Environmental Specialist Senior - Public Water

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Abingdon (VA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid holidays

Job summary

Virginia Department of Health seeks an Environmental Specialist Senior - Public Water to conduct inspections and sanitary surveys of groundwater waterworks, interpreting federal and state regulations for owners and operators. The role provides guidance to maintain compliance with health and safety standards and trains operators on waterworks operation and maintenance.

The position emphasizes public communication, reporting, and ensuring safe drinking water quality for the public.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of biology, microbiology, chemistry, and math.
• Ability to communicate facts clearly, verbally and in writing, and to present at public meetings.
• Ability to interpret complex federal, state and local laws, policies, regulations, and technical documents.
• A valid State Driver’s License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.
• Licensure as a Waterworks Operator by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation will be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections and sanitary surveys of groundwater source waterworks.
• Interpret applicable federal and state regulations for waterworks owners and operators.
• Provide guidance to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
• Assist waterworks in returning to compliance when violations occur.
• Train operators on operation and maintenance of waterworks.
• Provide the public with information on drinking water quality.

Skills

Biology

Microbiology

Chemistry

Math

Public speaking

Written communication

Regulatory interpretation

Job description

Title: Environmental Specialist Senior - Public Water

State Role Title:Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $53,200 - $63,085

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:Dept of Health

Agency Website:https://www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This is a public-facing position that conducts routine waterworks surveillance activities required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and VDH Waterworks Regulations. Under Section 32.1-167-176 of the Code of Virginia and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is mandated to establish and enforce safe drinking water regulations. These functions are of critical importance to sustaining a program of inspections to ensure continued compliance with state and federal regulations. The Environmental Specialist Sr for Public Water Works position provides technical assistance to primarily groundwater waterworks. Core responsibilities include conducting inspections and sanitary surveys of groundwater source waterworks, interpreting applicable federal and state regulations for waterworks owners and operators, offering guidance to help ensure compliance with health and safety standards, assisting waterworks in returning to compliance when violations occur, training operators on the operation and maintenance of waterworks, and providing the public with information on drinking water quality. The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Working knowledge of biology, microbiology, chemistry, and math
• Ability to express facts clearly, verbally and in writing, and to present at public meetings
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information with others and to prepare thorough and accurate reports and documentation of regulatory activities
• Ability to analyze information and data and to make recommendations for corrective actions and compliance
• Ability to interpret complex federal, state and local laws, policies, regulations, and technical documents
• A valid State Driver’s License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

Additional Considerations

• Licensure as a Waterworks Operator by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
• Experience in the provision of drinking water and related activities in the areas of enforcement and compliance

Contact Information

Name: Jerard Jarrett

Phone: N/A

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.