Environmental Health Specialist I – Food and Lodging

Buncombe County Government

Environmental Health Specialist conducting inspections and enforcing compliance with public health laws in Buncombe County. Engaging in fieldwork and educational outreach regarding food and lodging standards.

Posted 7/1/2026full-timeAsheville • North Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $28 - $33 per hourWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Conduct required inspections, respond to complaints, and perform follow-up visits in a variety of program areas
Enforce compliance with state, local, and federal environmental and public health laws, and regulations
Investigate environmental related complaints, health related nuisances, and reports of food borne illness
Perform routine inspections, visits, and critical violation visits to ensure that food and lodging facilities, swimming pools, institutions, childcare centers, schools, tattoo artists and lead investigations are meeting standards
Seek corrective actions where needed and educate managers, operators and staff of various facilities and establishments on safe handling processes and sanitation procedures
Keep accurate and detailed inspection records as mandated by the state
Assist EPI team and other staff in the event of a food borne outbreak
Seek legal remedies under the advice of the program supervisor and division director to abate health nuisances or prosecute individuals for failure to comply with public health laws and rules

Requirements

What you’ll need

Graduated with a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree in Environmental Health from a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council
Graduated with a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree and earned a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences
Bachelor’s degree in public health, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Registration is required by the N.C. State Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners under the provisions of Chapter 90A of the General Statues of North Carolina
Required to attend and pass the centralized training provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Must be able to pass state authorization evaluations and test for specific program areas in order to perform duties
Must pass the REHS exam within the timeframe established by the Board.

Benefits

Comp & perks

8% County contribution to employee 401(k) - you don't have to contribute anything from your paycheck
Free physical therapy
Employee and Family Health clinic with $5 co-pay
$0 Tier-1 generic prescriptions
10+ vacation days per year
12 sick days & 13 paid holidays
Flexible Spending Account

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

InspectionsInvestigationsSanitation ProceduresRecord KeepingCorrective ActionsFood SafetyHealth Nuisance AbatementPublic Health LawsEnvironmental RegulationsComplaint Response

Soft Skills

CommunicationEducationProblem SolvingCollaborationAttention to Detail

Certifications

REHS CertificationState Authorization Evaluations