Environmental Health Specialist II

County of Orange; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Orange is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist II in the Environmental Health Division. The role involves performing inspections of food facilities, pools, and related environments to protect public health, and enforcing applicable health codes.

The incumbent provides clear inspection reports and engages with business operators and the public to ensure compliance. The position requires an active REHS certificate from CDPH and the ability to work independently with minimal

Qualifications

• REHS certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is required.
• Applications with missing REHS certificate will not be processed.
• Ability to enforce health codes and communicate findings clearly to the public.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections of restaurants, pools, and spas to ensure public health compliance.
• Identify violations and determine corrective actions with documentation.
• Provide education and guidance to business owners and the public.
• Assist in issuing permits and enforcing health regulations as needed.

Skills

Public health knowledge

Communication with public

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Education

REHS certificate (CDPH)

Tools

Word processing

Database systems

Job description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59p.m. (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The eligible list established through this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Environmental Health Specialist II positions. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

THE HEALTH CARE AGENCY

The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) services areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION

The Environmental Health Division (EH) is comprised of various programs aimed toward protecting the health and safety of Orange County residents and visitors from harmful conditions in the environment. Staff enforce laws and regulations and emphasize education to assist businesses with providing healthy and safe communities. Services include retail and wholesale food protection, foodborne illness investigations, public pool inspections, childhood lead exposure prevention, water quality, ocean water protection, solid waste facility oversight, hazardous materials surveillance and mitigation oversight, underground and aboveground storage tank oversight, body art facility and practitioner oversight, medical waste management inspections and a used oil recycling education program.

THE OPPORTUNITY The Environmental Health Specialist II (EHS II) is the journey level in the Environmental Health Specialist series and works independently with minimal technical direction. Incumbents may be assigned to a specialized environmental health program, complex assignments, and unusual, sensitive, or difficult inspections and investigations. Incumbents may also provide technical assistance and training to other environmental health staff. Essential job duties and functions include, but are not limited to:

• Interact daily with food facility operators, pool operators, business owners, and members of the public to explain violations and regulatory expectations and provide education on laws and prevention strategies to ensure public health and safety
• Enforce public health laws and regulations which include conducting periodic inspections and investigations in restaurants, mobile food facilities, pools, and spas to ensure public health and safety. This involves:
  • entering kitchens, mechanical rooms, pool pump rooms, and other environments that may be noisy, wet, or physically restrictive
  • conducting inspections both indoors and outdoors in hot, cold, rainy, or humid weather conditions
  • carrying inspection equipment up to 30 pounds
  • identifying violations and determining corrective actions to ensure compliance
  • communicating and documenting findings in detailed inspection reports provided to the public
• Handle challenging and complex situations in a professional manner with facility operators to address non-compliance and enforce regulations, including delivering corrective action plans that may be met with resistance or confrontation

• Advance skills and knowledge of public health laws and regulations including enforcement of health codes, conducting food safety inspections and investigations, issuing permits, and all the EHS core competencies

IMPORTANT – REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) II applicants must attach a certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Applications submitted without this certificate will not be processed.

Information on how to obtain the certificate as a REHS can be found by visiting the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website.

CORE COMPETENCIES

The Ideal candidate will also possess the following core competencies:

• Possesses sufficient skills and knowledge, such as food safety and environmental health concepts, to perform key components of the job
• Demonstrates strong knowledge of environmental health principles and practices, including understanding of environmental risk assessment, public health safety, and disease prevention to complete work accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner; pays attention to important details
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail to identify potential violations, ensure accuracy, and support through inspections and documentation
• Proficiency in navigating modern technologies, including word processing, and database systems with confidence and efficiency.

Adaptability/Flexibility

• Maintain composure in high-pressure situations and approaches challenges with solution-oriented mindset, effectively managing reactions, emotions, and decision-making in a professional and productive manner
• Ability to quickly adjust to changes in work processes and team dynamics, reassess situations, and develop effective strategies when faced with challenging or evolving circumstances
• Effectively establishes goals and priorities, follows through on commitments and deadlines, and adapts to shifting priorities with focus and composure, maintain productivity without becoming overwhelmed
• Demonstrates openness to learning and adaptability by actively seeking guidance, feedback, and direction from supervisors, and applying coaching to enhance performance

Critical Thinking/Judgement

• Uses common sense and exercises good judgement in decision-making; understands the limits of decision-making capabilities
• Identifies potential problems and analyzes relevant facts and possible solutions or alternatives before