County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, performs high level work associated with a specialty program (e.g., compliance, plan review, consumer protection, mobile food vending, solid waste, medical waste, hazardous material, land use, recreation, vector control, and other related programs) and may have a solid waste generalized environmental health district; and to perform related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Senior Environmental Health Specialist typically has specialized program responsibility that may require certification training and/or experience over and above that expected of the entry-level class of Registered Environmental Health Specialist.

The position differs from the Supervising Environmental Health Specialist in that the Senior Environmental Health Specialist does not have supervisory responsibility over other Environmental Health Specialists. The Senior Environmental Health Specialist may function as a lead person in a technical area, providing training and guidance to Environmental Health Specialists or other environmental health classifications. In addition to the specialized program responsibility, the Senior Environmental Health Specialist may be assigned to a generalized environmental health program district (i.e., food, water, waste, housing, recreation, institutions, hazardous material, vector control).

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. Reviews and approves Departmental program records and daily reports, and compiles data to develop program specific reports.

2. Reviews correspondence for accuracy, completeness and conformity to departmental policy.

3. Develops familiarity with Departmental issues related to his/her specialty on a regional or County-wide basis.

4. Maintains uniformity in the application of both state and local statutes/regulations and Departmental policy throughout the assigned program areas.

5. Confers routinely with the Supervising Environmental Health Specialist and/or designee in order to evaluate district and community-wide Environmental Health policies, issues and programs.

6. Handles difficult problems, disease investigations, and conducts risk assessments within the assigned program. Works directly with industry, attorneys, engineers, architects, and other Local, County and State agencies by providing technical program information and interpreting program policy.

7. Plans, organizes and carries out research analysis and evaluates data and propose recommendations based on findings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in Environmental Health Sciences or a related field,

And

Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience performing a full range of environmental health activities.

Certificate:

Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California State Department of Public Health.

Additional certification for specific program responsibility may also be required.

License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

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:

• Basic principles of physical, biological and social science applied in environmental control.
• Functions and operations of related agencies and County organizations.
• State and local regulations governing environmental health.
• Standardized methods and techniques of investigation, inspection, and resolution of unsanitary conditions.
• Research and statistical methods.
• Computer software applications.

Ability to:

• Provide guidance and instruction regarding environmental health matters to other environmental health personnel, State and local agencies and the general public.
• Interpret State and local rules, regulations and laws, consistent with departmental policy within assigned program areas.
• Establish effective working relationships with others.
• Write factual, concise technical reports.
• Read and interpret construction plans and blueprints.
• Write and communicate effectively.
• Operate a personal computer.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

nw Revised: 8/75
LB:pb Revised: 5/29/86
LB:pb Retitled: 12/7/88
Old document: 0506h
New document: 5667.doc
ys/7/01
CSC Date: 1/4/89
RE:sw Revised 7/18/01
CSC Date: 11/14/01

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) 
• 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
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• 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.