ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPEC I

The salary for this position is: $5,147 - $6,847 monthly.

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for an Environmental Health Specialist I – Ambient Monitoring for our Environmental Health Division. 

In your role as an Environmental Health Specialist I – Ambient Monitoring, you will work daily to ensure that our county-wide stream and lake monitoring program is running smoothly and in compliance with our quality assurance project plan. You will ensure high quality data is collected and presented to the public using methods that result in an increase in their knowledge of local water quality and inspires them to take independent action to improve it. Responding to public complaints regarding failing septic systems, poor animal waste management practices, etc., and working closely with property owners/occupants to correct any identified problems is also part of your job responsibilities.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Enforce the PHSS Sanitary Code in relation to water quality concerns
• Interpret laws and policies, assist with program development, draft policies, and make recommendations for consideration by department management and the Thurston County Board of Health
• Investigate, sample, evaluate, and act upon public complaints of conditions involving pollution, disease, illness, or contamination
• Conduct sanitary surveys and dye tests on onsite sewage systems
• Document inspection results and prepare documentation needed for enforcement action for failing septic systems
• Work with property owners and residents to correct conditions on their site that contribute to or have the potential to contribute to pollution
• Conduct environmental studies by gathering, evaluating, and reporting on data 
• Manage and analyze data
• Maintain rigorous quality assurance/quality control standards
• Offer technical support and education to the public
• Conduct water quality monitoring in lakes, streams, groundwater, and marine waters
• Write technical reports
• Spend long hours on foot and walking over rough terrain and up hills, in addition to lifting objects and material weighing up to 25 pounds
• Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations

To view the full job classification, click here: Environmental Health Specialist I

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment - Primarily a field position sampling lakes and streams throughout Thurston County, WA (75%) with routine office days for administrative tasks (25%)
• Schedule - Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm, with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working
• Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings
• Customer Interactions - Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public

 

WHO WE ARE:

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

 

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retiremen