Position Information
Under general supervision, serves as a lead in a specific environmental program, independently performs and directs others in the full range of environmental duties; and performs related work as required.
This is an Open Competitive/Countywide Promotional recruitment being conducted to fill a current full-time vacancy in Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH). The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
For more information on this position, please see the Job Specification at https://www.washoecounty.gov/humanresources/Careers/jobspecs.php
About the Current Senior Environmental Health Specialist Position
The Environmental Health Division of Northern Nevada Public Health is comprised of multiple specialized areas which include Plan Review/Permitted Facilities/Vector Borne Disease, Food Protection, and Land Development/Waste Management. Note: the current vacancy is available in the LAND DEVELOPMENT/WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. For more information:
The Plan Review/Permitted Facilities/Vector Borne Disease Program
The Plans, Permitted Facilities, and Vector Programs are responsible for ensuring the development, construction, permitted facility operators, and vector control follow the local, state, and federal guidelines and requirements. Permitted Facilities completes inspections of permitted businesses and operations for compliance with regulations, and ensuring the public health and safety for the environment and persons in Washoe County. The program reviews future development and construction plans for projects within Washoe County, and the cities of Reno and Sparks, for compliance with local, state, and federal regulations for permitting and future operations. The Vector program conducts surveillance and treatment within Washoe County for mosquitoes of disease and provides education to the community.
Food Protection Program
The Food Safety program is responsible for safeguarding public health by ensuring that food establishments operate in compliance with local and federal standards. The program conducts comprehensive inspections of permanent food facilities, mobile food operations, temporary food vendors, and special events, as well as detailed plan reviews and construction inspections for new and remodeled establishments. Staff investigate consumer complaints and foodborne illness reports to identify potential hazards and implement corrective actions. In addition, the program reviews Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and operational plans for specialized processes and provides targeted outreach and education to promote industry compliance and support active managerial control within our food establishments.
Land Development/Waste Management Program (Current vacancy)
The Land Development/Waste Management program oversees several different areas. The program protects important groundwater resources through plan review and inspection of septic systems, wells, and underground storage tanks. It also acts as the Solid Waste Management Authority within Washoe County, overseeing all waste streams and haulers within Washoe County, through plan review, inspection, and complaint response. Finally, the program ensures that public water systems are meeting the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act through compliance inspections.
Ideal Candidate Information
The ideal candidate will have a background in environmental inspections, environmental hazards associated with permitted facilities, report writing, construction plan review, data entry, and strong written and communication skills. This position will be responsible for supervising staff, including trainees, coordinating training, managing timecards, leave requests, programmatic goals and staffing, conducting, writing and submitting evaluations, managing and monitoring staff workload, and participating and leading team meetings. Experience within the program that the current vacancy is in is desirable but not required.
Minimum Qualifications
Three years of full-time experience performing environmental health or enforcement functions in a health department or industry AND a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in core natural science credits such as biology, physics, physical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, geology, earth science, environmental science, environmental health, sanitary engineering, environmental engineering, or allied health sciences; OR equivalent combination of education and experience approved by the Nevada Board of Registered Environmental Health Specialists.
License or Certificate
- Eligibility to apply for Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) with the Nevada State Board of Environmental Health Specialist is required at the time of appointment.
- Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist with the Nevada State Board of Environmental Health Specialist (NRS 625A) must be obtained within 90 days of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification.
- Certification in the State of Nevada as a General Commercial Restricted Use Pesticide Applicator in the categories of Mosquito and Public Health may be required if assigned to the Vector Control Program.
- A valid driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment within this classification.
Conditions of Employment
The Washoe County Employees Association (WCEA) Non-Supervisory Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covers the Senior Environmental Health Specialist position.
Selected candidates are required to meet the Health District (NNPH) immunization requirements and complete 2 TB Skin Tests at time of appointment, or provide documentation of a prior QuantiFERON test done within the last 12 months.
The position may require seven (7) continuing education units specific to food safety per year and maintaining a certification as an FDA Food Standard.
The position may require the ability to obtain Certification in the State of Nevada as a General Commercial Restricted Use Pesticide Applicator in the categories of Mosquito and Public Health. Certification must be obtained if assigned to the Vector Program.
The position is considered “essential” during public health emergencies, natural disasters or during declared emergencies.
Background checks will be conducted on selected applicants through the State of Nevada and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Per the Washoe County Background and Reference Checks Policy, new and rehired employees are required to submit to a fingerprint based background investigation. Effective January 1, 2025, the $39.00 fee associated with this background investigation will be paid by the employee (if applicable) and deducted automatically from the first paycheck. Employment is contingent upon the results of the background check, although a record of conviction will not necessarily bar an applicant from employment.
Washoe County requires its employees to reside in the state of Nevada or neighboring California communities such as Truckee, South Lake Tahoe or Susanville as of their first day of work.
Washoe County hires all new employees at the minimum rate of the salary range and eligible employees may receive an annual merit increase of 5% until they reach the maximum salary for the classification. Upon promotion, current Washoe County employees are placed at the minimum rate of the salary range for the higher classification of the new position OR a promotional calculation, whichever is greater.
What Happens Next
1. After your application is screened, you will be notified via the email you provided whether you have met the minimum requirements for the position. Those applicants who do not meet the qualifications have one (1) business day to file an appeal and request a review of their qualifications.
2. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will receive an email invitation to take the Professional Level online exam administered remotely; notices will be delivered within 1 week from the closing of the recruitment.
This exam link will tentatively be delivered via email the week of December 15, 2025, and qualified candidates will have a time limit to complete the exam, within 4 calendar days. **You will be notified if you are eligible to transfer an exam score within 1 week following the closing date of the recruitment.
The exam will evaluate your expertise, knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Communication
- Analytical Ability
- Business Math
- Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills
Pursuant to the Washoe County Personnel Handbook, the Department of Human Resources does not administer an exam when there are less than 20 qualified candidates. Once the recruitment has closed, if there are less than 20 qualified candidates, the exam will be waived and all qualifying candidates will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department. If the exam is scheduled to move forward and less than 20 candidates take the exam as determined by the Department of Human Resources, the exam will be waived. Only those candidates who took the exam or have a transfer score will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department.
3. After the exam is completed, you will receive an additional email notifying you of the results. If you pass the examination, you will receive your score and rank. This rank will be used to determine which candidates will be interviewed by departments trying to fill a vacancy.
4. Hiring departments schedule interviews from a list of top scoring candidates. If your name is not sent to the hiring department, it will remain on the list for future opportunities as they become available.
5. Please be advised you can log in to your NeoGov account and select:
- “Applications” to view a list of the recruitments which you have applied for, your submitted application for each recruitment, a copy of the job listing, and your applicant history for each recruitment.
- “Inbox” to view the notices which have been sent to you for each recruitment
- “Account” to update your contact information. Please note to update your phone number on previously submitted applications you must contact careers@washoecounty.gov.
If you have any questions regarding the Online Application Process, you can find additional information at the following link: https://www.washoecounty.gov/humanresources/faq/online/index.php
Questions: Jessica Gutierrez
jgutierrez@washoecounty.gov
775-328-2096
Veteran Point
Eligible veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces shall receive one (1) bonus point upon passing Open Competitive examinations only. In order to be given a bonus point, applicants must attach proof of Honorable Discharge (DD-214 with Classification of Discharge) to the Online Application at time of submission.
Washoe County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce that creates a sense of belonging for all employees and citizens, thereby encouraging persons from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for employment.
Washoe County will recruit, hire, train and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion or belief, gender, marital status or domestic partnership, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information (GINA), veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association or union or any other protected class under applicable federal or state law.