Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Senior

The Department of Health and Human Services – Environmental Health Division is comprised of separate units providing specialized services to residents of Placer County, which include land development, consumer protection/food safety, and hazmat/solid waste. The division is currently accepting applications for the classification of Senior Registered Environmental Specialist for the Land Development team. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Reviewing and approving plans for construction, destruction, or modification of domestic, irrigation and geothermal heat exchange wells by conducting field inspections and reviewing proposed well construction details and historical records
• Performing field inspections to assess parcel and tract maps and the feasibility of new land use proposals, conditional use permits, zone changes, etc.
• Conducting field inspections and record searches to prove assessments of existing wastewater treatment systems
• Inspecting sewage cleaning vehicles, chemical toilet pumping vehicles and toilet rental agencies

The current vacancy is a permanent position located in Auburn, CA. The position may need to travel to the Tahoe-Truckee area on occasion to support the division’s satellite office. The position may also be required to be on a Stand-By-Rotation for emergency response.

This recruitment may also be used to fill future permanent and/or *extra-help vacancies as they arise, subject to specific position requirements.

*Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to working 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Professional benefits

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To perform the more difficult and complex professional environmental health duties; to administer and enforce Federal, State and local statutes, ordinances and regulations related to environmental health and sanitation; to function in a lead capacity in promoting sound sanitary and environmental health practices; to plan and implement new or specialized programs; and to protect the environment and the public.

This is the advanced journey level in the Registered Environmental Health Specialist series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, by the amount of time spent performing the most complex duties and by the nature of the public contact made. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including providing technical and functional supervision over assigned clerical, technical, and professional staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned areas of responsibility.

Receives direction from the Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Supervising and may exercise technical and functional supervision over assigned clerical, technical, and professional staff.

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

• Perform the most complex and specialized work in the regulation and enforcement of environmental health safety laws, rules and regulations; interpret the more complex and specialized environmental health regulations, rules and policies.
• Lead and train subordinate staff in various aspects of environmental health programs; conduct trainings and develop training and guidance materials; assist staff in the interpretation of complex regulatory requirements.
• May coordinate and standardize program activities; assist in program planning and monitoring, including appraising the effectiveness of departmental programs; making recommendations on policies, procedures and regulations related to specific programs, then implement as directed.
• Draft proposed regulations or procedures related to the program areas assigned.
• 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 more complex 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 that are of a complex nature; 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.
• May conduct plan checks of a higher level of complexity.
• Participate in environmental review process of assigned projects of a higher degree of difficulty; identify and evaluate concerns regarding discretionary entitlement applications of a complex nature; 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 of a higher level of complexity and respond to complaints involving issues of environmental health and sanitation; work with affected parties in resolution of problems and issues; prepare cases of a more complex nature 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 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 correspondence; and establish and maintain appropriate and accurate files and records.
• Coordinate activities with other agencies and groups; inform interested parties of recent developments in the program areas assigned.
• Provide information regarding household hazardous waste; respond to hazardous materials release/threatened release and provide technical assistance to emergency response team; and respond to complaints 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.

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: Two years of responsible registered environmental health administration and enforcement experience performing duties similar to an Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Associate 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.

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 assignment to hazardous materials enforcement, Certificate of Completion of Training of 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 of:

• Advanced principles and practices of environmental health, sanitation and public health administration and enforcement.
• Multi-jurisdictional application of environmental health regulations and federal, state, and regional enforcement practices.
• Public health methods and procedures used in inspection and correction of unsanitary conditions and in prevention and control of diseases.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.
• Investigative techniques and principles of evidence.
• Civil and case law related to environmental health regulations.
• 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.
• Equipment, tools and materials used in taking samples, conducting tests, and monitoring and measuring activities involved in environmental health administration and enforcement.
• Advanced principles and practices of customer service and public contact.
• Clear, effective and correct use of oral and written English including spelling, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and letter composition.
• Technical resource materials and information sources applicable to environmental health related activities.
• Basic principles and practices of supervision and training of others.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

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 evaluation technical information quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• Independently assess degree of environmental health risk and take appropriate action.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Provide technical and functional supervision to staff; assume lead role with less experienced staff.
• Develop and present training materials.
• Plan, organize and carry out research, analyze and evaluate data, prepare comprehensive reports, and make recommendations on findings.   
• Interpret and implement complex regulatory requirements.
• 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.
• Obtain information through interview and work firmly and courteously with the public.
• Work unusual and prolonged work schedules in the event of an environmental or public health emergency.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Perform mathematical computations and statistical analysis.

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 (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list 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 level) 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.