Environmental Health Specialist I/II

Kings-County; Hanford (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kings County Department of Public Health is seeking Environmental Health Specialists I/II to protect community health across environmental programs. Responsibilities include inspections, enforcing health and safety regulations, responding to concerns, and providing hands-on guidance in areas such as food safety, drinking water, wastewater, solid waste and land use.

Education/experience requirements vary by level.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, or closely related field with 30 semester units in basic science.
• Experience: Environmental Health Specialist II requires one year at Environmental Health Specialist I level with Kings County.

Responsibilities

• Inspects retail food establishments, public swimming pools and spas, water systems and medical waste facilities for compliance with health codes.
• Interprets environmental health regulations and communicates findings to the public and regulated community.
• Performs plan reviews for food facilities, body art facilities, pools, septic systems and water wells.
• Maintains records and prepares written reports and correspondence.

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, or a closely related field, including 30 semester units, or equivalent, of basic science

Job description

The Kings County Department of Public Health is currently seeking qualified individuals for the position of: Environmental Health Specialist I/II

Level I: $55,723 - $67,995 Annually Level II: $61,568 - $75,150 Annually

We are seeking Environmental Health Specialists I/II to help protect community health across a wide range of environmental programs. Incumbents will conduct inspections, enforce health and safety regulations, respond to environmental concerns, and provide hands‑on guidance in areas like consumer protection, hazardous materials, drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and land use. Whether you’re building your skills or working independently as a registered specialist, you’ll make a real impact in keeping our community safe and compliant.

• Performs regulation and enforcement of environmental health safety laws, rules, and regulations; interprets the more specialized environmental health regulations, rules, and policies related to environmental health program areas.
• Inspects retail food establishments, public swimming pools and spas, water systems and medical waste facilities for compliance with applicable health codes; visually inspects for conformance with applicable codes and regulations; collects required food and water samples; follows up on complaints; writes and issues violation notices.
• Conducts housing, detention facilities, and school inspections and issues corrective action and violation notices.
• Provides educational information to property and business owners, employees, and the public on environmental health regulations and safety; instructs food service workers on the proper handling of food.
• Performs plan review and approval of food facilities, body art facilities, commercial swimming pool facilities, septic systems, and water wells.
• Compiles data for and prepares comprehensive reports related to inspections, investigations, and studies completed.
• Provides general information to the regulated community and public regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations; receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance, concerns, and complaints from the public regarding division activities and programs.
• Confers with officials of other public agencies and persons with private business.
• Participates in community education and public information efforts.
• Maintains files, databases, and records related to citations and violations; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Provides training to less experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years.

A resume may be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions.

Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.

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:

Education and Experience

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, or a closely related field, including 30 semester units, or equivalent, of basic science.

Experience:

• Environmental Health Specialist I: None required.
• Environmental Health Specialist II: One (1) year of increasingly responsible experience performing duties at a level equivalent to the classification of Environmental Health Specialist I with Kings County.

Licenses and Certifications

Licenses:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

Certifications:

• Environmental Health Specialist I: Possession of a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee from the California Department of Health Services.
• Environmental Health Specialist II: Possession of a valid California Department of Health Services certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist to be maintained throughout employment.

Special Requirements

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Ability to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends and holidays, work on-call and overtime as necessary, and travel within and outside the County. Ability to become medically certified to use personal protective equipment including respirators.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Final Date to Apply: October 30, 2026

Human Resources Oral Boards: TBD Department Interview: TBD

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Veteran's Preference Application

You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.