Title: Environmental Health Tech Specialist

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $62,143 - $72,956

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: BLUE RIDGE HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/blue-ridge

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) is seeking to hire an Environmental Health Tech Specialist. BRHD is one of 35 health districts within the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). We encompass the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson along with the City of Charlottesville and serve over 250,000 people.
Serves as environmental health technical leader, mentor, and subject matter expert as an advanced practitioner for the agency in one or more EH programs such as food safety, onsite soils evaluation, and grade A milk. Performs complex environmental health functions, provides consultation and training to EH staff, assists in conducting training and may provide formal input into performance evaluations of EH staff. Must complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications: VDH Certified Milk Sanitation Officer, VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO), VDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist.
VDH offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of environmental health principles and practices related to the assigned program(s).
• Knowledge of microbiology and epidemiology as related to communicable disease.
• Skill in evaluating the operation of assigned program area(s) and applying laws, regulations, and policies.
• Skilled in proper use of instruments and equipment required for testing related to the assigned program area(s).
• Ability to interpret, apply, and enforce laws, regulations and polices governing environmental health.
• Ability to explain and interpret detailed and complex rules and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to train and mentor program staff.
• Must be able to complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications: VDH Certified Milk Sanitation Officer, VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO), VDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist.

Additional Considerations

• Experience related to the area of environmental health specialization.
• Prior experience training and mentoring staff preferred.
• Preferred candidate will hold a National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) certification as a REHS and/or CP-FS
• Possess knowledge and experience in the FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHS IG Exclusion List check, employment reference check, and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, or other background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists); sex; color; national origin; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer, VDH welcomes Veterans to apply!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.
VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year’s seasonal influenza vaccination.

Contact Information

Name: Tammy Richardson / Richard Bolden

Phone: 434-422-4556 / 434-972-6271

Email: Tammy.Richardson@vdh.virginia.gov / Richard.Bolden@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.