POSITION:  Environmental Health Specialist/Septic

DEPARTMENT:  Department of Health - Environmental Unit

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

JOB CATEGORY:  PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)

SALARY: Up to $57,330.00/year

STATUS:  Full-time

FLSA STATUS:  Non-exempt

DATES: December 16, 2025, until filled

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 Environmental Health Specialist/Septic for the St. Joseph County Environmental Unit of Department of Health, 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.  

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

Incumbent is responsible for proper completion of assigned tasks, with desired results clearly specified. Unusual situations or problems are discussed with the supervisor, and incumbent is responsible for applying standard departmental practices and precedents to individual work assignments. Work product is periodically assessed for overall conformity with guidelines and standard departmental practices.

Inspects sites prior to construction of septic and sewage disposal systems, including conducting soil tests and reviewing landscape features, identifying problems, reviewing, and approving septic designs, and/or taking corrective action as needed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and legal requirements.

Develops minimum specifications for septic systems that meet applicable laws and legal requirements, including, but not limited to, reviewing property tax records, applications, and soil borings.

Performs mosquito surveillance.

Responds to requests, questions, and problems concerning septic systems, wells, and related environmental concerns, providing information and assistance, explaining procedures, conducting inspections, and issuing or denying permits as applicable.

Inspects private wells and septic systems for loan approvals and completes reports and related paperwork as required.

Qualifications

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.

Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, ISDH, EPA, IDEM, Indiana Department of Health, Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association, other government agencies, engineering firms, soil scientists, contractors, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities. 

Ability to testify in legal proceedings/court as necessary.

Ability to occasionally respond to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

Education/Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science, public health, or related field with two (2) years’ experience with environmental issues.

Physical Requirements

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment, in a vehicle, and in the field/outdoors, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting/standing/walking for long periods, driving, walking on uneven terrain, working in wet/icy surroundings and extreme temperatures, working near fumes/odors/dust/dirt and in noisy environments, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling objects occasionally weighing over 50 pounds, bending/reaching, crouching/kneeling, handling/grasping/fingering objects, close/far vision, color and depth perception, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication. Incumbent is frequently exposed to hazards normally associated with construction sites and inspection of public health and environmental protection problems. Safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others, including wearing protective clothing/equipment. Incumbent may be exposed to irate/hostile persons.

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended hours, evenings, and/or weekends, respond to emergencies on 24-hour basis, and travel out of town for training, sometimes overnight.