Job Specifications

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

Under supervision, perform routine surveys of septic systems; collect field samples of water and waste; perform basic laboratory tests; investigate complaints about sewage or garbage; and perform other duties as required.

Positions in this class perform a variety of tests, surveys, inspections, and follow up activities, including referrals, to ensure compliance. Incumbents investigate complaints and refer problems to the professional staff. Incumbents work independently in the field within fixed guidelines.

This position differs from the Wastewater Disposal Technician in that the latter investigates and evaluates wastewater disposal systems, and recommends appropriate system improvements, while the Environmental Health Aide will only identify septic system failures, and then refer the failure to the appropriate staff.

The Environmental Health Aide differs from the Environmental Health Specialist series in that the latter inspect and investigate a broader range of environmental health and safety conditions; enforce Federal, State, County and local environmental health and safety laws, ordinances and regulations; obtain compliance or corrective action; and are required to obtain and maintain registration as an Environmental Health Specialist pursuant to State law.

Conduct field surveys of septic tanks; maintain records and, under direction, prepare reports; maintain computerized data base for water quality data and field inspections; collect samples of suspected septic tank failure; report problems to Environmental Health Specialists; collect water, sewage, septic tank and shellfish samples; follow procedures to ensure samples are uncontaminated; document samples collected and return samples to the laboratory for testing; may perform basic field and laboratory tests on samples collected; investigate complaints about sewage and garbage, determine kind of complaint and refer problems to Environmental Health Specialists; explain state and local regulations and County recommended procedures pertaining to sanitation; and assist professional staff as needed.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Working knowledge of:

• Recordkeeping practices.
• Methods of organizing work.

• Interviewing techniques.
• Data entry on a computer.
• Data collection techniques.
• Natural sciences or environmental studies.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Keep and maintain records and write basic reports.
• Make arithmetic calculations.
• Move across broken or hilly terrain that may be slippery or wet.
• Learn to take a variety of uncontaminated field samples.
• Learn to detect and resolve unsanitary conditions and public health hazards.
• Learn state laws, local ordinances and regulations governing some aspects of environmental health and sanitation.
• Work independently in the field.
• Learn to read parcel maps and plot plans.
• Learn to recognize soils and other site conditions that affect septic system performance.
• Learn safe and clean laboratory procedures.
• Organize survey routes for maximum efficiency.

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledges and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these knowledges and abilities would be:

Two years of experience which includes recordkeeping and public contact. Education in natural sciences or environmental studies may be substituted for one year of experience on an hour for hour basis.

License Requirements: Possession of a valid class C California driver license.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: Variable temperatures and weather conditions which include exposure to sun; allergens such as poison oak, pollen and bee stings; odors caused by septic failures; hostile individuals; and the possibility of exposure to infections which might cause chronic disease or death.

Bargaining Unit: General Rep

EEOC Job Category: 05

Occupational Grouping: 74

Worker's Comp Code: 0285