Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Supervising

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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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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 Heath & Human Services Program Manager and/or higher-level management staff.

Receives general direction from the Heath & Human Services Program Manager and/or higher-level management staff.

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

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; 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, the public, and public and private agencies.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible registered environmental health administration and enforcement, with at least one (1) year of lead experience comparable to an Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Senior with Placer County is required.

OR

Four (4) 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.

Required License or Certificate:

• 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.
• Possession of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California Department of Public Health.
• Within twelve (12) months of assignment to hazardous materials enforcement, the following courses must be completed:
  • 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response;
  • International Code Council - Underground Storage Tank Inspector; and
  • Office of the State Fire Marshal Aboveground Storage Tanks Inspector.

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 the prevention and control of diseases.
• 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.
• 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 relate activities.
• 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:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; 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; understand, recall, interpret, enforce, and explain statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures; analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine proper course of action; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; focus on a single task for long periods of time; 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, stoop, squat, crouch, twist, balance, crawl, feel and reach while conducting field inspections, investigations, or various tests; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to observe field conditions, differentiate colors on charts, maps, or identification shields, in soil or food, or as part of testing; evaluate proper functioning of various kinds of equipment; speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation;  lift moderate 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.

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.