Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Supervising

This is a promotional recruitment - only current, permanent County employees are eligible to apply.

This position uses regulatory and educational tools to prevent disease and injury, eliminate or minimize environmental health hazards, and provide quality services. 

This position requires possession of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California State Department of Health Services.  You will be required to provide proof of registration through the application process. When completing the online application for this recruitment there will be options and instructions given on how to submit your certificate (located on the "Other" tab within application).

To plan, organize, direct and supervise assigned section or program operations, or to assist the Director in a staff capacity with a variety of special projects and complex administrative and field services within the Environmental Health Division of the Department of Health and Human Services; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

The Supervisor level recognizes positions that perform full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning and evaluating the work of subordinates and is responsible for a program area within a work unit or department.  This position may also act in a higher level staff capacity to the Client Services Program Manager and/or higher level management staff.

Receives general direction from the Client Services Program Manager and/or higher level management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned professional, clerical and technical personnel.

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

• Mediate disputes among various affected parties, including staff, developers, consultants, complainants, business owners, home owners and others; administer contracts for services used within section/program area; review appeal cases; and perform highly sensitive and complex staff work as needed.
• Recommend and assist in the development and implementation of unit goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for assigned section or program area; implement policies and procedures.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise and review the work of staff involved in the administration of environmental health programs and enforcement.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Assist in the preparation and oversee various contracts for service; prepare and monitor grant applications on behalf of the Division.
• Conduct complex research to implement environmental health compliance programs.
• Prepare innovative plans to resolve community environmental health issues and participate in implementation; research and prepare public information publications; create new mechanisms to further enhance the Division's ties to the business and residential community.
• Represent the Division by serving on broad-based County and Community committees related to Environmental Health. 
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staff, supplies, materials and equipment; monitor and control expenditures.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related field work and other duties as assigned, such as meeting with the public in sensitive enforcement matters or providing outreach and education to the community, general public, as well as public and private agencies.

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

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:

Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible registered environmental health administration and enforcement, with at least one year of lead experience comparable to an Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Senior is required.

OR

Four years of experience performing duties similar to an Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Associate.

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, chemistry, engineering or a related field. A Master's degree in any of the above subject areas is highly desirable.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California Department of Health Services.
• Within six months of appointment, Certificates of Completion of Training for the following courses are required:
  • 40 hour OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and First Responder Operations;
  • Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response Awareness; and
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency – Incident Command System 100, 200, and 700.

In addition, when assigned to the hazardous materials program, the following courses must be completed by the completion of the probationary period:

• OSHA HazMat First Responder Operations;
• International Code Council – Underground Storage Tank Inspector; and
• State Fire Marshall’s Office for Aboveground Storage Tanks. 

• 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 and practices of environmental health, sanitation and public health administration and enforcement.
• Equipment, tools and materials used in taking samples, conducting tests, and monitoring and measuring activities involved in environmental health administration and enforcement.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluations.
• Principles of budget monitoring.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.

Ability to:

• Organize, implement and direct assigned section and program operations/activities.
• 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 a desk or in vehicle for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, kneel, climb, bend and reach while conducting field inspections and investigations, or conducting various tests; see and observe field conditions; differentiate colors on charts, maps, or identification placards, observe soil characteristics or food quality; 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 heavy weight.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Interpret and explain pertinent County and Department policies and procedures.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Work unusual and prolonged work schedules in the event of an environmental or public health emergency.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Perform and/or oversee field inspections.
• Respond to emergencies that may include the release of HazMat or food borne illness outbreak.

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.

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.

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

• 10/23/19 - Minimum Qualifications Screening
• 10/24/19 - Training and Experience Rating
• 10/25/19 - Establish Eligible List