Director, Environmental Health

THE VACANCY

The Director, Environmental Health directs and administers all local environmental health programs mandated by law and other programs as delegated by the Health Officer or that serve the County’s best interest to be managed and implemented by the Department; plans, organizes and directs the activities of the Environmental Health Department, Health Care Services Agency, and does related work as required.

The Director, Environmental Health is responsible for the operations of the Environmental Health Department in the Health Care Services Agency. The incumbent is responsible for and supervises directly the Division of Environmental Health Administration, the Divisions of Environmental Protection, Vector Control Services District, Certified Unified Program Agency, and programs undergoing significant change such as the Safe Drug Disposal Program, Land Use (septic) and Ground Water management and protection and the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. He/she reports directly to the Director of Health Care Services Agency.

HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well being of Alameda County residents.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Department of Environmental Health is dedicated to providing highest quality services to the citizens of Alameda County. The ideal candidate will be prepared to lead the organization by exemplifying a commitment to continuous improvement and service excellence. The ideal candidate for this position will also have a track record of success overseeing environmental health services and be highly respected as:  

• Technically adept and prepared for advancement as a Director having achieved a thorough knowledge of the full scope of the functions performed at Department of Environmental Health (DEH)  in order to be best prepared to serve as a liaison for all policy, program and fiscal negotiations.
• A visionary who is capable of identifying, understanding and forecasting how external issues (e.g., economic, political, social and environmental health trends) may impact work and who is able to motivate and inspire others by providing leadership and setting a sense of purpose for the DEH Program. 
• A leader who will take personal satisfaction and pride contributing as a valued organizational leader having direct policy and administrative control and overall responsibility for the provision of efficient and effective Department of Environmental Health. 
• A collaborative strategic partner who actively engages with other agencies and departments to meet overall countywide needs while leveraging financial and other resources to maximize results and achieve positive outcomes.
• A business partner who will take personal pride and satisfaction contributing as a valued organizational leader with heightened business acumen with heightened business acumen able to build a strong organization that delivers results while exemplifying the use of resources wisely, responsibly, effectively, and efficiently.
• Flexible and adept at managing effectiveness of self and others when experiencing and leading change within new structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
• Capable of making a positive impact on others by exuding an air of confidence, creating good first impressions by professionally commanding attention, and earning the professional trust and respect of others.
• An effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills focused on building an environment where diverse, multidisciplinary service delivery teams can work together to enhance the delivery of services for Alameda County communities.    
• A practiced problem solver with good judgment capable of thinking logically, taking initiative and reacting calmly under pressure in order to arrive at sound conclusions, make well supported decisions and take appropriate action
• Someone who values and supports knowledge management and quality improvement principles, processes the tools to ensure continual organizational improvement and achievements.

- Required Certification:

The Director of Environmental Health must meet the minimum qualifications specified by the California Administrative Code (Section 1355): Possession of a valid certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist in the State of California.

- Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in industrial hygiene, environmental health science, or a related natural science field such as Geology, Chemistry, or Toxicology.

AND

- Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of full-time experience in the class of Supervising Environmental Health Specialist or Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist or a higher-level class in the field of environmental health in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.) This experience may be acquired through compatible private industry fields such as environmental consulting, or other public sector agencies on the State or Federal levels.


- Or II

Experience:

The equivalent of six years of full-time experience in an environmental health program in a class equivalent to or higher than the class of Supervising Environmental Health Specialist or Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist. (A Master’s degree in an appropriate field may substitute for 2 years of the required experience.) This experience may be acquired through compatible private industry fields such as environmental consulting, or other public sector agencies on the State or Federal levels.

- License:

The Director of Environmental Health must possess a valid California driver's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination as long as the California Administrative Code requirements are met.

The most suitably qualified candidates will also possess the following:

- Knowledge of:

• Trends, laws, principles, and practices of environmental health.
• Principles of supervision.
• Principles of organization and management.
• Technical aspects of environmental health administration.
• Complex funding structures related to environmental health.

- Ability to:

• Represent the Agency effectively with numerous agencies.
• Plan, organize, implement, and evaluate effectively a broad environmental health program.
• Communicate orally and in writing
• Make decisions.
• Analyze and problem solve.
• Provide leadership.
• Plan and organize.
• Exercise management control.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.
• Be flexible.
• Adapt to stress.

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1. A review of the candidates’ applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
2. A review of the Supplemental Questionnaire to determine the best qualified; only the most suitably best qualified candidates will be invited to the oral interview process.
3. An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

*WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance (Employer Credit)
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Group Legal
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.