Associate Specialist, Environmental Health

Position Summary

Candidates must be local to Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC. 

The Associate Specialist, Environmental Health supports APHL’s US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded work plan activities related to public health laboratory activities in human biomonitoring, overdose biosurveillance, and chemical threat preparedness. The incumbent of this position works with the Environmental Health Manager to implement project activities and provides administrative assistance to the Director of Environmental Health.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides coordination, administrative support, and project management to the Environmental Health Manager to implement environmental health program activities, particularly activities of the National Biomonitoring Network.
• Organizes and coordinates committee activities, workgroup meetings, training, and associated staff and member travel related to environmental health program activities.
• Provides administrative support to the Director of Environmental Health and other environmental health staff to implement APHL work plans for strengthening laboratory programs related to environmental health emergency response and other areas as assigned.
• Enlists qualified APHL member and staff experts and non-member experts to implement environmental health activities, organizes project teams, monitors overall project performance, and reports on project outcomes.
• Writes scopes of work and requests for proposals, monitors consultant and vendor contracts, and reviews and evaluates technical and non-technical reports prepared by consultants and contractors.
• Takes meeting notes and writes summary reports and articles for newsletters and other APHL publications.
• Procures supplies and contributes to the preparation and distribution of collateral materials for meetings.
• Assists in the creation and dissemination of invitation letters and awards for events.
• Maintains communication with APHL committees, CDC and other partners by telephone, e- mail and direct meetings, and represents APHL interests at meetings, trainings, and workshops.
• Communicates program activities and administrative reporting requirements with funders and other partners.
• Tracks expenses, submits and manages reimbursement requests to accounting, and writes corresponding reports for assigned projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Employment Standards- Education and Experience

• This is either the entry level for staff members with a Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, in an area of specialization or a senior level administrative position that requires substantive, relevant experience.
• The work performed is typically routine in nature, following standard processes, procedures, and solutions, and includes basic project coordination (organizing, budgeting, and complex scheduling), research, analysis and writing.
• The Associate Specialist works under immediate supervision. Incumbents must know the fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization.
• Positions at this level require a college education, possibly with a minimal level of work experience (or some equivalent preparation), or significant experience as a Senior Technician or the equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skills: Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook email systems. Experience with Share Point preferred and an adaptive nature to new computer programs and other digital tools. Excellent organizational, time management, verbal and written communication skills.
• Abilities: Ability to establish working relationships with diverse groups; ability to work independently; ability to multitask, organize work projects, appropriately prioritize tasks, and complete tasks within assigned timeframes.

APHL Weeks:

APHL Week is a Conference/Convention that is held at the APHL Home Office Bethesda, MD. This event is mandatory for all employees to attend. Travel and lodging will be reimbursed by APHL.

Please Note: Reimbursement for travel and lodging may not be possible for employees that are local to the APHL Home Office.

Position Description Status:

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are illustrative ones anticipated for this position. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as required. Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) reserves the right to amend or change this job description to meet the needs of its programs. This job description and any attachments do not constitute or represent a contract.

Work Environment:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a colleague to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
During the job, the colleague may need to sit for extended periods, use a computer keyboard to type, read information visually, and communicate orally through a computer monitor.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement:

APHL is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.