Senior Environmental Specialist, Environmental Services

Salary

Stearns County Mission: Provide Exceptional Public Services to Assure a Safe, Healthy, Vibrant County for All.
Stearns County Values: Professional | Approachable | Responsive | Collaborative | Fair & Equitable

Stearns County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, public assistance status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Full Salary Range: $39.30-$57.68/hour

Position Objective
To assist businesses, residents and visitors of Stearns County in identifying and developing policies, training, and systems that address public health risk and safety conditions associated with food, housing and recreational environments.  Conducts and coordinates inspections required for the enforcement of State, County and local ordinances, rules, and regulations relating to environmental health.  Duties include preparation for and response to outbreaks of disease, public health emergency situations and other duties as assigned preventing detrimental effects to the safety and welfare of the Stearns County public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.
 
1. Reviews and approves blueprints, construction plans and licensing for the following establishments:  food, beverage, lodging, manufactured home parks, recreational campgrounds, youth camps and resorts, large gathering events and special event food stands.
2. Identifies and works with establishments that have built or remodeled prior to plan review application and/or approval.
3. Conducts field inspections and investigations for licensed food, beverage, lodging, public pools, recreational vehicle campgrounds, manufactured home parks, youth camps and the sewer and water supplies associated with these facilities to determine compliance with applicable local and Minnesota Codes.
4. Provides education, consultation, technical assistance and guided compliance for applicable State and County Rules and Regulations.
5. Reviews specialized processes and plans and collaborates with clients for variance and appeal applications for the following: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP applications, Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC), non-continuous cooking, acidification of foods, and curing of meats.
6. Assists the Minnesota Department of Health with food/water borne outbreaks.  Identifies and implements corrective measures.
7. Investigates, identifies, and resolves technical code violations for rental dwellings, public health nuisances, trash houses, mold complaints and environmental health complaints.   Determines abatement requirements for violations.
8. Prepares inspections reports, oral briefings and written correspondence based on field inspections and investigations.
9. Collaborates with Public Health, Emergency Management and other agencies during a public health emergency.
10. Interprets and explains Federal, State and Local rules, regulations and laws.
11. Assists with preparing, submitting, and monitoring grants, contracts, and reports.
12. Manages the Stearns County online Food Safety Training program.
13. Attends work regularly and in a timely manner.
14. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications
 In order to be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental health, public health, physical, biological or sanitary sciences or similar field with at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hour credits in physical or biological sciences and two years of related experience
• Valid Minnesota Driver’s License or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire
• Reliable means of transportation to travel to multiple locations around Stearns County, some of which may not be accessible by public transportation
• Must be Registered as Environmental Health Sanitarian/Specialist or ability to obtain within one year of employment and maintain registration thereafter, according to Minnesota Law
• Experience using Microsoft Office Applications

Preferred Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications:

• Standardization as a Food Safety Inspector
• Experience in utilization of EH Manager Inspection Software.
• Experience in advising proprietors on sanitation aspects of new construction and remodeling commercial establishments
• Experience relating to Manufactured Home Park regulations, campground regulations, public pool management and mold remediation

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Knowledge of environmental legislation and the legislative process.
2. Knowledge of risk assessment, epidemiology, and other environmental health sciences regarding food, water, air, housing and recreational environments
3. Knowledge of recognition, elimination and control measures for environmental health hazards
4. Knowledge of environmental health issues.
5. Knowledge of effective education and behavior modification principles.
6. Ability to work non-standard hours including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed to support the department during emergencies.
7. Ability to write clear, concise technical reports.
8. Ability to negotiate effectively.
9. Ability to collaborate and coordinate activities efficiently with other staff and a broad client base.
10. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
11. Ability to exercise sound judgment in the decision-making process.
12. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
13. Ability to inspect, investigate, and remain calm under stressful or emergency situations
14. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees
1. Consistently performs job responsibilities with a positive attitude and in a manner consistent with the County’s mission and values.

2. Develops and maintains a respectful and collaborative professional relationship with all County employees and the public we serve.

3. Values and respects the diversity each employee brings to the organization.

4. Develops and maintains knowledge and understanding of all department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.

5. Complies with all rules and policies to maintain a safe work environment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
The primary responsibilities for this position will be performed approximately 75% of the time indoors and approximately 25% of the time outdoors. Will require frequent travel to off-site locations and minimal attendance at evening meetings. Will have some exposure to health hazards and accidents; requires a low level of physical effort and walks over uneven ground while performing field work. All employees are required to reside within the state of Minnesota. 

Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Environmental Services Supervisor.

Responsibility for Public Contact
Frequent.
 

Hours of Work
This position has a normal work schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; may include some hours outside of normal work hours on occasion. Remote/hybrid work location options with minimum one day/week in office.
 
Interview Date
If you are selected to be interviewed for this position, interviews will be held on March 5, 2026. Invitations to interview will be sent to the email address listed on the job application and will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. A job specific physical, drug and/or psychological exam may be required before appointment.
 

Benefits

To view Stearns County benefits go to: Stearns County Benefits Page

If you require special accommodations to participate in the Stearns County hiring process, please contact us at 320-656-3606.