Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Associate

The Department of Health and Human Services – Environmental Health Division is currently seeking candidates for the Consumer Protection and the Solid Waste Programs. The Primary responsibility of Staff assigned to the Consumer Protection inspection and permitting programs involve compliance with regulated food facilities, body art facilities, swimming pools and camp grounds. Staff assigned to the solid waste program will conduct compliance inspections and support solid waste disposal facilities and resource recovery and recycling programs, waste tire management, medical waste management and hazardous waste  management programs. 

The current vacancies are located in Auburn Ca Office. The positions may need to travel to the Tahoe-Truckee area on occasion to support the Division’s satellite office.

To administer and enforce Federal, State and local statutes, ordinances and regulations related to public health and sanitation; to encourage sound sanitary and environmental health practices; and to protect the environment and the public.

Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Associate
This is the second level class in the Registered Environmental Health Specialist series. This class is distinguished from the Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist by the assignment of more complex duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit, and are often assigned special projects requiring advanced knowledge of statues, ordinances, and regulations related to public health and sanitation. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant level upon demonstration of competency and knowledge involving the administration and enforcement of statutes, ordinances, and regulations related to public health and sanitation. In some cases, depending on the complexity of duties and job performance, an employee may remain classified as an Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist indefinitely.

The Associate Registered Environmental Health Specialist is distinguished from the Senior Registered Environmental Health Specialist in that the latter is an advanced journey level where incumbents perform the most complex and specialized work in environmental health and act in a lead capacity assigning, directing, and reviewing the work of an environmental health team.

Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Associate 

Receives direction from the Supervising Environmental Health Specialist and may receive technical and functional supervision from the Senior Registered Environmental Health Specialist. May exercise technical and functional supervision over assigned technical, clerical and less experienced professional staff.

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

• Perform the most complex and specialized work in the regulation and enforcement of environmental health safety laws, rules and regulations; interpret the more complex and specialized environmental health regulations, rules and policies.
• Lead and train subordinate staff in various aspects of environmental health programs; conduct trainings and develop training and guidance materials; assist staff in the interpretation of complex regulatory requirements.
• May coordinate and standardize program activities; assist in program planning and monitoring, including appraising the effectiveness of departmental programs; making recommendations on policies, procedures and regulations related to specific programs, then implement as directed.
• Draft proposed regulations or procedures related to the program areas assigned.
• Inspect and evaluate restaurants and other retail food establishments, public bathing, spa and other recreational and institutional facilities that are of a more complex nature; provide food handling education and other relevant public health and sanitation information; and participate in State-mandated food recalls.
• Conduct more complex 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 that are of a complex nature; 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.
• 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.
• May conduct plan checks of a higher level of complexity.
• Participate in environmental review process of assigned projects of a higher degree of difficulty; identify and evaluate concerns regarding discretionary entitlement applications of a complex nature; 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; make environmental health findings to County Planning Department and draft comments as opinion from Environmental Health Division; and represent the Division in public hearings as directed.
• 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.
• Conduct investigations and assessments of a higher level of complexity and respond to complaints involving issues of environmental health and sanitation; work with affected parties in resolution of problems and issues; prepare cases of a more complex nature for referral to the District Attorney or conduct immediate enforcement actions; and coordinate with other County divisions and departments and other public agencies and jurisdictions to protect public health.
• Provide information to the public regarding more complex 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 correspondence; and establish and maintain appropriate and accurate files and records.
• Coordinate activities with other agencies and groups; inform interested parties of recent developments in the program areas assigned.
• Provide information regarding household hazardous waste; respond to hazardous materials release/threatened release and provide technical assistance to emergency response team; and respond to complaints from public regarding hazardous materials/waste storage, use, or disposal in business, institutional, or private residential settings.
• 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.

Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Associate 

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: Two years of responsible environmental health administration and enforcement experience performing duties similar to an Assistant Registered Environmental Health Specialist with Placer County.

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.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California Department of Health Services.
• Within six months of assignment to hazardous materials enforcement, Certificate of Completion of Training of 40 Hour OSHA Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials Categorization, Advanced Class.
• 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.

Environmental Health Specialist - Registered - Associate

Knowledge of:

• Principles of environmental sanitation and the sanitation sciences.
• Public health methods and procedures used in inspection and correction of unsanitary conditions and in prevention and control of diseases.
• Sanitation provisions of the California Health and Safety Code.
• Physical and biological sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, hydrology and soils science.
• Principles of higher mathematics, engineering and hydraulics.
• 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.
• California Penal Code as related to public nuisances.
• Other pertinent statutes and regulations related to activities of the Environmental Health Division.
• Investigative techniques and principles of evidence.
• General concepts of civil and case law related to environmental health regulation.
• Agencies and resources involved in the field of environmental health.
• Operation, policies and procedures of the Environmental Health Division

Ability to:

• Simultaneously conduct multiple inspections and investigations and accurately document findings and maintain appropriate records.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job. Intermittently observe, identify and analyze public health and sanitation problems and develop solutions; analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; 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 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.
• Compile, analyze and evaluate technical information and prepare recommendations regarding further action.
• Perform mathematical computations and statistical analysis.
• Interpret plans, drawings and specifications.
• Use various test sampling, monitoring, measuring and laboratory supplies and equipment and specialized protective gear as needed.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Obtain information through interview and work firmly and courteously with the public.
• 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, typewriter, telephone, two-way radio, camera, facsimile machine, and photocopy machine.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Independently apply public health concepts to daily situations.
• Independently assess degree of environmental health risk and take appropriate action.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

 

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

 

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

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