Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Assistant

The Department of Health and Human Services – Environmental Health Division is currently seeking candidates for the Consumer Protection, hazardous materials or solid waste programs. Under supervision, the Registered Environmental Specialist Assistant performs scientific and professional level office and field work to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations. The primary responsibility of staff assigned to the Consumer Protection programs are to ensure compliance with regulated food facilities, body art facilities, swimming pools, public drinking water systems and camp grounds. The primary responsibility of staff assigned to the Hazardous Materials program is to  ensure compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to business facilities that handle hazardous material or hazardous waste, operate underground storage tanks and above ground storage tanks that store hazardous materials or waste, emergency response to incidents involving hazardous chemical releases, planning and site mitigation. Staff assigned to the Solid Waste program conduct compliance inspections and support solid waste disposal facilities and resource recovery and recycling programs, waste tire management, medical waste management and nonhazardous waste recycling and management programs.

The position may be required to be on a Stand-By-Rotation for emergency response.

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.

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 Health Services. 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 judgement on matters allocated to the Associate level.

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.

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 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.
• 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; 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 to 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.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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.

• Note: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California Department of Health Services.
• 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 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 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, typewriter, 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.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and those in management and confidential groups, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for Professional bargaining unit

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

• Week of May 28th - Minimum Qualifications Screening
• Week of June 4th - Training and Experience Rating
• Week of June 11th - Eligible List Established