The primary purpose of the Environmental Health Technician is to support the Environmental Health Section’s programs with Environmental Health Services, On-Site Water Protection, and Food/Lodging/Institution Program. Each program requires assistance through data capture and compilation, monitoring onsite wastewater systems per 15A NCAC 18A.1900, collection of water samples as mandated, food safety education, and staff and public education of public health concerns.

1. Onsite Wastewater Program: Verify lot preparation for evaluations for Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) and GIS data collection and site sketch generation. Compile data and background information essential for complaint investigations, including documenting, tracking, and monitoring of all complaints within the program. Initial complaint investigations may be required prior to Registered Environmental Health Specialists takes regulatory action. Assist with identifying all onsite systems subject to system management within the county as required by 15A NCAC 18A .1900. Contact owners and management entities of systems to obtain current information and provide educational/informational materials. Maintain the monitoring program spreadsheet.

2. Administrative: Provide support to the Registered Environmental Health Specialists. Maintain database to track permits and activities related to wells and septic systems on properties counties in Region 6. Enter data into database as well as tracking spreadsheet. Scan onsite and well files into database to include parcel number, address, owner’s name, and subdivision name. Provide reports of environmental health programs as needed. Maintain database of water samples taken. Assist in the preparation of all water samples to be delivered by the courier service to the state water sampling lab.

3. Private Well Program: Assist with sampling all newly constructed wells and existing wells within the county. Contact owners to obtain current information, schedule sample visits, and provide educational/informational materials. Conduct preliminary and follow up visits of wells and report findings to Registered Environmental Health Specialist. Compile data and background information essential for complaint investigations, including documenting, tracking, and monitoring of all complaints within the program. Initial complaint investigations may be required prior to Registered Environmental Health Specialists takes regulatory action. Track new wells to ensure required water samples are taken within 30 days of certificate of completion.

4. Environmental Health Services/ Food and Lodging Program: Coordinate the mandated education of all food handlers for counties in Region 6. Provide additional in-service training for food handling establishments that struggle to meet the desired goals of the FDA Risk Factors for proper food handling. Provide mandated verification visits to those food handling establishments that failed to meet the desired goals of the FDA Risk Factors for proper food handling during a routine inspection. Responsible for collection, maintaining, updating, and verifying all Temporary Food Establishment applications and prepare all documentation for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist to use 
for inspection. Compile data and background information essential for complaint investigations, including documenting, tracking, and monitoring of all complaints within the program. Initial complaint investigations may be required prior to Registered Environmental Health Specialists takes regulatory action.

Required Minimum Training: 
Minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Science and one year of experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities to perform administrative office work and field activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of basic mathematics. Ability to read, explain and apply regulations. Ability to understand basic technical data. Ability to communicate, persuasively and effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to conduct written and oral assignments. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public. Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and reports. Excellent computer skills with good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.

Additional Training/Experience:
Attendance of Basic Wells Workshop within first year in position is required. Safe Plates training required within first year.

About Cumberland County Department of Public Health

The Department of Public Health provides an array of services to the citizens of the County. Federal, State and County tax money fund the Health Department. Grants and fees for services generate additional funds. The Health Department is governed by the Cumberland County Board of Health, which is composed of up to eleven members appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The Health Department was founded in 1911 as the Cumberland County/Fayetteville City Board of Sanitation and Health, but it had no paid employees. In 1923, a part-time physician and two nurses were hired as the first paid employees. The Public Health Center is located at 1235 Ramsey Street and operates three satellite offices throughout the County.

Connections working at Cumberland County Department of Public Health