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NEOGOV · 3 hours ago

Environmental Health Specialist Intern/EHS (On-site Wastewater)

Gaston County Public Health Department, NC

Internship

Onsite

Intern, Entry Level

$30.43/hr - $35.37/hr

1+ years exp

Start in 2026 Winter

Gaston County Government is dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens and is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist Intern. The role involves assisting in on-site wastewater inspections, completing training modules, and engaging in emergency preparedness activities to enhance public health.

GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware

No H1B

Responsibilities

Accompany the REHS authorized for on-site wastewater. Observe work and interaction with citizens. Observe various inspections and assist as needed

Attend and complete the NCDHHS-EH Centralized Intern Training general module, Onsite Wastewater. Read all related rules for Onsite Wastewater and Wells. Take the prerequisite online training. Complete all requirements as outlined in the Centralized Intern Training and Authorization documents to become authorized in Onsite Wastewater, Wells, and Migrant Housing

Carry out Performance Management (PM) roles and responsibilities, including identifying and communicating performance improvement opportunities and adjusting performance and practice to achieve established PM goals

Assist in various emergency preparedness activities, such as H1N1, bioterrorism events, or other disease outbreaks. The amount of time worked on preparedness activities will vary based on the type and duration of the incident. Regular job duties will be assigned to other staff as needed. Some job duties may not be accomplished

Onsite Wastewater: Perform site evaluations/inspections for Improvement Permits, Authorization to Construct Permits, Operations Permits, Repair Permits, and Existing System Approvals. To issue these permits, several activities must be performed on the site, including but not limited to soil evaluation (auger borings and backhoe pits), using laser transit to lay out drain fields, using the GEODE to collect data to lock in the site plan and maintain setbacks, and locating existing septic systems with a hand probe. Investigate sewage complaints and issue Notice of Violations. Meeting and communicating with owners, buyers, general contractors, septic contractors, and builders

Well: Perform site inspections for well construction permits, well grout inspections, well head inspections, and well water sampling within the well program. Site inspections require identifying and measuring setbacks on the property or neighboring properties that would affect the placement of a well on the property, meeting with well drillers to observe well grouts, confirming proper well head construction, and collecting water samples using proper methods to ensure accurate results. Meet and communicate with owners, buyers, general contractors, well drillers, and builders

Maintain proper REHS annual continuing education credits by taking or attending online or in-person classes at conferences

Implement strategies aimed at achieving Health Equity, including, but not limited to, attending trainings to better understand inequities, identifying and addressing barriers to health, serving on the Health Equity Team or its subcommittees, and engaging in internal or external efforts to eliminate health disparities

Qualification

Environmental Health ScienceOnsite Wastewater ManagementRegistered Environmental Health SpecialistPublic Health ExperiencePerformance ManagementEmergency PreparednessCommunication SkillsTeam CollaborationProblem Solving

Required

Bachelor's degree or a postgraduate degree from a program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC)

Bachelor's degree or a postgraduate degree in public health, with one or more years of experience in environmental health practice, has earned 45 quarter hours in physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences

Bachelor's degree or graduate degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences and one year of experience in the field of environmental health practice

Must be eligible to become an NC Registered Environmental Health Specialist Intern

A valid driver's License

Registered Environmental Health Specialist with the NC State Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners, authorized in onsite wastewater