Environmental Health Specialist

Title : Environmental Health Specialist

State Role Title : Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range : $45,000 - $48,000

Pay Band : 4

Agency : Virginia Department of Health

Location : CHICKAHOMINY-GOOCHLAND

Agency Website : www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type : General Public - G

Job Duties

The Chickahominy Health District is a 4-county district of health departments covering Hanover, Goochland, New Kent and Charles City. The District serves the citizens of these localities preventing illness, promoting healthy lifestyles, and protecting the environment. The Virginia Department of Health offer twelve 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. Additionally, a hiring incentive such as leave or a bonus may be considered for this role.

The Environmental Health Specialist performs entry level environmental health duties. Employees are typically new hires in formal and on-the-job training in one or more areas such as food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, and migrant labor camp inspection, classification of shellfish growing areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees receive close supervision and guidance.

Must be able to complete the applicable training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months : VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE), and National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector. Employees are moved to the Environmental Health Specialist Senior position upon successful completion.

Typical Core Duties include :

1. Program Support :

In consultation with EH Supervisor / EHS Sr. assures that all elements of program are conducted according to VDH regulations, state and local policies, implements / promotes quality assurance plans by complying with all applicable agency standards established by regulation and policy, In consultation with EHS Sr. and EH Supervisor, responds to reports using epidemiological research (interviews, case histories, sample collection), on-site evaluation, field testing, interpretation of laboratory results.

2. Environmental Health :

In consultation with EHS Sr. may perform the following EH duties : Protects public health from disease transmission and groundwater pollution associated with raw or partially treated sewage by ensuring the proper location, evaluation, design and construction, and operation and maintenance of Sewage Disposal Systems and Private Wells. Prevents human illness and disease transmission from rabies; understands the virus; comprehends and implements the Virginia Guidelines for Rabies Prevention and Control and all other applicable laws, regulations and policies. Monitors swimming pools, child and adult care facilities, hotels and motels and migrant labor camps. Documents observations and corrective actions on the appropriate inspection report. Conducts EH sanitary inspections upon request.

3. Environmental Health Complaints & Other Duties :

Conducts general environmental complaint investigations for assigned program area(s) with follow-up enforcement action taken when necessary. Responds to environmental complaints to include but not limited to rodents, insects and general environmental concerns. Achieves resolution of complaints within reasonable timeframe. May be required to perform other duties; may include functions in support of an emergency declaration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Proficient in basic computer software programs
• Time management skills necessary to meet workload demands
• Knowledge and / experience in assigned program area
• Provide services in professional, courteous manner; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member. Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal / external partners and staff
• Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months : VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) or National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector
• 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

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and / or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and / or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11 : 55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and / or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.

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!

Contact Information

Name : Karri Markle

Phone :

Email : karri.markle@vdh.virginia.gov

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.

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.