Summary
Two (2) positions available.
Become a part of our Climate & Health Equity Initiative as we work to uplift community's disproportionality impacted by environmental inequities.
The Health and Environmental Investigator I/ii will be responsible for conducting in-person air quality assessments at various locations, primarily residential homes, adult family homes, childcare centers, and other community facilities across South King County. The successful candidate will have a passion for improving public health through environmental justice, with a focus on creating healthier lives for all people in King County, especially individuals at high risk due to respiratory illnesses. This role involves visiting sites to assess ventilation and filtration needs, providing technical guidance on how to enhance indoor air quality based on the specific conditions of each location. In addition to assessments, the investigator will make referrals for additional services or resources where needed to improve air quality. The investigator will work closely with community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and regulated entities to address environmental health risks. The role also requires collecting data, preparing detailed reports, and engaging with internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will excel in building relationships, possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and be dedicated to advancing equitable health outcomes for communities historically affected by systemic inequities, including low-income families, descendants of African slaves, Indigenous populations, immigrants, refugees, and other communities of color.
Climate & Health Equity Initiative
Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) plays a critical role in building the capacity for King County and its communities to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to the health impacts of climate change. To focus these efforts, PHSKC launched in 2022 a cross department, interdisciplinary, community-centered Climate and Health Equity Initiative (CHEI). The mission of CHEI is to support health protection, prevention, and preparedness programs that minimize the adverse health impacts associated with climate change, particularly among frontline communities.
Temporary opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last for
six (6) months, However, funding sources for this work remain uncertain and dependent upon decisions actively being made at both the federal and local levels. As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions. The County and the Department continue to work to secure long term funding sources.
Funding for this position is anticipated to last at least through June 30, 2025. This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.
Commitment To Equity and Social JusticeNamed after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
To learn more, please visit
http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspxJob Duties
KEY EXPECTATIONS AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Conduct in-person air quality assessments in residential homes, adult family homes, childcare centers, and other community facilities.
- Travel throughout King County for inspections, including the use of an assigned county vehicle when necessary.
- Collaborate with community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and environmental agencies to engage vulnerable populations and distribute HEPA air cleaners.
- Organize and lead public webinars, outreach events, and educational forums on indoor air quality and pollution prevention.
- Collect and analyze air quality data and prepare detailed reports for stakeholders.
- Make referrals for additional services or resources to improve air quality when needed. Coordinate with internal King County departments to ensure the project aligns with broader health equity initiatives.
- Other duties as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Required:
- Basic understanding of environmental health regulations and indoor air quality standards.
- Experience in conducting site assessments and community outreach.
- Strong analytical and communication skills.
- Willingness to collaborate with healthcare providers and community organizations.
- Knowledge of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles
Desired:- Bilingual skills preferred (e.g., Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese).
- Experience working with marginalized communities, including low-income families and descendants of African slaves.
- Knowledge of air quality monitoring tools and data analysis.
LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS- An HEI Level II hire requires, at the time of hire, possession of a valid certificate as Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or as a Registered Sanitarian (RS) from the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians (WSBRS).
- An HEI Level I hire requires obtaining a valid REHS certificate from NEHA or an RS from WSBRS at six months. If the position is extended past 6 months, we will develop a plan to obtain a certificate as a condition of continuing employment.
- Valid Washington State driver's license.
Supplemental Information
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our
"True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer:
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply:
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
SALARY INFORMATION (DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS)- $36.37 - $46.10 Hourly: Health and Environmental Investigator I
- $42.94 - $54.43 Hourly: Health and Environmental Investigator II
Application Process:If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
Necessary Special Requirements:- The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
- Pre-employment Physical.
- The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
- For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
- If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
Work ScheduleThis position will work Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00 with occasional nights and weekends as needed. This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime.
Work LocationThis position will be located at the Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 and involve frequent travel throughout King County.
Teleworking:Some of the work associated with this position will be performed through teleworking, and will report to office location and to meetings as needed. Travel to other work locations may be necessary. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team.
Union MembershipThis position is represented by PROTEC 17.
ContactFor questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson,
sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov.
