Amber, Congratulations on your new job! Your question is quite valid. And I admire your enthusiasm. I'd like to offer another perspective on probationary employees as a general comment. I've been in the chemical/inspection/laboratory business for about 25 years and I can remember only 3 probationary employees who were not successful, and many more who just barely squeaked by. None were ever dismissed for lack of professional competence, it always had something to do with trying too hard to impress the boss that resulted in alienating established employees. The probationary employee was inevitably dismissed for being a non-team player. Successful probationary employees generally play "low ball", take lots of notes, thank and complement established employees for sharing information, and try not to make too many mistakes, helpful suggestions, or jokes. Keep that up for six months and you'll be fine and you'll definitely shine once you're past the probationary period. Eric Eric Clark, MS, CCHO, CHMM Safety & Compliance Officer Los Angeles County Public Health Laboratory >>> Amber Potts3/16/2011 11:54 AM >>> All, I will be inspecting any establishment that sells food, such as full service restaurants, gas stations, day care centers, schools, fast food etc. Also I will inspect food distribution warehouses, public/semi-public pools, storm water and industrial waste haulers. I work for the Health Department so I am basically inspecting these places to ensure the safety and health of its customers. I also respond to citizen complaints, such as oil in driveways, food borne illnesses and vector control. I am basically a health inspector. Our city is unique in that we also respond to all east north Texas HAZMAT incidents. I am attending HAZMAT training in Alabama in May. We have 'million dollar truck' for HAZMAT scenes that is equipped with chemical identification instruments, glove box and decontamination station. I am only one of two people with a chemistry degree, everyone else is either biology or environmental science. So I really want to bring a chemical perspective to the department. Thanks, Amber Potts Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:20:52 -0500 From: joanna.shimek**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Environmental Health Specialist To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Amber, We could narrow your reading list if you would describe your responsibiliti es. Jo Anna Shimek, PhD, CIH, CSP On Wed, Mar 16, 2011 at 11:54 AM, Amber Potts wrote: Hey all, I just got my first job out of college as an Environmental Health Specialist. I am very excited!! Does anyone have any advice on ACS webinars or books that would help me excel during my probationary period? Any comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Amber Potts
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