Environmental Health Specialist IV

County of Monterey; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus up to $10,000

Job summary

County of Monterey seeks an Environmental Health Specialist IV in the Healthy Housing Services program. The role leads environmental health staff, ensures enforcement of housing regulations, and collaborates with agencies to protect community health.

Responsibilities include supervision, program planning and policy interpretation, plus overseeing complex investigations and staff training. A background in environmental health with leadership experience is required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Environmental Health, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, or a closely related field.
• Two years performing duties at Environmental Health Specialist III or equivalent in Monterey County.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, assign and evaluate environmental health staff work.
• Represent the Division to public bodies and private groups within the district; conduct inspections and investigations.
• Monitor and coordinate inspection, investigation and enforcement activities; accompany staff in field investigations.
• Train staff on environmental health laws, ordinances, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Develop, interpret and implement policies and programs; identify operational problems and propose solutions.
• Perform complex investigations; prepare findings and recommend legal actions.
• Liaise with other governmental agencies; respond to inquiries from the public and stakeholders.

Skills

Supervise staff

Inspection expertise

Report writing

Communication

Policy recommendations

Public health evaluation

Education

Master’s degree in Environmental Health or related field

Job description

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Environmental Health Bureau sits within the County of Monterey’s Department of Health and consists of seven major environmental health regulatory programs: Healthy Housing Services, Consumer Health Protection Services, Drinking Water Protection Services, Environmental Health Review (Land Use) Services, Hazardous Materials Management Services, Recycling and Resource Recovery Services, and Solid Waste Management Services.

The Environmental Health Bureau is seeking to fill one full-time Environmental Health Specialist IV (EHS IV) for the Healthy Housing Services program.

The Healthy Housing Services program is responsible for ensuring safe and healthy living environments through the inspection and enforcement of state and local housing regulations for residential rental housing, employee housing, detention facilities, and other regulated facilities. The program investigates housing complaints, addresses substandard housing conditions, conducts vector control and agricultural field toilet inspections, supports the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and performs other environmental health activities designed to protect community health and prevent environmental health hazards.

The EHS IV is a supervisory/leadership position whose primary responsibility is to actively support the Director of Environmental Health's goals and vision by performing supervisory tasks such as administrative oversight and quality assurance of environmental health programs. Subordinate staff provide enforcement of environmental public health laws by conducting field inspections, project reviews and report writing. This role is to ensure activities are completed by providing timely feedback to staff while reviewing their work, spotting trends, and ensuring proper follow-up. The EHS IV guides the team to effectively meet performance measures and maintain high standards of practice. Several programs also include grant funded projects where substantive administrative, contract policy and technical issues require specialized analysis, strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, program recommendation and public outreach. This position is responsible for managing their program by utilizing team resources efficiently, thorough planning, delegating tasks to staff, monitoring progress and frequent communication.

As of October 11, 2023, the Health Department offers up to a $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment.

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flyer.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process will be used to fill current and future vacancies, both regular and temporary, as they arise.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, schedules, assigns and evaluates the work of an environmental health staff; reviews inspection and investigation reports prepared by staff.
• In a geographic district, represents the Division in all program areas to public bodies and private groups within the district; performs inspections and investigations as necessary, acts as a liaison to a variety of agencies on matters relating to the district.
• Monitors and coordinates the inspection, investigation and enforcement activities of the staff; accompanies staff in field investigations to insure consistency, completeness and conformity to laws and regulations.
• Trains staff in all laws, ordinances and regulations, policies and procedures relating to environmental health programs.
• Develops, interprets and implements policies, regulations, procedures and programs for the unit or district; identifies operational problems and recommends solutions.
• May perform the most complex and sensitive investigations or studies involving potential violations of environmental health laws, rules and regulations; prepares reports of findings, recommends legal action and prepares materials for use in legal actions.
• May act as liaison to other governmental agencies and represents the Division in responding to inquiries or providing information to the public, business and other interested groups.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

• Tolerate rodents and insects such as rats, mice and cockroaches; and substandard dwellings with unsanitary or hazardous conditions such as septic failures, accumulated garbage or animal waste.
• Work with potentially hostile individuals in volatile situations.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Thorough Knowledge of

• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and procedures governing environmental health.
• Principles, methods, technology and equipment applied in inspection, analysis and enforcement of environmental health regulations.
• Principles and practices of effective supervision.

Working Knowledge of

• Engineering, chemistry, microbiology, biology, epidemiology, hydrology and geology relating to environmental health programs.

Skill and Ability to

• Write effectively to prepare complex written reports, correspondence and memoranda.
• Speak effectively to individuals and groups.
• Supervise, train and evaluate professional and technical environmental health staff.
• Detect unsanitary conditions and potential public health risks.
• Collect, analyze and evaluate technical data and develop recommendations and policy proposals.
• Interpret complex written reports.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with government officials, the public, business and community representatives and other employees.

Desirable Qualifications

• Ability to speak, read, and write effectively in English and Spanish

Experience

• Two years performing the duties in a class comparable to an Environmental Health Specialist III with Monterey County.

Education

• Completion of all core courses leading to a Master’s degree in Environmental Health, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, or a closely related field.

Experience

• One year performing advanced journey worker/leadworker level duties in an appropriate environmental health specialty or two years performing general environmental health inspections and enforcement actions.

Conditions of Employment

• Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.
• Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California, Department of Health Services.

BENEFITS

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Bargaining Unit F Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITYAND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Michelle Cazola, Human Resources Analyst I, at (831) 755 – 4502 or [e-mail].