POSITION DESCRIPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER
POSITION DESCRIPTION
1. TITLE:
Environmental Health Officer
2. LEVEL:
Negotiated
3. DEPARTMENT/SECTION:
Health
4. POSITION OBJECTIVES:
4:1 Objectives of Position:
Promote and maintain high standard of Environmental Health for the district.
Assist residents in matters pertaining to building and environmental health.
4:2 Within Organisation:
Advise Council and liaise with the Principal Environmental Health Officer/Building Surveyor and Chief Executive Officer and other authorities on matters pertaining to environmental health.
Liaison with applicants, Shire Staff, and Public Authorities to ensure compliance with Statutory Requirements and Council Policies.
5. REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB:
5.1 Skills
Time management/project planning skills.
Management and Supervisory - Staff/Human Resources.
Developed communication skills - written and verbal.
Public relations and interpersonal skills.
Research/Investigative skills.
Interpretation/Analytical skills.
Developed negotiating skills.
Developed problem solving skills.
5.2 Knowledge:
Comprehensive knowledge of Health Act and related legislation.
Sound knowledge of Local Laws and Council policies
Sound knowledge of computer operations, Word and Excel.
Sound knowledge of Occupational Health legislation.
Working knowledge of all Local Government legislation and Local Laws.
Developed knowledge of administrative and legal procedures.
Developed knowledge of local area, soil types, aesthetics etc.
Developed knowledge of administrative and legal procedures.
Basic knowledge of court procedures.
5.3 Experience:
Three to five years within the Local Government industry as an Environmental Health Officer would be an advantage but not necessarily a requirement.
5.4 Qualifications and/or Training
Bachelor Applied Science (Environmental Health) or Diploma RSH (Public Health).
Eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Environmental Health.
Authorised person – noise Abatement/EPA.
Hold a current "C" class MDL.
6 KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensure compliance with requirements of Health Act and related legislation, particularly Food Hygiene Regulations, Infectious Diseases notification and follow up Public Buildings Regulations and Noise Abatement.
Report to the Principal Environmental Health Officer/Building Surveyor on health matters.
Liaise with Public Authorities, Government Departments, Developers and public environmental health matters.
Inspect and report on food handling premises.
Inspect and report on sub standard housing.
Carry out water sampling of potable water supplies, semi-public swimming pools and sewerage reuse schemes within the Shire of Northampton.
Supervise waste disposal systems and control disposal sites ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and refuse site DEC licences.
Represent Council in meetings with other authorities and in legal proceedings related to environmental health.
Other duties related to Environmental Health as directed by Principal Environmental Health Officer/Building Surveyor or the Chief Executive Officer.
Manage and ensure compliance of operations as per approved licences for Councils three refuse sites.
Manage all matters relating to refuse collection sand disposal.
Other
The Shire of Northampton also provides health services as above to the Shire of Chapman Valley and Shark Bay on a contract basis.
Other duties as directed by Principal Environmental Health Officer/Building Surveyor or the Chief Executive Officer.
7 ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
7:1 Responsible to:
Principal Environmental Health Officer/Building Surveyor
7:2 Supervision of:
No direct supervision of other staff
7:3 Internal and External Liaison:
Internal
President and Councillors, All other staff and employees.
External
Public Authorities, Community Groups and Associations, Government Departments, Suppliers, Consultants, Legal Practitioners and the General Public.
8 EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:
Operates under direction of the Principal Environmental Health Officer/Building Surveyor.
As authorised by the Health Act, Local Government Act, Building Code of Australia, Environmental Protection Act and other related legislation.
As directed and delegated by the Principal Environmental Health Officer/Building Surveyor
9. SELECTION CRITERIA:
Essential
Sound knowledge of powers and duties of an Environmental Health Officer, legislative and administrative duties.
Qualifications acceptable to Commissioner of Health.
Sound knowledge of Local Laws pertaining to Local Government Authorities.
Sound knowledge of the requirements for the administering of Occupational Safety and Health legislation.
Sound knowledge of computer programmes including Microsoft word, excel and outlook.
Time management/project planning skills.
Management and Supervisory - Staff/Human Resources.
Developed communication skills - written and verbal.
Public relations and interpersonal skills.
Research/Investigative skills.
Interpretation/Analytical skills.
Developed negotiating skills.
Developed problem solving skills.
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