DEFINITION
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST - PUBLIC HEALTH
Department of Health & Human Services
Are you interested in making a difference? If so, please consider joining our dedicated team at the Department of Health & Human Services! An opening exists in our solid waste program, which implements solid waste management oversight for CalRecycle in Humboldt County. Opportunities are available for cross-training in other Environmental Health programs, such as retail food safety, drinking water, recreational health, onsite wastewater treatment, and hazardous materials management.
What You'll Do: This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including;
- Solid waste facility compliance inspections
- Complaint investigations
- Report writing
- Data entry
- Public outreach and education.
Where You'll Do It: This position is located at 100 H St., Eureka, CA 95501
A typical schedule for this position is M-F; 8-5 with a 1 hour lunch
Please note: This is a continuous recruitment and Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.
DEFINITIONUnder general supervision, may assign, direct and review the work of a small staff of Environmental Health Specialists involved in the investigation and enforcement of public health and environmental health laws; performs professional inspection and enforcement work in a complex environmental health program; performs related work as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is either the working lead level in the Environmental Health Specialist series, with responsibility for providing direction to a group of Environmental Health Specialists performing public and environmental health inspection and enforcement duties, or the specialist level which performs difficult, technical, complex and specialized health enforcement duties, but does not have ongoing lead responsibilities.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Provides lead direction, training and work review to a small staff; organizes and assigns work, sets priorities and follows up to ensure coordination and completion of assigned work.
- Provides input into selection decisions, performance evaluations and disciplinary matters.
- Acts as a specialist in difficult or highly technical areas of environmental or public health work requiring specialized training or experience such as solid waste inspection, food inspection, land use inspection and dairy inspections.
- Performs administrative work involved in handling an inspection and enforcement program; reviews and issues permits; interprets state laws and regulations; establishes budget and allocates funds; sets program parameters and recommends staff and budget. May staff the environmental health office for Del Norte County and perform the full range of inspection and enforcement activities with only remote supervision.
- Conducts inspections and investigations and prepares written and oral reports related to public health communicable diseases investigations.
- Makes recommendations on sewage disposal and water availability requirements as related to land division projects in the County.
- Conducts and interprets the results of soil, water quality and water quantity tests.
- Conducts investigations of proposed and current sewage treatment and waste disposal sites; issues permits for individual surveys and waste disposal systems; performs site checks and final inspections of such systems.
- Inspects restaurants, food stores, food manufacturing and storage facilities, food crops and food vending machines for compliance to applicable health codes; instructs food serving workers in the proper handling of food; investigates reported cases of food-related illness.
- Responds to non-agricultural hazardous material spills to assume proper handling, clean-up and disposal of material; inspects hospitals and medical facilities to assure proper disposal of infectious waste.
- Inspects residential dwellings, hotels, motels, mobile home parks, schools, organized camps and family care homes for compliance with public health laws; issues citations for violations of public health and environmental laws and regulations.
- Investigates animal bite cases and advises medical follow-up when needed; participates in rabies and other clinics to educate the public on protection from diseases transmitted by animals.
- Issues permits for the installation, modification or closure of Underground Storage Tanks; ensures that state guidelines are followed; identifies areas where unauthorized releases have occurred, documents condition of site.
- Administers the Market Milk Inspection program; inspects cow herds and commercial dairy sites for conformance to regulations and for proper sanitation; directs the laboratory testing of raw and processed milk; inspects processing plants and retail outlets for proper processing, sanitation and storage practices.
- Prepares comprehensive reports related to inspections, investigations and studies completed in the public health areas.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- Basic supervisory principles and practices.
- Principles and practices of environmental sanitation, including water supply, sewage and refuse disposal, housing, recreational and industrial sanitation and vector control.
- Principles and practices of sanitary food production, processing and handling.
- Principles and techniques of sampling and analysis of varied specimens.
- Local, state and federal environmental health and safety regulations and requirements.
- Office administrative practices and procedures.
- Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals, often in difficult situations.
Skill in:- Planning, assigning, directing and reviewing the work of others.
- Training others in work procedures.
- Analyzing and solving varied complex environmental health problems.
- Making thorough inspections and investigations.
- Analyzing and evaluating the results of sampling studies.
- Exercising sound, independent judgment within established guidelines.
- Educating the public in matters of effective sanitary measures.
- Interpreting and enforcing sanitation regulations and guidelines.
- Representing the County as an expert witness in court cases involving sanitation violations.
- Reviewing construction blueprints to ensure health and safety compliance.
- Maintaining accurate records and files.
- Preparing clear, concise and accurate reports, correspondence and other written materials.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
Other Requirements:- Must possess a valid California driver's license.
- Must possess registration by the State of California as an Environmental Health Specialist.
Desirable Education and Experience - A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is: Two years of experience in the investigation and enforcement of public health and environmental laws at a level equivalent to the County class of Environmental Health Specialist II.
WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMPLOYEE PERKS
CalPERS health insurance program, providing several options to employees; the County pays most of the employee premium and a portion of dependent coverage.
Dental and vision plan with premiums for the employee and dependents paid by the County.
At hire, earn 12 vacation days per year. Upon 3 years of service, increases to 15 days per year. Upon 10 years of service, increases to 20 days per year. Upon 15 years of service, increases to 25 days per year. Upon 20 years of services, increases to 30 days per year.
15 paid holidays per year, including 2 personal holidays.
12 sick days per year with an unlimited cap on sick day accumulation.
The County participates in the CalPERS retirement system, with both the County and the employee making contributions toward the employee’s retirement.
A Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer.
Other benefits like life insurance, longevity pay, educational reimbursement, deferred compensation, and an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary benefits may also be purchased, including supplemental life insurance, pet insurance, and flexible spending accounts.
Please Note: Extra Help positions are non-benefitted but may be eligible to purchase health insurance upon meeting the hours worked requirement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
For more information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage: https://humboldtgov.org/2492/Employee-Benefits.
For more details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer: https://humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/115226/Employee-Perks-Flyer-.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to fill out the application?
- You should allow 30 – 45 minutes to fill out your application.
Can I change my application after submitting it?
- You may only submit one application per day.
- You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.
- Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will be archived.
How long until I hear back from you?
- You can expect to hear back from Human Resources about 3 – 4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.
How can I check for updates on my application?
- You can log into your Government Jobs account and review current information regarding any application you have submitted.
Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview?
- Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.
The County of Humboldt’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and InclusionResearch indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways – oftentimes, outside of formal institutions – and strives to take a holistic approach to in assessing an applicant’s qualifications for a position.
If you’re excited about this role but your past work experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.
HOW TO APPLYA complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applications must be submitted online through the County’s automated application system at
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/humboldtcountyca no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by both Human Resources staff and may be screened by additional subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.
It is important that your application shows all the relevant experience and education you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments.
Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.
CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAMEmployees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the County or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.
- Tier I - Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55
- Tier II - Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55
- Tier III - Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62
If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you’d be in Tier III.
- 2.0 means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that’s called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
- If you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.
SELECTION PROCEDUREThe County runs its hiring on a set of rules to ensure that it is fair. Hiring and promotion are based on performance and having the best qualifications for the job. “Examination” doesn’t always mean taking a test, sometimes it just means how we compare your application to others who have applied, and an “oral examination” means a scored and structured interview.
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATIONThe County of Humboldt does not discriminate based on mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination to request an accommodation.
The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONA pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.
OTHER EXAMINATIONSSome positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.
LICENSESSome classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.
PROBATIONARY PERIODPersons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITYIt is the County’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERSAll County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.
