Environmental Health Specialist III

Salary : $82,659.20 - $111,384.00 AnnuallyLocation : Orange CountyJob Type: Full-Time RegularJob Number: 5116HP-0824-042 (O)Department: Health Care AgencyOpening Date: 08/09/2024Closing Date: Continuous CAREER DESCRIPTIONEnvironmental Health Specialist III 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 County's needs are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. This recruitment will establish an open eligible list and will be used to fill current and future Environmental Health Specialist III 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 OrangeHEALTH 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 PROGRAMSFood and Pool Safety: Conducts inspections at retail food facilities, temporary food facilities, mobile food facilities, wholesale food facilities, public swimming pools, and at hotel/motels to promote safe and sanitary conditions and protect the public while enforcing public health regulations.Plan 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, contractors, and consultants.Water Quality: The responsibilities for this position include activities related to well constructions and destructions, liquid waste hauler, ocean water protection and cross connection programs. Each of these water quality programs are related to monitoring/regulating/preventing potentially hazardous conditions in the environment that may impact public health. Examples of duties in this position include conducting inspections, investigating complaints, pursuing enforcement action, educating and assisting businesses and industries, water purveyors, and the general public as to the laws and regulations related to water quality.THE OPPORTUNITYThe Environmental Health Specialist III will assume specialized tasks within the Food and Pool Safety, Plan Check, and Water Quality Sections. Additionally, the Environmental Health Specialist III will: Conduct specialized studies, investigations, regular routine field inspections and makes recommendations as to findings; compile information, evaluate present procedures and assist with drafting proposed ordinances, division policies, regulations and guidelines in the area of specialization; may review and make recommendations involving environmental impact reports, and new legislationAssist staff in resolving complex field investigation problems; assist with training new district staff; consult with Supervising Environmental Health Specialists and/or the Program Manager regarding key or emergency situationsPlan and conduct in-service and public education training programs; recommend program goals and assist in the implementation of County-wide sanitation programs; attend and address public meetings, educational conferences and symposiumProvide statistical data, including proper procedures of research methods, such as statistical sampling and analysis, data sources, and collection methods to obtain information on various public health and sanitation programs and problemsInvestigate complaints, research, and respond to citizen inquiriesProvide environmental health database management issue identification, tracking, analysis, and independent resolution developmentParticipate in outreach activities as well as providing educational materialPrepare various reports and maintain manuals, forms, pamphlets, files and other material for division and other governmental agenciesCoordinate work efforts with other Divisions or outside agenciesAssist supervisor or carry out certain duties in the event of their absenceDESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIESThe ideal candidate will possess extensive background within the environmental health field. Under Food and Pool Safety and Plan Check programs, possession of a Food Safety Manager Certificate from an approved organization is highly desirable, but not required. Under Water Quality program, Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification and Cross Connection Control Specialist Certification from American Water Works Association (AWWA) are highly desirable, but not required. Additionally, the ideal candidates will possess extensive knowledge, skills, and abilities that demonstrates 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 with the Model Food CodePerforming difficult field inspections, including compliance and program enforcement work Coordinating investigations with internal and external departments, divisions, or organizationsManaging a district route that consist of Food, Pool and Housing Inspections, and Citizen ComplaintsKnowledge of laws and regulations related to retail food and public swimming pools and spasKnowledge and familiarity of digital plan submission and plan review applicationsKnowledge of principals, regulations, research methods and interactions with other agencies related to Ocean Water Monitoring, Liquid Waste Haulers, California Well Standards, and Water Supply (including State Small Water Systems, Recycled Water and Cross-Connection)Leadership | Teamwork Leading, directing, and efficiently managing correspondencesApplying knowledge from leadership courses, such as Masters of Public Health program Exemplifying a role as an approachable "educator" as opposed to a traditional "regulator"Collaborating and working well with others, specifically working with private industries in a team-like settingInnovative Problem Solving | Attention to Detail | Self-Management Staying apprised of new opportunities, techniques, and approaches related to inspections or environmental healthShowing a high level of care and thoroughness for consistency and accuracy purposesMulti-tasking numerous assignments, following through and meeting deadlines Thinking logically, organizing thoughts, and establishing work priorities to accomplish work efficiently and independently Oral & Written Communication| Presentation | Listening SkillsStrong oral communication skills for public speaking, group discussions, and individual interviewsListening attentively and understanding what is being communicated by staff, the public, and supervisors and managementStrong written communication skills that effectively convey concepts or conclusions when preparing policies, ordinances, or guidelines and/or reportsSPECIAL 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 QUALIFICATIONS Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications as well as the physical, mental, environmental and working conditions for the Environmental Health Specialist III classification.RECRUITMENT PROCESSHuman Resource Services (HRS) will screen all applications and supplemental responses for the minimum qualifications. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step of the selection process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.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:Clickherefor 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 above, please provide your Registration Environmental Health Specialist number and expiration date. 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 one of the following. 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 (REHS) that can be directly related to the knowledge and abilities listed in the 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 two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Health Specialist II with the County of Orange. At least three (3) years of experience as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS). Two (2) years of experience as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) and substituting one (1) year of experience with a master's degree in a related science field (must attach unofficial transcript). 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 Which of the following program(s) are you interested in? Food and Pool Safety Program Plan Check Water Quality Program All Programs 09 Please describe your experience (if any) 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: A clear copy of your certifications must be attached to your application for verification. Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification Cross Connection Control Specialist from American Water Works Association (AWWA) Food Safety Manager Certificate from an approved organization None of the above 11 Please select the option that best describes your experience leading and/or supervising in an Environmental Health setting. Two (2) or more years of experience At least one (1) year, but less than two (2) years of experience Less than one (1) year of experience None of the above Required Question