Environmental Health Specialist

Title: Environmental Health Specialist

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $44,100.00 - $46,350.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: RAPPAHANNOCK-SPOTSYLVANIA

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This position would perform environmental health duties at the entry level as a trainee. 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.

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:
• Food related field duties, as required, to ensure state and local mandates are met; records, submits and updates establishment profile and risk data; issues permits and monitors permit status; conducts plan reviews for new and existing facilities
• 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

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

• Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs
• Ability to provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member
• Time management skills necessary to meet workload demands
• Knowledge and/experience in assigned program area
• Ability to influence behavior of foodservice employees/management, provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member
• Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able