Environmental Health Specialist II/III
Stanislaus County
A complete application in a minute
Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.
Job summary
Stanislaus County is recruiting Environmental Health Specialists II/III to inspect dairy farms and other facilities for compliance with the PMO, state and local sanitation rules, and public health standards. The role includes field inspections, sampling, and reporting under supervision, with eligibility for a list across Stanislaus County.
Applicants must hold a valid REHS certification and a CA driver's license, and meet education requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor degree as listed; registration under State law; one year of related inspection experience or six months if masters.
Responsibilities
- Make inspections to determine compliance with State/local health laws for sanitation in foods, water, housing, vector control, and more.
- Investigate complaints (food poisoning, nuisances) and conduct sanitation surveys with local officials.
- Prepare reports and correspondence; initiate legal actions for non-compliance when needed.
- Represent the Department in meetings and public forums; provide guidance on sanitation improvements.
Skills
Education
Job description
This recruitment is being conducted to fill part-time and full-time vacancies for the Department of Environmental Resources. This recruitment will establish an eligible list for vacancies throughout Stanislaus County. Positions may be filled at the Environmental Health Specialist II, or Environmental Health Specialist III level, depending on the qualifications of the applicant(s) selected. Under general supervision, incumbent conducts inspections and samplings of dairy farms in Stanislaus County to determine compliance with the following provisions: California Food and Agricultural Code, California Code of Regulations, and the current edition of the United States Public Health Service Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). They also perform other related duties as assigned. Incumbents of this position are expected to possess a valid Environmental Health Registration issued by the California Department of Public Health and a valid Registered Dairy Inspector certificate issued by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture at the time of hire.
- Application Deadline: Friday November 20, 2026
- Oral Examination: Week of December 7, 2026
- Make inspections to determine compliance with State and local laws and regulations governing sanitation in food handling establishments, sewage disposal systems, substandard housing, land use and recreational health, water supply, public nuisances, and vector and rodent control. When necessary, recommend change and give instructions for correction of deficiencies and violations;
- Recommend changes and gives instructions for correction of deficiencies and violations;
- Advise food handlers on the correct method of sanitation protection in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
- Investigate complaints, such as reports on food poisoning and public or private sanitation-related nuisances;
- Make sanitation surveys, when required, of communities and confers with local officials on sanitation problems;
- Investigate fly and other insect nuisances or infestations, make abatement recommendations, and instruct communities in control methods for carriers of all vectors-transmitted diseases;
- Inspect public and private recreational facilities;
- Make housing inspections to determine health and safety compliance with State and local housing laws and ordinances;
- Review plans for new subdivisions and food establishments, and recommend suitable water and sewage installations;
- Perform onsite evaluations of sewage disposal systems, including terrain, water table and soil suitability;
- Prepare correspondence and reports as required;
- Initiate legal actions as a result of non-compliance, by issuing a notice to appear in court, filing a criminal complaint or scheduling an administrative office hearing; and
- Represent the Department in public and private meetings, and speaks to public groups regarding the Department and related topics.
- Conducts inspections of dairies, dairy farms, retail outlets and distributors to determine compliance with State and local laws and regulations, governing the sanitation of facilities and compliance with product standards;
- When necessary, recommend changes and give instruction for correction of deficiencies and violations;
- Observe and report on the general health of dairy animals;
- Instruct personnel in the proper cleaning and sanitation methods, repair and dismantling and assembling of equipment and containers;
- Instruct dairy personnel concerning requirements of milk regulations and methods of maintaining a safe milk supply;
- Consult with and advise managing dairy personnel concerning general sanitation, repair and replacement of buildings and proper maintenance;
- Collect milk and by-product samples for analysis, and conduct appropriate tests;
- Interpret laboratory reports and discuss deficiencies with personnel;
- Gather evidence of violation of laws pertaining to milk and dairy products and may assist in preparing court cases;
- Take samples of water and sewage for laboratory tests;
- Inspect for rodent and insect infestation, and instruct in the control methods; and
- Maintain inspection records and prepare reports as required.
- Other related duties may be assigned.
- Effectively instruct individuals and groups on the principles and reasons for a safe and healthy environment;
- Understand and interpret laws, rules and regulations;
- Read and understand construction plans and blueprints involving numerous mathematical computations;
- Speak effectively before groups;
- Write and verbally communicate instructions for correction of deficiencies and violations in a clear and concise manner;
- Plan, organize and carry out complex environmental health studies and reports;
- Oversee investigations;
- Respond effectively to complaints from the public; and
- Detect unsanitary conditions and public health hazards and secure their correction through education, voluntary compliance or legal enforcement.
- Work with a high degree of independence, exercising a broad scope of judgment and latitude;
- Perform unusual and difficult research and analytical work;
- Handle difficult environmental investigations and take enforcement actions; and
- Handle difficult public contact situations and negotiate compliance points effectively.
- Principles and practices of environmental sanitation, including water supply, sewage, industrial waste and refuse handling and disposal, housing and recreational sanitation, air pollution, vector control, food handling and processing, and solid waste management;
- Provisions of the Health and Safety Code;
- General principles and practices of public health;
- Sanitation provisions of the California Health and Safety Code, Administrative Code and related legal provisions;
- Methods and procedures used in inspecting, investigating and correcting unsanitary conditions;
- Principles and practices of environmental sanitation and sanitary science, and principles and practices of public health;
- Penal Code relating to public nuisances;
- Basic water works construction features, such as sewage disposal systems, swimming pools, and wells, sufficient to evaluate plans; and
- Environmental impact of building plans.
- The various laws and regulations relating to environmental health and solid waste management;
- Specific principles and practices of public environmental health and solid waste management;
- Complex environmental sampling techniques and standards;
- Quality assurance and quality control techniques as they relate to investigations; and
- Biological agents and their effect on public health.
We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.
- Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Health, Environmental Resource Management or Microbiology. The coursework must meet the minimum standards and qualifications for registration as an Environmental Health Specialist under the applicable provisions of State law; AND
- Possess a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California; AND
- Minimum of one (1) year of related experience performing environmental health inspections, enforcement or remediation. Master's degree in a related field may substitute for six (6) months of the required experience; AND
- Possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License.
- Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Health, Environmental Resource Management or Microbiology. The coursework must meet the minimum standards and qualifications for registration as an Environmental Health Specialist under the applicable provisions of State law; AND
- Possess a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California; AND
- Three (3) years of experience equivalent to an Environmental Health Specialist II in general environmental resource management, environmental health or solid waste management; AND
- Possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License.
Proof of education and a valid REHS Certificate or eligibility letter from the State of California, Environmental Health Specialist Registration Program, is required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-6770 to make other arrangements within five (5) business days of submitting their application. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements within five (5) business days of submitting an application will result in disqualification.
Possession of a valid Registered Dairy Inspector (RDI) Certification issued by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture
Proof of a valid RDI Certificate issued by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture is required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-6770 to make other arrangements within five (5) business days of submitting their application. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements within five (5) business days of submitting an application will result in disqualification.
Most County recruitments consist of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.
- Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
- Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
- Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
- Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.
Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Technical Services bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.
The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.
Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.
Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).
Arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations are required to complete and submit the Testing Accommodations Request Form prior to the test administration date. Special arrangements for religious convictions should be included in the "Additional Information" section of the application form.
- Pass County-paid pre-employment job-related background investigation.
- Perform job duties in a manner assuring a safe working environment for oneself and others.
- Maintain confidential information according to the legal standards and/or County regulations as required.
- Some positions may be required to possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and meet County insurability requirements.
- Ability to understand and communicate in English sufficiently to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.
Application and/or examination results may be appealed by applicants presenting facts alleging irregularity, fraud and/or error in application screening or in exam scoring. Appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Chief Executive Officer within seven (7) days after the examination results are emailed.
Stanislaus County reserves the right to revise the examination plan described in this flyer to better meet the needs of County service. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The information contained in the bulletin is information which sets forth a general summary of benefits for this respective position. This information is not legally binding. The benefits and other information regarding this position may be found in the Stanislaus County Code, the Stanislaus County Personnel Policies manual, or in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s), and such information prevails over information contained in this flyer. Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office/Human Relations.
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
