR, $29.40/HR

STATUS:  Full Time

FLSA STATUS:  Non-Exempt

DATES: 8/11/25

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as a Vector/Environmental Health Specialist for the St. Joseph County Department of Health (DoH), responsible for conducting on-site inspections, providing information and education to the public, and enforcing federal, state, and local public health and environmental protection laws, rules, and regulations, with specific emphasis on those that pertain to mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests of public health importance.

Benefits

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

Responsible for DoH Vector program. Will include monitoring of mosquito, tick, and other vectors, and applying pesticides as needed per best practices, per label directives,  to reduce vector presence.     

Will inspect sites for septic and sewage disposal systems, well, lead risk assessments and related environmental concerns. May also include inspections of tattoo and body piercing parlors, and massage establishments. Will enforce public laws, codes, ordinance and regulations as well as provide related consultation.

Will work and communicate with the general public and will coordinate as needed with city, other county, state and federal agencies.

Qualifications

Possession of and ability to retain possession of certification as a registered Environmental Health

Specialist in the State of Indiana.  

Possession of or ability to obtain Pesticide Applicator’s Certificate, IDEM Lead Risk Assessor/Inspector License, and National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification.

Thorough knowledge of standard principles and practices of public health and environmental protection, with ability to effectively evaluate facility operations and instruct members of the public in application of appropriate procedures.

Working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing environmental protection, with ability to properly review and approve permits, conduct effective investigations, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Education/Experience

Baccalaureate Degree in environmental science, biology, public health, or related field required.  3-5 years of prior work experience greatly preferred.

Physical Requirements

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment and in the field, involving sitting/walking at will, standing/walking for long periods, driving, walking on uneven terrain, lifting/carrying objects weighing 25 to 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, bending, reaching, crouching/kneeling, climbing on roofs, crawling in basements, close/far vision, color/depth perception, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication, and handling/grasping/fingering objects.  Incumbent is frequently exposed to inclement weather and hazards normally associated with the natural environment and inspection of public health and environmental protection problems. Incumbent maintains considerable contact with the public and may be exposed to irate/hostile persons.

Incumbent occasionally works extended, evening and/or weekend hours, and travels out of town for meetings/workshops, sometimes overnight.  Incumbent occasionally responds to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.