Environmental Health Specialist I-II-III - Consumer Protection Programs

County of San Mateo; California; On-site; USD 60,242 - 93,607; Full time

Job summary

A local health department in California is looking for Environmental Health Specialists to ensure community safety and health through inspections and regulatory enforcement. The role involves conducting inspections, consulting with businesses, and addressing complaints from the public. Strong communication and analysis skills are needed, and fluency in English and Spanish is preferred. This position offers an opportunity to impact community health positively. Professional certification in environmental health is required.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English and Spanish preferred.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Skill in advising others on sanitation and environmental health.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Investigate and resolve public complaints regarding environmental health.
• Advise business owners on environmental health laws.

Skills

Environmental health inspection

Consultation and investigations

Communication skills

Record-keeping

Education

Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 30 semester units of basic sciences

California certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)

Job description

San Mateo County Health's Environmental Health Services Division ensures a safe and healthful environment in the County's 20 cities and unincorporated areas through education, monitoring and enforcement of a variety of regulatory programs, as well as ongoing services to the community. For more information on the Environmental Health Services Division, please visit our website at https://www.smchealth.org/eh

The Position

The Environmental Health Specialist assigned to the Consumer Protection Program will provide services to the County and some local communities, including inspection, consultation, surveys, investigations and enforcement of regulations in activities relating to water, food, waste, housing, public pools and safety.

Rewarding Aspects of the Job

Your work will have a direct impact on helping the residents of San Mateo County live longer and healthier lives. The education and enforcement work in the food program will prevent food borne illnesses in the community. In addition, the regulatory oversight in our public swimming pool program will ensure a healthy way for the public to recreate as well prevent potential childhood drownings.

Challenging Aspects of the Job

You will have the opportunity to navigate complex regulatory environments while addressing the diverse needs of the public, businesses, and government stakeholders—all while making timely, evidence-based decisions that directly impact community health and safety.

Environmental Health Specialists I/II/III

Environmental Health Specialists I/II/III are responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

• Conduct regular inspections of food, water, housing, industrial, educational, and recreational facilities to ensure compliance with environmental health laws and regulations.
• Provide instruction and guidance to correct violations and carry out enforcement activities as needed.
• Investigate and resolve public complaints related to environmental health concerns.
• Advise and educate business owners, builders, architects, engineers, public officials, and others on the interpretation and application of environmental health laws and requirements.
• Conduct training sessions for employees of restaurants and other establishments in environmental sanitation practices.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports and correspondence.
• Serve as an expert witness in court proceedings when necessary.
• Provide general program support as assigned.
• At the III level, lead research or administer a senior project aimed at enhancing or strengthening a specific component of the environmental health field, and serve as a subject matter resource in that specialty area.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

There are currently three regular vacancies in the Environmental Health Services Division in the Food and Pool Programs. The positions are located in San Mateo, but will travel/drive throughout the County to perform duties of the job. Fluency in English and Spanish is preferred, but not required.

Applicants Must Meet The Following Certification Requirements

Environmental Health Specialist I – Possession of a current "Trainee Certification Letter" from the California Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Specialist Registration Program. (NOTE: An Environmental Health Specialist Trainee may be employed to work under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist, until he or she is qualified by examination as provided under Section 106670, for a period which shall not exceed three years.)

Environmental Health Specialist II and III – Possession of a California certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS).

For more information on the Registered Environmental Health Specialist Program, please visit the California Department of Public Health website at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DRSEM/Pages/EMB/REHS/REHS.aspx

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Applicants must attach a copy of current "Trainee Certification Letter" from the California Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Specialist Registration Program OR a copy of current California certificate as Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) when submitting online application. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• I level ($43.73 - $48.90 /hour): A bachelor's degree which has included a minimum of 30 semester units of basic sciences.
• II level ($51.25 - $64.04 /hour): One year of experience in general inspections and investigations in the environmental health field.
• III level ($54.38 - $67.95 /hour): Two years of journey level experience in environmental health inspections and investigations.

Knowledge of

• Principles of biological and physical sciences.
• Principles and practices of environmental health sanitation.
• Techniques of environmental health inspection, investigation and control.
• General community health problems and governmental programs designed to control or alleviate them.
• Research, evaluation and statistical methods.
• Laws, regulations and ordinances governing environmental health in California.
• Provisions of the Penal Code relating to public nuisances.

Skill/Ability to

• Interpret laws, regulations and data.
• Define difficult problem areas, analyze complex data and make valid recommendations.
• Advise and instruct others in the principles of sanitation and environmental health.
• Enforce local ordinances and state law.
• Work independently and as a team member.
• Keep complex and accurate records.
• Prepare clear, concise reports and correspondence.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
• Speak effectively and communicate in situations requiring instruction and persuasion.
• Represent the division as an expert in area of specialty.
• Assist in the training and orientation of new personnel.

Licensure/Certification

• For the II or III level: possession of a California Certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist.

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted 5 days in advance in the County of San Mateo Human Resources Department.

Responses to the supplemental questions on the application must be submitted. When completing the application and the supplemental questionnaire, please note that neatness, clarity of expression, spelling, punctuation, grammar and completeness will be considered in the application review process. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of submitting the required application materials.

The examination process will consist of an application appraisal/screening (pass/fail) based on the candidates’ application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application appraisal/screening will be invited to an interview (weight 100%). All examinations will be held in San Mateo County, California. Applicants must participate at their own expense. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time and place of the tests. Applicants must adhere to the dates listed below. Applicant requests for alternate test dates and times will not be granted. Applicants successful on the written test will have their name placed on the eligible list which will be used to fill current and possible future vacancies.

Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the Apply button above or below. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

• Final Filing Date: Continuous
• First Round Application Screening: Week of June 30, 2025
• Panel Interviews: TBD
• Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.

About The County

… (additional county information may be provided elsewhere)