County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to plan, organize and direct the activities of the Environmental, Health Department. The incumbent assists the Director, Environmental Health in the development and implementation of Department Policy. In addition to staff management duties and program accountability, the Chief position also provides consultation, acts as liaisons with other agencies, and may be required to be in possession of a REHS in representing the Department and acting as a Hearing Officer for administrative hearings. And to perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Chief, Environmental Health classification is located in the Hazardous Materials, Field Operations, and Vector Control Divisions of the Environmental Health Department. Chief, Environmental Health positions are directly responsible for all aspects of operation for their respective division. They are responsible for implementing all applicable Environmental Health Laws, Regulations and local ordinances that apply in the County of Alameda. The incumbents required to have expertise and formal training in the technical components of their assigned Division. Incumbents in these positions also assume full budgetary responsibilities for their respective Divisions. (For assignments in Field Operations the incumbent must be registered as a REHS.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Plans, organizes and directs the implementation of Environmental Health Programs and services
2. Administers the budget, determines and implements policy in the assigned Division and ensures that Division operating policy is consistent with Department policy.
3. Represents the department before civic and community groups; responds to inquiries from the media and the public when emergencies and other incidents requiring Department response occur.
4. Maintains liaison with federal, state and local offices; serves on committees with other County departments and agencies, commissions and other groups issues related to Environmental Health programs and/or services.
5. Supervises and evaluates program managers with technical and clerical staff reports; establishes performance standards that are consistent with the goals and objectives of the programs; leads by example; provides technical guidance and trains through mentorship, career-building, and the development of strong teams.
6. Reviews and evaluates technical reports; plans, directs and evaluates progress made on complex projects.
7. Acts as Department hearing officer for administrative enforcement actions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major level coursework in industrial hygiene, environmental health science or physical science, or related fields.

AND
Experience:

Either I

The equivalent of three years' full-time experience in the class of Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist or Supervising Environmental Health Specialist, Supervising Vector Control Officer or Vector Control Program Manager in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney's Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of five years of increasingly responsible full-time professional or technical experience in Environmental Programs, including at least three years of supervisory experience. (A post-graduate degree in an appropriate field may be substituted for the non-supervisory experience for one year of experience.)

AND
License:

A valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Certificates:

When assigned to the Field Operations, a valid California certificate of registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist is required.

When assigned to Hazardous Materials or Vector Control, a valid California certificate of registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist is preferred.

All candidates must provide their own vehicle and must be available for evenings and weekends as needed to respond to program related emergencies or weekend activities.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

Principles and state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to:

• Public health, occupational health, industrial hygiene.
• Food, milk and drinking water standards.
• Hazardous materials and hazardous waste management.
• Land-use including but not limited to septic systems and small water systems.
• Recreational sanitation.
• Environmental clean-up standards for remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater.
• Waste disposal - air, solid and liquid.
• Housing - building and plumbing codes.
• Vector control.
• Department of Corrections' standards.
• Department of corrections' standards.
• Contract development under county and state procedures.
• County government procedures such as budget amendments, staffing adjustments, Ordinance development.
• Succession planning and career development.
• Budgetary management.
• Personnel administration, management and supervision.
• Environmental health-related agencies.
• Basic database (such as Envision) use.
• Effective use of Microsoft-Office suite programs including PowerPoint, Excel, Word.

Ability to:

• Provide budget and fiscal analysis.
• Exercise interpersonal sensitivity.
• Use current standard office equipment, including but not limited to mobile phones, pagers, and computers with standard programs such as Outlook, Office Suite, database programs such as Envision or Access.


Core Competencies:

• Oral Communication - Includes person to person and presentations before large groups.
• Written Communication - Includes daily correspondence and larger reports/presentations.
• Decision-making - Includes making decisions that further the goals and needs of the County; includes using business acumen in making decisions that build a strong organization which delivers the highest level of service to diverse customers.
• Analytical and Problem Solving - Includes using vision, strategy, and innovation to deal with change.
• Planning and Organization - Includes using vision, strategy and innovation to maximize resources.
• Management Control / Supervision - Includes making excellent hiring choices, developing staff professionalism, growth and competency, and giving honest and fair evaluations.
• Leadership - Includes knowing when to lead and when to work effectively as part of a group; Includes imparting to staff a commitment to the County's mission, credo and goals; Includes modeling excellence.
• Interpersonal Sensitivity - Includes fair treatment of all persons in both oral and written communication.
• Flexibility - Includes working with change using vision, strategy and innovation.
• Resistance/Adaptation to Stress - Includes staying calm under difficult conditions.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

DW:Lm-h 3/85
LB:pb Revised/Retitled: 7/87
AM:pb Revised: 12/13/89
AM:lm-Revised/Retitled: 9/21/95
Old doc: 1022h
New doc: 5657
ys/6/01
CSC Date: 9/20/95
DRH:po Revised 3/30/07
CSC Date: 5/9/2007
DRH:po Admin. Change 7/16/2007
SG:po - Revised 7/29/09
CSC Date: 8/12/2009

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.