Placer County

Environmental Health - Trainee (#14518)

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$32.74-$40.89 Hourly / $5,674.93-$7,087.60 Monthly / $68,099.20-$85,051.20 Yearly

DEFINITION

To learn, administer and enforce federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and regulations related to public health and sanitation as a Trainee; to learn to encourage sound sanitary and environmental health practices; and to learn to protect the environment and the public.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Environmental Health Trainee is a training level classification in the Environmental Health Specialist Series established to qualify incumbents in the training and experience requirements to become a Registered Environmental Health Specialist with the State of California. This class is distinguished from the Registered Environmental Health Specialist by the performance of the less complex routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Positions in this classification do not possess registration as an Environmental Health Specialist by the State of California. Employees at this level are expected to perform under guidance and direction.  Since this class is used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Upon completion of the State of California Environmental Health Trainee requirements and issuance of a State of California Environmental Health Specialist registration number, incumbents meet the eligibility requirements for the flexibly staffed Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist classification.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate and close supervision from the Supervising Environmental Health Specialist and may receive technical and functional supervision and training from an Assistant or Associate Registered Environmental Health Specialist.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

As a trainee, receive instructions and perform the following duties in a learning capacity:
  • Inspect and evaluate restaurants and other retail food establishments, public bathing, spa, and other recreational and institutional facilities; provide food handling education and other relevant public health and sanitation information; and participate in state-mandated food recalls. 
  • Conduct plan checks of new or remodel construction plans for restaurant, pool, and spa facilities relative to regulatory compliance; investigate complaints about sewage and various public health nuisances; conduct epidemiological investigations; handle housing and vector complaints; and investigate food borne illnesses. 
  • Conduct site evaluations of proposed developments, including soils testing, to determine site capability for sewage disposal; evaluate submitted designs and proposed septic systems relative to site conditions; evaluate feasibility of proposed subdivisions and set conditions for approval; and recommend approval or denial of variances and appeals.
  • Evaluate existing sewage disposal and water treatment installations and facilities for regulatory compliance; evaluate need for expansion or replacement of treatment systems; evaluate well sites and well construction for code compliance and acceptance as domestic water supply; and test and assess public drinking water potability. 
  • Conduct compliance inspections of public drinking water systems and evaluate laboratory testing data related to state and federal safe drinking water standards.
  • Evaluate solid waste handling and disposal facilities; review and recommend approval of or note exceptions to engineering reports regarding construction, operation, monitoring and closure/post closure maintenance and use; and respond to complaints and inquiries from the public regarding solid waste handling and disposal. 
  • Participate in environmental review process of assigned projects; identify and evaluate concerns regarding discretionary entitlement applications; process environmental assessment questionnaires and environmental impact reports; provide information regarding public health and sanitation issues involved in projects to proponents, the public and public hearing bodies. 
  • Conduct site assessments as part of environmental review process; develop recommendations for approval or denial; and assist staff in drafting environmental health findings and draft comments as opinion to the County Planning Division from the Environmental Health Division. 
  • Inspect and evaluate facilities that handle hazardous materials; review hazardous materials business plans for regulatory compliance; inspect above ground containers and underground storage tanks; and approve plans for and monitor underground storage tank removal and installation. 
  • Provide collection and information services for household hazardous waste; and evaluate facilities to generate and manage hazardous waste; respond to hazardous materials release/threatened release and provide technical assistance to emergency response team; and respond to complaints or requests for service from public regarding hazardous materials/waste storage, use, or disposal in business, institutional, or private residential settings. 
  • Conduct investigations and assessments and respond to complaints involving issues of environmental health and sanitation; work with all affected parties, in resolution of problems and issues; and coordinate with other County divisions and departments and other public agencies and jurisdictions to protect the public health. 
  • Provide information to the public regarding environmental health and sanitation issues and respond to questions and inquiries in the office, by telephone, in person at field sites, or through educational presentations; prepare staff and regulatory reports and correspondences; and establish and maintain appropriate and accurate files and records.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both an indoor office environment and in the field requiring travel to various locations throughout the County in a variety of outdoor weather conditions. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: No experience is required.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in any of the biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, engineering or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

  • Possession of a letter of approval issued by the State of California Department of Public Health verifying eligibility for training.
  • May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

  • Physical and biological sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, hydrology, and soils science.
  • Principles and practices of scientific research and statistical methodology.
  • Computer software, including word processing, spreadsheet, data base, and various statistical analysis applications.
  • Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
  • Principles and practices of work safety.
  • English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Ability to:

  • Learn to perform the duties of an Environmental Health Specialist.
  • Intermittently observe, identify, and analyze public health and sanitation problems and learn to develop solutions; analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; learn to interpret, enforce, and explain statutes, regulations, policies and procedures; and maintain awareness of safety at all times.
  • On a continuous basis, sit at desk or in vehicle for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, kneel, climb, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, twist, balance, crawl, feel, and reach while conducting field inspections and investigations, or making various tests; see to observe field conditions; differentiate colors on charts, maps, or identification shields, in soil or food, or as part of testing; hear to evaluate proper functioning of various kinds of equipment; use a telephone; write or use a keyboard to communicate; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; and lift moderate weight.
  • Learn to compile, analyze, and evaluate technical information and prepare recommendations regarding further action.
  • Perform mathematical computations and statistical analysis.
  • Learn to interpret plans, drawings, and specifications.
  • Learn to use various test sampling, monitoring, measuring, and laboratory supplies and equipment and specialized protective gear as needed.
  • Learn to obtain information through interview and work firmly and courteously with the public.
  • Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
  • Work unusual and prolonged work schedules in the event of an environmental or public health emergency.
  • Use a computer, calculator, telephone, two-way radio, camera, dictation machine, facsimile machine, postage meter and photocopy machine.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:

  • All permanent appointments from open eligible lists to open positions in the classified service shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit:

  • General
CLASS: 14518; EST: 9/2/1995; REV: 12/20/2021;