ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANT 41221

07/01/94 E

This is the paraprofessional class in the Environmental Health series which is responsible for performing routine inspections, issuing permits and evaluating the environment to ensure it is free of communicable disease causing or transmitting sources that are harmful to the public. Positions collect sewage system data and water well samples; and assist in responding to animal complaints and insect and rodent investigations. Positions in this class assist Environmental Health Specialists by performing routine tasks associated with inspection duties. The Environmental Health Assistant is distinguished from the Environmental Health Specialists class by duties concerned with gathering of information to support the regulatory duties of Environmental Health Specialists by the absence of regulatory authority and by the absence of tasks requiring technical knowledge and independent judgment in interpreting and applying regulations to a variety of situations to develop action plans, authorize, educate, monitor, and enforce environmental regulatory compliance.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of routine difficulty in one or more environmental program areas to gather information in support of environmental investigations conducted by Environmental Health Specialist class positions. Assists Environmental Health Specialists by collecting and transporting human, animal, milk, dessert, food, shellfish, and water samples, conducting investigations and inspections of routine environmental complaints such as insect and rodent, trash and rabies quarantine verifications. Positions record complaints for further action by Environmental Health Specialists.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Positions in this class receive immediate supervision from an Environmental Health Specialist or higher position which exercises formal line supervisory authority by setting work priorities, methods and work schedules and performance evaluations. Environmental Health Specialists may provide technical guidance related to specific work assignments.

Scope: Positions in this class facilitate the work of Environmental Health Specialists. Regulatory authority is reserved for the Environmental Health Specialists class; therefore, accuracy and reliability of data is the responsibility of the Environmental Health Specialist, Environmental Health Specialist Senior, and the Environmental Health Supervisor for whom the work is performed.

Impact of Actions: Performance by positions in this class may result in clarification of information but no significant monetary impact, decline in service, or loss of goodwill.

Personal Contacts: Positions in this class have frequent internal and external contact with food establishments, contractors, other governmental agencies and the public, to perform duties concerning collections, picking up and delivering soil/ water/food/rabies samples, verifying compliance with Environmental Health Specialist action plans, and investigating routine complaints.

Knowledge: Some basic knowledge of environmental programs.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to follow instructions.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Completion of high school or equivalent with course work in health, biology, chemistry, geology, or a related program.

Level and Type of Experience: None identified for this class.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class replaces the Sanitarian Assistant class, effective July, 1994.