ABOUT THE POSITION
A list of eligible candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies throughout Riverside County. The recruitment will remain open until filled.
The County of Riverside Environmental Health Department is currently recruiting for multiple Environmental Health Specialist I/II/III- Desert for multiple divisions in Palm Springs and Indio. The candidates selected will conduct specialized studies, inspections, and investigations involved with the planning and enforcement of complex environmental health laws and regulations. Candidates selected can also expect to provide electronic reports on inspections. Divisions may include District Environmental Services, Hazardous Materials, Land Use/Water Resources, and Local Enforcement Agency.
To qualify for the Environmental Health Specialist role candidates are required to possesses the following (further details are listed under the minimum qualifications below).
- Valid California Driver's License
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- A valid Letter of Eligibility issued by the California Department of Public Health certifying qualification as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee OR a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California Department of Public Health (please attach to your application).
The Environmental Health Department has two Environment Health Specialist recruitments.
Work Schedule-9/80 or 4/10: Position will require office or field work with either a 9/80 or 4/10 schedule. In a 9/80, you'll work nine-hour days for nine days over two weeks, with one day off every other week. In a 4/10, it's ten-hour days for four days with three days off every week.
The Environmental Health Specialist I-Desert is a natural progression to Environmental Health Specialist II-Desert, which in turn leads to Environmental Health Specialist III-Desert. To advance, employees need a satisfactory performance evaluation, meet experience and educational requirements, and pass the state-administered Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) exam. If these criteria aren't met within 36 months, employees may return to their previous County position or be released before the end of their probationary period.
Meet the Team:
The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health is a multifaceted department dedicated to protecting the health of people and the environment in Riverside County. Their mission, "to enhance the quality of life in Riverside County," is accomplished through a dedicated staff of professionals including licensed and/or certified inspectors overseeing and enforcing numerous programs, from food facility inspections to hazardous waste designed to protect both the public and the environment.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Conduct specialized, technical field inspections and investigations to determine compliance with relevant environmental health laws and regulations.
• Gather or lead in the gathering of evidence of violations and non-compliance with environmental health laws and regulations.
• Prepare inspection reports, legal notices, citations, notices of violations, and other investigative reports for the enforcement of environmental health laws and regulations.
• Issue official notices of corrective action and abatement; make follow-up investigations to ensure compliance.
• Act as a department liaison with various state, federal, and local agencies and partners.
• May serve in a lead capacity and provide assistance and technical guidance to entry or intermediate Environmental Health Specialists.
• Attend training sessions and participate in the development and implementation of staff training programs.
• Prepare reports and evidence for presentation at Administrative Hearings and to present cases to the court on behalf of the County.
DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
In addition to the general essential duties listed above:
• Conduct regulatory inspections and investigations of retail food facilities, public pools and spas, mobile home parks, organized camps, tobacco retailers, and related facilities as required.
• Review and investigate public complaints of foodborne illness, recreational water illness, unpermitted food sales, drownings, mobile home parks, tobacco, and household trash and sewage issues.
• Collect food, water and/or sewage, and related samples for laboratory analysis.
• Instruct facility operators on health and safety methods and principles. Apply enforcement techniques as needed to gain compliance.
• Coordinate with other agencies to facilitate compliance on investigations as listed above.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
In addition to the general essential duties listed above:
• Conduct moderate to complex inspections and investigations of all types of hazardous waste and hazardous materials facilities including underground storage tank systems to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to waste storage, treatment, handling, transportation, disposal, and record-keeping.
• Perform hazardous materials mitigation or categorization evaluations in the field.
• Oversee the mitigation of hazardous substance releases during emergency or disaster situations under the authority of the Public Health Officer; assist in field supervision of hazardous waste clean-up operations.
• Handle detection and safety equipment and ensure that sufficient inventories of up-to-date equipment are available for use/deployment on a regular basis, and in the event of emergency responses.
• Prepare and maintain records of inspections and investigations.
• Make joint inspections with federal, state, and local agencies as required.
• May participate as part of the County Hazardous Materials 24-hour Emergency Response Team.
LAND USE/WATER RESOURCES In addition to the general essential duties listed above:
• Conduct moderate to complex compliance inspections and investigations of private drinking water wells and small water systems.
• Review plans submitted for the construction of on-site sewage disposal systems, water wells and small water systems.
• Assess the quality of drinking water in designated regions.
LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY In addition to the general essential duties listed above:
• Conduct routine compliance inspections and investigations of facilities and individuals performing tattooing, body piercing, and permanent make-up.
• Conduct routine investigations of complaints concerning improper disposal of garbage, rubbish, sewage, and other unsanitary conditions on private and public property.
• Conduct periodic inspections and complaint investigations of solid waste, liquid waste, and medical waste handling facilities and businesses.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I -DESERT
To learn more about each Environmental Health Specialist I-Desert classification - click here. Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, which included coursework that enables the applicant to meet the Registered Environmental Health Specialist minimum educational standards prescribed by the California Department of Public Health.
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid Letter of Eligibility issued by the California Department of Public Health certifying qualification as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee. The letter must be issued within the last 30 months to be considered valid.
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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II-DESERT
To learn more about each Environmental Health Specialist II- Desert classification - click here.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, which included coursework that enables the applicant to meet the Registered Environmental Health Specialist minimum educational standards prescribed by the California Department of Public Health.
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California Department of Public Health.
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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST III-DESERT
To learn more about each Environmental Health Specialist III-Desert classification - click here.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in courses that enables the applicant to meet the minimum educational standards prescribed by the California Department of Public Health.
Experience: One year of experience equivalent to an Environmental Health Specialist II with the County of Riverside.
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California Department of Public Health.
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ALL LEVELS:
License/Certificate:Possession of a valid California Driver's License
Physical Requirements: Independent body mobility to stand, climb stairs and ladders, walk on uneven ground or wet, slippery floors at construction sites, retail food, public pools, mobile home parks, composting facilities, landfills and large excavated areas, manufacturing plants, and hazardous materials handling/storing facilities; upper body strength to reach and move items from high shelves; manual dexterity to hand-write and use personal computers; corrected vision to read standard text, labels, color change indication test papers, monitoring equipment display screens, and computer screens.
Additional Physical Requirements for incumbents assigned to the Hazardous Materials Program: Strength to move 55-gallon drums of materials (with drum dolly); strength to lift and carry tools or personal protection and test equipment up to 25 pounds in weight; physical capability to wear personal protective equipment including Level A, B, C and D suits and cartridge respirator; ability to lift materials weighing up to 70 pounds.
Environmental Requirements: Will be required to work in an office and all types of field environments, be exposed to inclement weather conditions, and enter and perform work in establishments which may have nudity, sexually explicit pictures and literature; come in contact with materials/wastes including odors and fumes from various industrial processes, cleaning solvents, chlorine, and insecticides; ability to tolerate very hot and cold temperatures, walk or stand for extended periods of time with no rest, walk over rough terrain, work at heights higher than 10 feet, and bend or stoop repeatedly or continually over time; ability to use stomach and lower back to support the body when lifting.
Knowledge of: The principles of physical, biological, chemical, and social sciences used in environmental health and safety; functions and operations of related governmental agencies and community organizations; state and local laws and regulations governing environmental health and public health; penal code provisions relating to public health nuisances; methods and techniques of investigating, inspecting, and obtaining compliance where corrections are necessary; environmental research and statistical methods; principles and practices of environmental health and safety; principles of environmental planning and management.
Ability to: Analyze situations accurately and take effective action; establish and maintain cooperative relationships; communicate clearly both orally and in writing; prepare clear and concise reports; plan, organize and carry out research, analyze and evaluate data, and make recommendations based on findings; detect public health hazards and conditions which violate public health and safety laws, ordinances and regulations and secure their correction through education, voluntary compliance or legal enforcement; instruct in the methods and procedures of environmental health and safety inspections and correction of violative conditions; interpret public health needs and goals to others; use a personal computer and software programs.
Incumbents assigned to the Hazardous Materials Program will be required to obtain the following certifications:
Within 180 days:
- State required International Code Council (ICC) California Underground Storage Tank Certification
Within 12 months:
- 40 hours of Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) courses
- Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) Certification
- First Aid Training (including CPR)
- PC 832 Arrest, Search, and Seizure Certification
Within 36 months:
- 160-hour Hazardous Materials Technician Certification
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
For specific questions regarding this position, contact Richard Griego at
rgriego@rivco.org
This recruitment is open to all.
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APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com.
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