Environmental Protection Specialist I

State of Colorado; Colorado; On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

PERA retirement options

Medical and dental plans

Life insurance

Job summary

State of Colorado’s Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment seeks an Environmental Protection Specialist I to perform inspections and provide training in school and childcare programs. The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, and guidance to local public health agencies.

The position requires navigating state environmental health regulations, performing outreach, and supporting LPHA activities while coordinating with epidemiologists and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional experience in environmental health inspections or a related field.
• Combination of related education and experience may satisfy minimum qualifications.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders including state and local governments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regulatory inspections and prepare inspection reports and enforcement orders.
• Provide training and guidance to LPHA staff and regulated entities.
• Develop guidance materials and respond to inquiries from agencies and public.
• Monitor progress and ensure contract requirements are met.

Skills

Regulatory inspections

Report writing

LPHA collaboration

Training development

Public health

Education

Biology

Environmental Science

Related coursework

Tools

Office software

Job description

Department Information

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado.

At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

We support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . join us in serving our communities advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

Mission - To advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play.

Vision - To create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

CDPHE offers:

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Flexible working arrangements
• Retirement ( PERA options), Medical and dental health plans
• Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

Description of Job

The Work Unit:

The Institutions Unit is under the direction of the Deputy Division Director and is responsible for assuring compliance with the requirements of the food laws and sanitation regulations of the State for assisted living residences, swimming pools, child care facilities, and schools. These duties are accomplished through inspections, recall coordination, outbreak investigations, compliance assistance, and compliance assurance; by reviewing registration information, plan review submissions, and other field-generated information for assisted living residences (for retail food regulation compliance), swimming pools, child care facilities, and schools within the State. The school and child care programs are delegated through contracts to Local Public Health Agencies (LPHA). LPHAs conduct inspections and day‑to‑day program functions at the local level. This unit provides direct service for schools and child care facilities in the absence of a local program. The Division performs program audits and inspection standardization exercises with the delegated LPHAs. The unit, in cooperation with LPHAs, is responsible for assuring compliance with the requirements of the institutional environmental health laws and regulations of the State. The Unit determines the appropriate response, which may include informal or formal inquiries, such as embargo, condemnation, seizure, injunctive relief, and recalls, requesting additional field investigations, recommending and subsequently researching and recommending administrative or judicial enforcement actions, and developing and negotiating assessments. The Unit is also responsible for drafting new regulations, completing State Board of Health documents, and coordinating stakeholder meetings.

What You Will Do:

The purpose of this position is to serve as an environmental protection specialist within the school and childcare programs. This position conducts regulatory inspections; prepares inspection reports, compliance advisories, LPHA assessments, and orders or recommendations for enforcement. Additionally, this position serves as a trainer in school and childcare programs. The position conducts training and joint inspections for LPHA staff and develops guidance materials for the programs. In addition to direct facility inspection oversight, this position provides compliance assistance, guidance, and training to the regulated community and local public health agencies. This position is expected to be a junior‑level inspector with the goal of being fully operational as a senior‑level inspector. This position requires wide‑ranging oversight from the supervisor.

Key Responsibilities:

• Writes technical reports, creates and maintains accurate records, and initiates appropriate enforcement actions such as follow‑up inspections, voluntary condemnations, and voluntary closures as necessary when non‑compliance is identified within school or childcare operations.
• Works collaboratively with epidemiologists to investigate illness and outbreak investigations.
• Through research of technical reports, governing regulations, statutory requirements, and other resource materials, creates and drafts responses to questions and inquiries presented by local public health agencies' staff, school administrators, childcare providers, and the public.
• Actively monitors progress and reviews reports submitted by LPHAs for completeness and contract requirements.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description:

I3A2T* Environmental Protection Specialist I

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

Five (5) years of professional experience working in a field related to the work assigned to the position, such as environmental health inspections or in an occupation directly related to the work assigned in this position.

Or

A combination of related education from an accredited college or university in Biology, Environmental Science for a field of study closely related to the work assignment and One (1) year of experience in a field related to the work assigned to the position, such as environmental health inspections or in an occupation directly related to the work assigned in this position to equal five (5) years.

NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

**This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.**

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience conducting regulatory inspections in child care facilities, schools, retail food establishments or a related industry.
2. Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders including state and local governments, non‑profits, community groups, private regulated entities and federal agencies such as EPA.
3. Advanced Interpersonal and conflict management skills e.g. displays understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy and concern.
4. Develops and maintains effective relationships, deals skillfully with people who are difficult, hostile or distressed, effectively manages and resolves conflicts, confrontations and disagreements in a positive and constructive way. Computer literate.
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
6. Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.
7. Ability to analyze facts, data and evidence to arrive at a logical conclusion.
8. Experience with investigating complaints and outbreak investigations that are received regarding regulated facilities.
9. Experience with assisting in developing classroom training materials to support learning needs of regulated communities, stakeholders and LPHA staff.
10. Ability to make recommendations on reporting improvements and / or program improvements based on submitted information.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Must match approved PD

• A pre‑employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
• TRAVEL: Traveling 80% of the time, with up to 30% of that travel being overnights, required to accomplish job duties; it may also require out‑of‑state travel for training courses/meetings up to two times per year.
• Operation of a fleet vehicle on a regular basis.

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at [e-mail] within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.

Supplemental Information

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.
• Cover Letter
• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify:

CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [e-mail] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.