Environmental Health Specialist I/II

Environmental Health Specialist is a professional class series responsible for program activities related to the protection of the environment and public health.  Incumbents perform a wide variety of duties in the inspection, education, investigation and enforcement of federal, state, county and local laws and ordinances pertaining to environmental health issues; and do other related work as required to plan, coordinate and implement Environmental Health Division programs designed to preserve and protect the health and safety of County residents and others; to conduct inspections and enforce state and local regulations related to retail food facilities, hazardous materials, water supplies, solid waste and liquid waste disposal, recreation, vector control, air quality and land use; to prepare and maintain related records and reports; and to perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Environmental Health Specialist is a flexibly staffed class series. Positions allocated at the I/II levels are typically filled at the I level. Advancement from the I to the II level is at the discretion of the appointing authority provided the following criteria are met: 1) the minimum qualifications and time-in grade requirements, 2) demonstration of the ability to independently perform the full scope of the assigned duties.

Environmental Health Specialist I

This is the entry level classification of this professional series. Incumbents in this classification work under close supervision of registered environmental health personnel and perform the more routine inspections and enforcement duties.

Environmental Health Specialist II

This is the journey level classification in this professional series. Incumbents are expected to be fully competent; work with minimal supervision; and perform a wide range of inspection and enforcement duties.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction and supervision from the Environmental Health Manager.

Environmental Health Specialist II may exercise supervision over lower-level staff.

Performs inspections and investigations of environmental health conditions associated with retail food facilities, hazardous materials, water supplies, solid waste and liquid waste disposal, recreation, vector control, housing, air quality and land use.

Advises of and enforces public compliance with environmental health practices and regulations.

Reviews plans, performs preliminary site evaluations, and issues or rejects permits for the construction of wells, sewage disposal systems, swimming pools and spas, food service facilities, facilities which handle reportable quantities of hazardous materials, underground storage tanks, solid waste facilities, and other facilities which may impact public health; inspects installations for compliance with regulations and approved designs; conducts routine and non-routine inspections of operating facilities.

Collects samples of water, beverages, food, air, soil and other materials for laboratory tests; interprets test results and takes appropriate action.

Investigates public complaints of unsanitary conditions and alleged violations of codes and regulations.

Issues violation notices and/or compliance orders; recommends legal action against recalcitrant violators of local and state health regulations; prepares and presents court testimony as required.

Inspects permanent and temporary food facilities for compliance with health regulations and standards; responds to complaints and investigates alleged food-borne illnesses.

Provides air quality control services by monitoring air pollutants, issuing permits and performing field inspections of pollutant sources; reviews and approves or rejects plans for proposed controlled burns.

Investigates sites of hazardous waste spills, including leaking underground fuel tanks, and makes recommendations based on the impact to human health and environmental resources.

Performs inspections and reviews emergency response plans for California Accidental Release Program facilities.

Reviews land use documents and provides comments regarding the impact on environmental health; collaborates with Planning Department personnel on land use projects and issues.

Plans and implements a program of public education to increase the awareness of and the ability to comply with public / environmental health regulations and standards.

Provides information to the public in matters of vector control and rodent control.

Provides on-site compliance training of food service, swimming pool / spa, and other personnel dealing with public / environmental health standards, as needed.

Prepares and maintains complete and accurate records; prepares and submits reports required by the County and other agencies.

Coordinates and/or participates in special programs and projects as assigned.

Responds to public requests for assistance, complaints or inquiries in areas of responsibility.

Coordinates assigned activities and programs with those of other departments, divisions and agencies as appropriate.

Provides training and leadership of Environmental Health Aide as assigned.

Performs general administrative and clerical work as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, attending meetings, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, assembling materials, sending and receiving faxes, answering the telephone, compiling data for reports, preparing mailings, etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

Environmental Health Specialist I

No experience required.

Environmental Health Specialist II

One year of progressively responsible professional work experience in an environmental health program.

Education:

Environmental Health Specialist I and II

Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, biological science, chemistry, or a closely related physical science and a letter from the State of California certifying eligibility to work as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee or to take the REHS examination.

Licenses and Certificates:

Environmental Health Specialist I:  Must obtain State of California Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) certification within 24 months from date of appointment.

Environmental Health Specialist II: Must possess current State of California Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) certification.

Additional State Mandated Training:

All Environmental Health Specialists assigned to the CUPA program are required to possess HAZWOPER 40 Hour training certification.

All Environmental Health Specialists assigned to conduct underground storage tank (UST) inspections must obtain International Code Council California UST Inspector certification within 180 days of starting work in the UST program. 

All Environmental Health Specialists assigned to conduct aboveground tank (AST) inspections must obtain Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act certification.

All Environmental Health Specialists assigned as a California Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor must be certified by the California State Department of Public Health.

Additional Requirements (Environmental Health Specialist I/II):

Possession of a valid California driver’s license Under certain circumstances, Human Resources may accept a valid driver’s license from another state if applicant acknowledges his/her intent to acquire a California driver’s license within three months by signing an acknowledgement form.

Knowledge of:

Environmental Health Specialist I/II

General Knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and ordinances.

Principles, procedures and techniques used in planning, implementing and evaluating public health programs.

Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to environmental health.

Principles, techniques and materials used in public health education.

Basic principles of environmental sanitation and sanitary science.

Methods of inspection and investigation.

Basic principles, practices and trends in the field of environmental health and quality, specifically those relating to the food industry, hazardous materials, water supplies, solid waste and liquid waste disposal, recreation, housing, vector control, air quality and land use.

Basic biological and physical sciences, including chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, microbiology, biology and mathematics.

Communicable diseases and their prevention.

Basic principles of training and leadership.

Report and business letter preparation techniques.

Modern office practices and technology, including the use of computers for data processing and records management.

English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Safe work practices.

Public / community relations techniques.  

The above general knowledge is more specifically defined within the career series as follows:

Environmental Health Specialist I: (In addition to the above)

Basic principles of physical, biological and social sciences used in environmental quality control, including hazardous materials/wastes and their effects on human health and the environment if not properly handled, stored, treated and disposed; principles of environmental health.

Environmental Health Specialist II: (In addition to the above)

Principles and practices of environmental health inspection, investigations, regulation and enforcement in one or more environmental health programs; functions and relationships among federal, state, regional, and local regulatory agencies responsible for investigating violations of environmental health and safety laws; case preparation for civil and/or criminal enforcement; the microbiology of organisms of public health significance; communicable diseases associated with food, water, wastewater, arthropods and rodents; computers, word processing, and databases as appropriate to carry out typical tasks; and principles of basic toxicology and hazardous materials/waste properties as appropriate to job function.

Ability to:

Environmental Health Specialist I/II

General ability to interpret, analyze and apply federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, codes and ordinances.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Recognize environmental health problems and take effective action.

Conduct routine inspections and investigations.

Collect and analyze field data and other information and draw valid conclusions.

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, determine consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.

Research and prepare effective public education and information materials.

React quickly and calmly in emergency situations.

Prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports.

Perform mathematical computations with accuracy.

Provide effective training and leadership as assigned.

Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

The above general abilities are more specifically defined within the career series as follows:

Environmental Health Specialist I: (in addition to the above)

Learn relatively complex scientific and regulatory information; effectively use a computer in the course of normal duties;   prioritize work; effectively communicate both verbally and in writing; assess, evaluate, and investigate public complaints involving public or environmental health risk; analyze various situations and take appropriate actions; function as a working member of a group or team, as well as individually; detect environmental health related conditions harmful to public health and the environment and formulate and implement solid solutions; prepare and present comprehensive reports; effectively enforce laws and regulations; collect information and samples; and perform testing and monitoring procedures.

Environmental Health Specialist II: (in addition to the above)

Analyze and understand complex situations and comprehend scientific information, statutes, regulations, and procedures and effectively explain their application and public health significance to individuals, business owners, and others; work interdependently, with some assistance from the supervisor; inspect and survey various facilities to ensure conformity with environmental, health and safety laws, regulations, ordinances, and codes; gain compliance and cooperation of establishment representatives when engaging in enforcement/inspection; and complete assigned tasks in a timely fashion.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS 

Work is performed in an office and field environment.  Incumbent drives both off road and on surface streets and may be exposed to traffic hazards, adverse weather conditions, temperature and noise extremes, wetness, communicable disease, pathogenic substances, odors, skin irritants, unusual heights, air contaminants, fumes/dust, solvents, grease/oil.

Requires the mobility to work in an office and field environment. Requires the ability to sit at desk for long periods of time and intermittently walk, stand, climb, balance, bend, squat, twist and reach while performing office and/or field inspection duties; traverse uneven terrain; operate motor vehicles; lift and/or handle weights of up to 25 pounds; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation. Must be able to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating office and field equipment. Must be able to use a telephone to communicate verbally and a keyboard to communicate through written means, to review information and enter/retrieve data, to see and read characters on a computer screen.

This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive.  Incumbents may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document.

Salary : $5,583 - $7,541