Environmental Health Specialist II

Salary : $3,011.20 - $4,058.40 BiweeklyLocation : Orange CountyJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 5112HP-0824-042 (O)Department: Health Care AgencyOpening Date: 08/09/2024Closing Date: Continuous CAREER DESCRIPTIONENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.OPEN TO THE PUBLICThis recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the needs of the County are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.This recruitment will establish an openeligible list and will be used to fill current and future Environmental Health Specialist II vacancies within the Health Care Agency. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the County of Orange.THE HEALTH CARE AGENCYThe , is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) services areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISIONThe Environmental Health Division is comprised of various programs aimed toward protecting the health and safety of Orange County residents and visitors from harmful conditions in the environment. Staff enforce laws and regulations and emphasize education to assist businesses with providing healthy and safe communities. Services include retail and wholesale food protection, foodborne illness investigations, public pool inspections, childhood lead exposure prevention, water quality, ocean water protection, solid waste facility oversight, hazardous materials surveillance and mitigation oversight, underground and aboveground storage tank oversight, body art facility and practitioner oversight, medical waste management inspections and a used oil recycling education program. THE PROGRAMPlan Check: Conduct plan review and construction inspection for all retail food facilities and public swimming pools undergoing new construction or remodels throughout the county. These programs work directly with members of the public including owners, architects, and consultants.THE OPPORTUNITY:This position will assume specialized tasks within the Plan Check Section. The Environmental Health Specialist II will be assigned the tasks of reviewing and approving construction plans and conducting field inspections for food and pool facilities for compliance with sanitation and public health laws. Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Conducting specialized studies, investigations, inspections, and making recommendations as to findingsCompiling information, evaluating current procedures, and drafting proposed ordinances, division policies, regulations, and guidelines in the area of specializationPreparing various reportsPlanning and conducting in-service and public education training programsRecommending program goals and assisting in the implementation of County-wide environmental health programsAttending and addressing public meetings, educational conferences, and symposiumsReviewing and making recommendations involving environmental impactCoordinating work efforts with other divisions or outside agencies and assisting supervisors as neededDESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following competencies:Professional & Technical Expertise | Legal & Regulatory NavigationUnderstanding and applying new food safety training concepts, such as Oral Culture Learning, Active Managerial Control, and the Food Drug Administration Voluntary Program Standards as well as the Model Food CodeKnowledge of laws and regulations related to retail food and public swimming pools and spasKnowledge and familiarity of digital plan submission and plan review applicationsApplying analytical skills and consistency for accuracy purposesConducting routine field inspections Building & Maintaining Relationships Developing, collaborating, and maintaining working relationships and continuously works to improve relationships, contacts, and networksApplying knowledge of building rapport, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques Using diplomacy when dealing with challenging situations and/or peopleLeadership | TeamworkLeading, directing, and efficiently managing correspondencesExemplifying a role as an approachable "educator" as opposed to a traditional "regulator"Sharing responsibility and ownership for group accomplishments and shortcomings Facilitating, motivating, and supporting others to achieve a common goal or outcome Willingness to learn and adapt to feedback, change, and new informationAdaptability | Attention to DetailStaying apprised of new opportunities, techniques, and approaches related to inspections or environmental healthAbility to multi-task several assignments and effectively prioritizing projects and assignmentsMaintaining adequate preparation time for scheduled meetings/deadlinesAchieving goals in a timely manner, despite obstacles encountered, by organizing, re-prioritizing and re-planning if neededResponding to changing circumstances with a positive attitudeOral & Written Communication Communicating effectively and professionally both orally and in writing with internal and external partners and during public speaking engagementsCommunicating accurately to convey both substance and intentPresenting ideas and complex materials clearly, concisely, logically, and persuasively SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTSApplicants must have possession of A valid certificate of registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the State of California.Applicants must have possession of a valid California Class C Driver License. Employees in this class will be required to use their own personal vehicle.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSClick here to learn more about the minimum qualifications and physical, mental, and environmental conditions for the Environmental Health Specialist II.RECRUITMENT PROCESSHuman Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified candidates. After screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition. Veterans Employment PreferenceThe County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy. Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedure listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure. Eligible ListHRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION EMAIL NOTIFICATION:Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:Clickhere for additional Frequently Asked Questions. For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Mariah Cuellar at (714) 834-3179 or EEO INFORMATIONOrange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.Non-Management BenefitsIn addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidayswe also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.Click for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.01 The information you provide will be used to rate your qualifications for the position. Incomplete information will result in a lower rating. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions. Please provide concise, descriptive, and detailed information when answering the question. If you do not have experience, please write N/A. NOTE: 'See resume', 'See above', or copy and paste of your resume are not considered qualifying responses and will not be scored. By selecting yes below, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this application requirement. Yes No 02 Do you possess a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California? Yes No 03 If you answered, "Yes" to Question #2, please provide your Registration Environmental Health Specialist number. If you answered "No," please put "N/A." 04 This position will require a valid California Class C Driver License by date of appointment. Will you be able to provide proof of a valid California Class C Driver License by date of appointment? Yes No 05 Candidates who are selected for the position are required to use their personal vehicles for conducting inspections and County business and will be reimbursed through the mileage claim process. Please select the option that best describes your means of transportation. Yes, I have a personal vehicle that would enable me to conduct daily inspections and county business. No, I do not have a personal vehicle that would enable me to conduct daily inspections and county business. 06 Please select the option that best describes your experience performing the duties of a Registered Environmental Health Specialist that can be directly related to the knowledge and abilities listed as minimum qualifications.Note: A Master's Degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in a science field, such as biology, chemistry, environmental health, public health, environmental engineering, ecology, or geology, may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.If you are qualifying with a master's degree, a clear copy of your unofficial transcripts must be attached to your application for verification to move forward in the recruitment process. At least one (1) year experience as an Environmental Health Specialist I with the County of Orange One (1) year of experience as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist and a Master's Degree in a related science field (must attach unofficial transcript). At least two (2) years of experience as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist. Less than two (2) years of experience as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist. None of the above. 07 Describe in detail your experience as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS). Include in your response, your scope of responsibilities, years of experience performing these duties, and the organization you obtained this experience from. If you do not possess this type of experience, please write "N/A". 08 Please check all applicable areas in which you have training and/or experience in. Report writing and investigation. Plan check, foodborne illness, mobile foods, and/or temporary food events. Conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques. Team projects and/or collaborative processes. Data management, project prioritization, and strategy development. None of the above. 09 Please describe your experience in all applicable areas chosen in Question #6. Please concisely explain your training and experience. If this does not apply to you, please put "N/A". 10 Which of the following certifications do you possess, if any? Please select all that apply.NOTE: You will need to attach proof of certifications to your application for verification. Certified Pool Operator Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Food Safety Certificate Other None of the above 11 Do you have drafting or construction planning review experience in food facilities and/or commercial pools? Please include where you obtained your experience from, years of experience, and description of your responsibilities. If this does not apply to you, please put "N/A". Required Question