Senior Environmental Health Specialist

This position is located in the Land Use Program.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEFINITION

Under direction, provides technical and functional direction to lower-level staff and performs a variety of difficult and complex inspection and enforcement activities within an assigned environmental health program; program areas include, but are not limited to, consumer protection, drinking water sanitation, solid waste disposal, wastewater disposal, and land use; interprets and enforces federal, state, and local statutes as they pertain to environmental management programs; promotes public health through inspection, permitting and enforcement; assists with planning and implementing new or specialized programs; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.  Exercises no direct supervision over staff.  

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level lead classification in the Environmental Health Specialist series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series, while also providing lead direction and training to lower-level staff. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgement.  Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgement to perform assigned duties.  Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver services.   Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness and conformity to policy and requirements.

This class is distinguished from the Environmental Health Specialist III in that the latter is the advanced journey-level class which serves as a technical expert over an assigned program(s) whereas the former is responsible for providing technical and functional direction over lower-level staff. 

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics.  The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Provides technical and functional direction to assigned staff; reviews and controls quality of work; participates in performing complex inspection and enforcement activities; performs complex and specialized regulation and enforcement of health and safety laws, rules, and regulations; interprets the more specialized regulations, rules, and policies related to the assigned area(s).  
• Trains employees in work principles, practices, methods, policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, codes, and regulations.
• Provides input into selection decisions, performance evaluations, disciplinary matters, and other personnel decisions.  
• Reviews referrals from planning, building and business license applications for conformance with environmental codes and regulations; coordinates referrals and/or projects with other units within the Environmental Health Division.
• Provides guidance to contractors, developers and the general public on wells and wastewater disposal permitting and regulatory compliance.
• Reviews all complaints completed by inspectors for completeness, error or omission; reviews routine and complaint inspections that result in critical violations and/or reinspection; based on this review, provides feedback and guidance to staff; updates completed complaint status in the automated data management system.
• Performs plan review and approval of food facilities, body art facilities, commercial swimming pool facilities, septic systems, and water wells.
• Assists management in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, codes and regulations.
• Conducts investigations and inspections on the most complex complaints for consumer protection, drinking water sanitation, septic systems, solid waste, and land use; ensures compliance with regulations; issues citations for violations of public health and environmental laws and regulations.
• Attends and participates in meetings and committees, both internally and externally, as assigned.
• Passes along critical information to Supervisor regarding staff needs for training, equipment, support or other.
• Responds to inquiries from dissatisfied members of the community regarding complaint investigations, fees, and/or inspections.
• Compiles data for and prepares a variety of records and reports related to environmental health investigations, inspections, studies, and projects.
• Maintains files, databases, and records related to citations and violations; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Principles and practices of environmental sanitation, including water supply, sewage and refuse disposal, and sanitation.    
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to environmental health programs. 
• Roles and jurisdiction of the Environmental Health Division and other County departments or external agencies.
• California Penal Code as related to public nuisances. 
• Principles and practices of sanitary food production, processing, and handling.   
• Principles and techniques of sampling and analysis of varied specimens.   
• Principles and practices of physical, biological, and social sciences as they relate to public health and environmental quality control. 
• Investigative techniques and principles of evidence. 
• Principles and practices of research, plan review and permit processing.
• Proper use and operation of field-testing equipment and materials used in environmental health inspections, investigations and warrants.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Provide staff leadership and work direction.?
• Train staff in work procedures.  
• Conduct complex inspections and investigations. 
• Review the work and reports of assigned staff for accuracy, completeness and quality.

• Conduct thorough routine, complex, and special inspections and investigations.  
• Analyze, interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations, codes, and departmental policies.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.?
• Detect unsanitary conditions, isolate causes, and take appropriate action to ensure compliance. 
• Simultaneously conduct multiple inspections and investigations, and accurately document findings and maintain appropriate records. 
• Collect and interpret field and test data accurately. 
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written material.   
• Review construction specifications and blueprints to ensure health and safety compliance. 
• Perform mathematical computations and statistical analysis. 
• Educate the public in matters of effective sanitary measures.   
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.   
• Maintain accurate files and records. 
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

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

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, public health, sanitation, or a related field; and

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in the inspection and enforcement of public health and environmental laws at a level equivalent to the class of Environmental Health Specialist II

Certifications and Licenses:

• 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.
• Must possess and maintain valid 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; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds. 
• 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 inspections: 

• Mobility to work in changing site conditions; to sit, stand and walk on level, uneven or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel and bend, to climb and descend ladders and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites.
• Strength and stamina to perform light to medium physical work; lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 50, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. 
• Fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. 
• Also includes field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, tight workspaces, 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.  

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County 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.

Salary : $63,045 - $84,490