DEFINITION
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I/II
Department of Health & Human Services
Are you an environmental health professional or trainee looking to further your career? If so, consider joining our Environmental Health team! The Ideal Candidate will be adept at interacting with the public and communicating scientific concepts to a diverse population.
Please note: This position requires a valid California Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) Trainee letter OR possess a valid Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). You can find more information on the EHS Transcript Evaluation, including the EHS transcription Evaluation application on our website here: Environmental Health Specialist Transcript Evaluation (cpshr.us).
What You'll Do:This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including;
- Performing health and safety inspections at food facilities, public pools, and body art establishments,
- Sampling recreational water bodies and posting health advisories,
- Communicating the principals of hygiene, communicable disease, and sanitation to business operators and the public,
- Responding to consumer complaints related to environmental health.
Where You'll Do It:This position will be located at 100 H St., Eureka, California 95501A typical schedule for this position is M-F 8-5
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, performs professional inspection and enforcement work in an environmental health program; performs related work as assigned.
Environmental Health Specialist I is the entry level class of this professional series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform the more routine health inspection and enforcement duties while learning the more skilled and complex work. As experience is gained, duties become more diversified and are performed under more general supervision. This class is alternately staffed with Environmental Health Specialist II, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications for the higher level class, and after obtaining State Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist.
Environmental Health Specialist II is the journey level class in this series, registered by the State of California and fully competent to perform a wide range of health inspection and enforcement duties. It is distinguished from Senior Environmental Health Specialist in that the latter is the specialist lead level of the series, exercising a higher degree of independent judgment on diverse and generalized assignments with a greater degree of accountability and on-going decision making responsibility.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Conducts inspections and investigations and prepares written and oral reports related to public health communicable disease investigations.
- Makes recommendations regarding sewage disposal and water availability requirements related to land division projects in the County.
- 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 with 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.
- Prepares comprehensive reports related to inspections, investigations and studies completed in the public health areas.
QUALIFICATIONS
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of environmental sanitation, including water supply,sewage and refuse disposal, housing, recreational and industrial sanitation and vector control.
- Practices 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.
- Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals, often in difficult situations
Skill in:
- Making thorough routine and special 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.
- Maintaining accurate records and files.
- Preparing clear, concise and accurate reports, correspondence and other written materials
- Reviewing construction blueprints to ensure health and safety compliance.
- Identifying and recommending solutions to vector infestation problems.
- 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 prior to advancement to the II level.
Desirable Education and Experience
A typical way of gaining the knowledge and skills outlined above is:
Environmental Health Specialist I: Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in environmental health, sanitation or a related biological field.
Environmental Health Specialist II: One year of experience in the inspection and enforcement of public health and environmental law at a level equivalent to the County Class of Environmental Health Specialist I.
Licenses and Certifications:Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.
and
Level I: possession of a letter confirming acceptance by the California Department of Public Health to work as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee.
Level II: possession of a registration by the State of California as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:When assigned to an office environment:
- Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; ability to stand and walk between work areas; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
- Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
- Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
When assigned to field inspection:
- Mobility to work in changing site conditions and move quickly through a site inspection; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; frequently walk in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations; to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 50 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
- Vision to inspect site conditions, violations, problems and work in progress.
- Strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: - Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
- Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions including rain, wind, snow, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.
- Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:- Some departments may require pre-employment screening measures before an offer of employment can be made (i.e. background screening, physical examination, etc.).
WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
HOW TO APPLY
A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for.Applicants must apply online through the county’s automated application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/humboldtcountyca.
Applications must be submitted no later than the final filing date and time listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by Human Resources staff and may also 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 education and experience you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
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.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
The county utilizes a set of rules to ensure that our hiring processes are fair and equitable. Applications will be screened and those considered most qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.
CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAM
Employees 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% 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.
EMPLOYEE PERKSFor 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 QUESTIONSHow 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?
- No. Once an application has been submitted, it is final. Applicants may submit a new application with updated information during the filing period if they wish. Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will not be considered.
How long until I hear back from you and how can I check for updates on my application?
- You may receive communications regarding your application at different stages of the selection process. Important updates will be sent to the email address listed in your governmentjobs.com account at the time of notification. To ensure you don't miss any critical information, we recommend keeping your email address current and regularly checking both your inbox and junk mail folders throughout the process. You can also log into your governmentjobs.com account at any time to check your application status. If you have any questions about your application's progress, feel free to contact the County of Humboldt Human Resources Personnel Division at 707-476-2349 or personnel@co.humboldt.ca.us.
Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview / Oral Exam?
- Yes, you will be informed via email if you are not selected for an interview / Oral Exam.
OUR 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 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.
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.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERThe 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.
