Title: Environmental Health Specialist
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $43,000 - $48,000
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: PENINSULA HQ
Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/hampton-peninsula/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 35 local health districts. These entities work together to promote healthy lifestyle choices that can combat chronic disease, educate the public about emergency preparedness and threats to their health, and track disease outbreaks in Virginia.
As part of the Virginia Department of Health, the Hampton, and Peninsula Health Districts (HPHD) are two health districts serving the residents of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and the Counties of James City, and York.
The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts are focused on four key pillars to create a sustainable and engaged workforce:
1. Workforce Development and Training
2. Culture and Climate
3. Community Engagement and Partnerships
4. Communication and Openness
Through these pillars, we aim to achieve our mission of becoming the healthiest districts in the state and better serve our communities. Apply and join the Virginia Department of Health's efforts to become the healthiest state in the nation.
Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts are seeking environmental health specialists to perform environmental health duties at the entry level as a trainee. Employees are typically new hires with formal and on-the-job training in one or more areas such as food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, and migrant labor camp inspection, areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees receive close supervision and guidance. Must be able to complete the applicable training in the VDH Food program and be able to obtain credentials within 18 months. Employees are moved to the Environmental Health Specialist Senior position upon successful completion.
Receives primary guidance from EH Supervisor. In consultation with EH Supervisor and EHS Sr., schedules and conducts routine evaluations of foodservice establishments, provides necessary documentation, investigates complaints, determines deficiencies and recommends corrective actions.
Duties include:
• In consultation with EH Supervisor/EHS Sr. assures that all elements of program are conducted according to VDH regulations, state and local policies
• Implements/promotes quality assurance plans by complying with all applicable agency standards established by regulation and policy
• In consultation with EHS Sr. and EH Supervisor, responds to reports using epidemiological research (interviews, case histories, sample collection), on-site evaluation, field testing, interpretation of laboratory results
• In consultation with EHS Sr. may perform the following EH duties:
- Food related field duties, as required, to ensure state and local mandates are met; records, submits and updates establishment profile and risk data; issues permits and monitors permit status; conducts plan reviews for new and existing facilities
- Prevents human illness and disease transmission from rabies understands the virus; comprehends and implements the Virginia
- Guidelines for Rabies Prevention and Control and all other applicable laws, regulations and policies
- Monitors swimming pools, child and adult care facilities, hotels and motels and migrant labor camps
• Documents observations and corrective actions on the appropriate inspection report
• Conducts EH sanitary inspections upon request
• Conducts general environmental complaint investigations for assigned program area(s) with follow-up enforcement action taken when necessary
• Responds to environmental complaints to include but not limited to rodents, insects and general environmental concerns
• Achieves resolution of complaints within a reasonable timeframe
• May be required to perform other duties; may include functions in support of an emergency declaration
Multiple positions available.
The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401(a) Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.
The successful candidate may receive a one-time lump sum of annual leave.
The VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year’s seasonal influenza vaccination.
Minimum Qualifications
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs
• Time management skills necessary in order to meet workload demands
• Knowledge and/or experience in assigned program area
• Ability to influence behavior of foodservice employees/management, provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member
• Must be able to complete training in the VDH Food program within 18 months
• A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency
Additional Considerations
•Experience in environmental health, such as experience gained as an Environmental Health Associate
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year’s seasonal influenza vaccination.
A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.
Contact Information
Name: Peninsula Health District
Phone: 757-594-7300
Email: hphd.hr@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
