Placer County

Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Assistant (#14519)

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$36.09-$45.08 Hourly / $6,255.60-$7,813.87 Monthly / $75,067.20-$93,766.40 Yearly

Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Associate (#14520)

We are currently accepting applications for this position.
To apply, please close this pop-up window and then click on Current Openings.

$39.79-$49.70 Hourly / $6,896.93-$8,614.67 Monthly / $82,763.20-$103,376.00 Yearly


DEFINITION

To administer and enforce federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and regulations related to public health and sanitation; to encourage sound sanitary and environmental health practices; and to protect the environment and the public.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist  
This is the entry level in the Registered Environmental Health Specialist series. Positions in this class are distinguished from the Environmental Health Trainee by the possession of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California Department of Public Health. This class is distinguished from the Associate level by the performance of the less complex tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the Associate level.

Associate Registered Environmental Health Specialist
This is the second level class in the Registered Environmental Health Specialist series. This class is distinguished from the Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist by the assignment of more complex duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit and are often assigned special projects requiring advanced knowledge of statues, ordinances, and regulations related to public health and sanitation. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant level upon demonstration of competency and knowledge involving the administration and enforcement of statutes, ordinances, and regulations related to public health and sanitation. In some cases, depending on the complexity of duties and job performance, an employee may remain classified as an Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist indefinitely.

The Associate Registered Environmental Health Specialist is distinguished from the Senior Registered Environmental Health Specialist in that the latter is an advanced journey level where incumbents perform the most complex and specialized work in environmental health and act in a lead capacity assigning, directing, and reviewing the work of an environmental health team.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist

Receives general supervision from the Supervising Environmental Health Specialist and may receive technical and functional supervision from the Associate and/or Senior  Registered Environmental Health Specialist.

Associate Registered Environmental Health Specialist 


Receives direction from the Supervising Environmental Health Specialist and may receive technical and functional supervision from the Senior Registered Environmental Health Specialist. May exercise technical and functional supervision over assigned technical, clerical, and less experienced professional staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Inspect and evaluate restaurants and other retail food establishments, public bathing, spa, and other recreational and institutional facilities that are of a more complex nature; provide food handling education and other relevant public health and sanitation information; and participate in state-mandated food recalls.
  • Conduct plan checks of new or remodel construction plans for restaurant, pool and spa facilities, and hazardous materials storage and monitoring systems relative to regulatory compliance; investigate complaints about sewage and various public health nuisances; conduct epidemiological investigations; handle housing and vector complaints; and investigate food borne illnesses.
  • Conduct site evaluations of proposed developments, including soils testing, to determine site capability for sewage disposal; evaluate submitted designs and proposed septic systems relative to site conditions; evaluate feasibility of proposed subdivisions and set conditions for approval; and recommend approval or denial of variances and appeals.
  • Evaluate existing sewage disposal and water treatment installations and facilities for regulatory compliance; evaluate need for expansion or replacement of treatment systems; evaluate well sites and well construction for code compliance and acceptance as domestic water supply; and test and assess public drinking water potability.
  • Conduct compliance inspections of public drinking water systems and evaluate laboratory testing data related to state and federal safe drinking water standards.
  • Evaluate solid waste handling and disposal facilities; review and recommend approval of or note exceptions to engineering reports regarding construction, operation, monitoring, and closure/post closure maintenance and use; and respond to complaints and inquiries from the public regarding solid waste handling and disposal.  
  • Participate in environmental review process of assigned projects; identify and evaluate concerns regarding discretionary entitlement applications; process environmental assessment questionnaires and environmental impact reports; provide information regarding public health and sanitation issues involved in projects to proponents, the public, and public hearing bodies.
  • Conduct site assessments as part of environmental review process; develop recommendations for approval or denial; make environmental health findings to County Planning Department and draft comments as opinion from Environmental Health Division; and represent the Division in public hearings as directed.
  • Inspect and evaluate facilities that handle hazardous materials and hazardous wastes; review hazardous materials business plans for regulatory compliance; inspect above ground containers and underground storage tanks; and approve plans for and monitor underground storage tank removal and installation.
  • Conduct investigations and assessments and respond to complaints involving issues of environmental health and sanitation; work with affected parties in resolution of problems and issues; prepare cases for referral to the District Attorney or conduct immediate enforcement actions; and coordinate with other County divisions and departments and other public agencies and jurisdictions to protect the public health.
  • Provide information to the public regarding more complex environmental health and sanitation issues and respond to questions and inquiries in the office, by telephone, in person at field sites, or through educational presentations; prepare staff and regulatory reports and correspondences; and establish and maintains appropriate and accurate files and records.
  • Provide collection and information services for household hazardous waste; respond to hazardous materials release/threatened release and provide technical assistance as part of an emergency response team; and respond to complaints or requests for service from public regarding hazardous materials/waste storage, use, or disposal in business, institutional, or private residential settings.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both an indoor office environment and in the field requiring travel to various locations throughout the County in a variety of outdoor weather conditions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training:
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in any of the biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, engineering, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

  • Possession of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California Department of Public Health.
  • May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Associate Registered Environmental Health Specialist

Experience: Two (2) years of responsible environmental health administration and enforcement experience performing duties similar to an Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in any of the biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, engineering, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

  • Possession of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California Department of Public Health.
  • Within six (6) months of assignment to hazardous materials enforcement, Certificate of Completion of Training of forty (40) Hour OSHA Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials Categorization, Advanced Class.
  • May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist 

Knowledge of:

  • Principles of environmental sanitation and the sanitation sciences.
  • Public health methods and procedures used in inspection and correction of unsanitary conditions and in prevention and control of diseases.
  • Sanitation provisions of the California Health and Safety Code.
  • Physical and biological sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, hydrology, and soils science.
  • Principles of higher mathematics, engineering, and hydraulics.
  • Principles and practices of scientific research and statistical methodology.
  • Computer software, including word processing, spreadsheet, data base, and various statistical analysis applications.
  • Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
  • Principles and practices of work safety.
  • English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Ability to:

  • Simultaneously conduct multiple inspections and investigations and accurately document findings and maintain appropriate records.
  • On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job. Intermittently observe, identify, and analyze public health and sanitation problems and develop solutions; analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; interpret, enforce, and explain statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures; and maintain awareness of safety at all times.
  • On a continuous basis, sit at desk or in vehicle for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, kneel, climb, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, twist, balance, crawl, feel, and reach while conducting field inspections and investigations, or making various tests; see to observe field conditions; differentiate colors on charts, maps, or identification shields, in soil or food, or as part of testing; hear to evaluate proper functioning of various kinds of equipment; use a telephone; write or use a keyboard to communicate; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; and lift moderate weight.
  • Compile, analyze, and evaluate technical information and prepare recommendations regarding further action.
  • Perform mathematical computations and statistical analysis.
  • Interpret plans, drawings, and specifications.
  • Use various test sampling, monitoring, measuring, and laboratory supplies and equipment and specialized protective gear as needed.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  • Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
  • Obtain information through interview and work firmly and courteously with the public.
  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
  • Work unusual and prolonged work schedules in the event of an environmental or public health emergency.
  • Use a computer, calculator, telephone, two-way radio, camera, facsimile machine, and photocopy machine.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Associate Registered Environmental Health Specialist

In addition to the qualifications for Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist:

Knowledge of:

  • California Penal Code as related to public nuisances.
  • Other pertinent statutes and regulations related to activities of the Environmental Health Division.
  • Investigative techniques and principles of evidence.
  • General concepts of civil and case law related to environmental health regulation.
  • Agencies and resources involved in the field of environmental health.
  • Operation, policies, and procedures of the Environmental Health Division.

Ability to:

  • Independently apply public health concepts to daily situations.
  • Independently assess degree of environmental health risk and take appropriate action.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:

  • All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit:

  • Professional

CLASS: 14519; EST: 9/2/1995; REV: 12/21/2021;
CLASS: 14520; EST: 9/2/1995; REV: 12/21/2021;