Environmental Health Technical Specialist

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.

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

Receives direction from higher level management or supervisory staff.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over assigned technical, clerical, and less experienced professional staff.

• Assess subdivision development proposals to determine the feasibility of on-site sewage disposal, availability of ground water resources, and potential impacts to ground water quality.
• Train and lead subordinate staff in plan review and enforcement activities.
• Perform review of geotechnical and hydraulic conditions effecting on-site water disposal system design; review reports and provide guidance regarding on-site soil and groundwater contamination and potential public health concerns for proposed land use changes; provide regulatory oversight of investigations and remediation activities for impacted sites.
• Evaluate design of wastewater disposal systems and inspect wastewater disposal installations in complex cases.
• Evaluate and approve drinking water well sites and inspect drinking water well installations in complex cases.
• Instruct public to take necessary corrective actions to correct deficiencies and violations.
• Provide environmental health review in land use planning activities such as general plan amendments, variances, rezoning, conditional use permits, and environmental impact reports.
• Perform or review specialized geologic/engineering work on selected projects as needed.
• Provide technical expertise and coordinate with others within the Environmental Health Division, other County departments and divisions, and other public agencies as necessary.
• Prepare reports and make presentations at public meetings, including appeal hearings; prepare and maintain accurate records and files.
• Process building permits for septic system installations, septic system repairs, swimming pools, public and private ground water wells, and monitoring wells; review technical reports regarding geologic/engineering aspects of solid waste facilities and contaminated soil and ground water sites.
• Respond to inquiries and complaints from the public including at the public counter, by telephone, or in person at field sites.
• 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.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban, regional, or environmental planning; civil engineering, environmental health science, geology, hydrology, or a related field.

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

Knowledge of:

• Principles of environmental planning and administration of environmental policies; land use planning and development; geology; hydrology; and/or soils science relative to sewage disposal, well construction, contaminated soil, and groundwater investigation and remediation.
• General principles of engineering, chemistry, biology, and bacteriology.
• Principles and practices for the proper disposal of wastewater on-site.
• Hardrock water well drilling practices and procedures.
• Provisions of the Subdivision Map Act.
• Provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act.
• Health and Safety Code of the State of California with reference to sewage disposal, drinking water standards, and local land development ordinances.
• Applicable regulations and standards issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the State Water Resources Control Board.
• Basic principles of environmental health and the potential impacts to public health. 
• Modern office procedures methods and computer equipment.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Statistics and statistical analysis and advanced mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• Identify existing or potential environmental health problems and recommend appropriate action.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; stand at counter to answer questions of the public; walk, stand, kneel, climb, bend, and reach while driving to/from field sites, inspecting sites, and conducting various tests; see and hear with sufficient acuity to observe field conditions; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; intermittently write or use a keyboard to communicate; differentiate between colors used on charts and maps; and occasionally lift moderate weight
• Train, assign, review, and assist in the evaluation of the work of subordinate staff.
• Research and interpret relevant codes, regulations, and the application of County policies and procedures. 
• Plan and conduct multiple inspections; read and review blue-print and plans; and maintain accurate records.
• Obtain information through interviews; work fairly and courteously with the public; and work effectively with interruptions.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Work unusual and prolonged work schedules in the event of an environmental or public health emergency.
• Use general office equipment and technology efficiently.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• 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 (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 (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), political orientation, 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.