Environmental Health Specialist Trainee

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE  RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED WEEKLY UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED

SKILLS OR EXPERIENCES LISTED UNDER THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

STATEMENT MAY ALSO BE USED TO SCREEN APPLICATIONS

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING 

POSSESSION OF A VALID CALIFORNIA DRIVER’S LICENSE

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST TRAINEE: POSSESSION OF A CURRENT EVALUATION LETTER FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (stating that the education qualifications specified in Section 106660 (formally Section 521) of the Health and Safety Code have been completed.) 

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST: POSSESSION OF A VALID CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST ISSUED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: CONTINUOUS

SALARY INFORMATION
 
Environmental Health Specialist Trainee: $4,478 - $5,715 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $25.83 - $32.97 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*
 
Environmental Health Specialist: $5,184 - $6,616 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $29.90 - $38.17 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*
 
*Please refer to the appropriate Bargaining Unit Memorandum of Understanding for potential future salary increases* Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous.

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY
 
Shasta County, the jewel of upstate California, offers a lifestyle that blends the best of rural and urban features, offering all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere.  Local rivers, lakes, and mountains offer an abundance of recreational opportunities. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
 
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
 
The Department of Resource Management consists of Air Quality Management District, Building, Environmental Health, and Planning Divisions. Through its four Divisions and the Community Education Section, the Department of Resource Management supplies the public with a variety of important services and information. This multi-faceted commitment is designed to assist County residents in many of their daily activities. Many of the functions of the DRM support the economic activities of the County, promote the health of its residents, and protect the natural environment in which these functions take place.
 
THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION: 
The Environmental Health Division (EHD) is charged with the responsibility of enforcing pertinent California health laws, rules, regulations, and Shasta County Ordinances to protect public health, safety, and the environment. The EHD provides specific permit and inspection programs which involve sewage disposal, individual wells, solid waste, hazardous material storage and disclosure, underground tanks, food service facilities, public drinking water systems, swimming pools, housing and institutions, and medical waste management. Environmental Health Division's responsibility covers Shasta County as well as the three incorporated cities within the County.
 
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Environmental Health Specialist/ Trainee is a hybrid position offering time in the office and out in the field building relationships with local business owners, event coordinators and economic developers. Acting as the first line of defense for the community by protecting the health of family, friends, and neighbors this position keeps Shasta County thriving by empowering residents with resources and information. The EHD is team oriented with a collaborative and progressive culture that is invested in employee career growth with supportive, top-level field experts (10-30 years of experience) ready to provide one-one mentorship. Departmental assistance is available for credentialing and continuing education. Position advancement from the Trainee classification upon receiving a certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California Department of Public Health. The EHD values work-life balance, this position offers the opportunity to acquire comp-time to utilize in addition to 10 annual paid holidays, 1 Floating Holiday, PTO, and sick time.
 
Environmental Health Specialist Trainee: Under close supervision, to learn to perform investigations and inspections relating to the enforcement of environmental health laws and regulations; and to do related work as required.  
 
Environmental Health Specialist: Under general supervision, to perform investigations and inspections relating to the enforcement of environmental health laws and regulations; and to perform related work as required.
 
IDEAL CANDIDATE
 
The ideal candidate will understand and apply local, State and Federal laws and regulations related to Environmental Health Programs and/or the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Program Elements. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of and experience conducting environmental health inspections obtained through employment as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist or employment/ internship as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee. Excellent written, verbal, and public interaction communications skills are essential. In addition, the ideal candidate must value and ensure the importance of accountability, quality assurance, and continuous improvement and desire to contribute to a positive work environment that fosters motivation, collaboration, coaching, and staff engagement.
 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
 
Environmental Health Specialist Trainee: This is the entry level professional class in the Environmental Health Specialist series and incumbents under close supervision learn to perform all types of environmental health inspections.
 
Environmental Health Specialist: This is the journey level professional class of the Environmental Health Specialist series and incumbents are required to perform a full range of environmental health inspections.
 

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Environmental Health Specialist Trainee: Under direction, learns environmental health programs, functions, procedures, policies and standards for regulatory programs including, but not limited to, the following: Food Facilities, Public Pools/Spas, Hotels/Motels, Body Art, Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Wells, Public Drinking Water Systems, Solid Waste Disposal, and Hazardous Materials Storage; learns methods of conducting inspections and investigations to determine compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards in the area of environmental health, including techniques for associated report writing; learns methods and principles of enforcement of these laws; learns evidence, sample and information collection techniques; learns to gather, organize and analyze technical data and prepare appropriate reports utilizing computers and computing software programs; learns to prepare and maintain specialized records; assists Registered Environmental Health Specialists in the performance of their professional duties.

Environmental Health Specialist: Conducts inspections, investigations and surveys of Food Facilities, Public Pools/Spas, Hotels/Motels, Body Art Facilities, Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Wells, Public Drinking Water Systems, Solid Waste Disposal/Transfer Facilities, and Hazardous Materials Storage Facilities; Issues written notices regarding the compliance and enforcement of applicable laws and regulations; Collects evidence or samples as needed to verify compliance with requirements or as part of investigation or enforcement action; Provides consultation during hazardous waste spills or other emergency health incidents; Appears as a witness in legal proceedings relating to the enforcement of environmental health laws; Prepares reports and correspondence; Assists in the training of Environmental Health Specialist Trainees.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Environmental Health Specialist Trainee: 

Knowledge of: Basic principles of physical, biological, and social sciences used in environmental quality control.

Ability to: Learn and apply provisions of the Health and Safety Code; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others; prepare clear and concise reports.

These standards are typically attained with possession of a bachelor's degree, including at least 30 semester units of basic sciences from an approved educational institution.

Environmental Health Specialist:

Knowledge of: Basic principles of physical, biological, and social sciences used in environmental quality control; functions and operation of related agencies and community organizations; state and local laws and regulations governing public health sanitation and public health safety; penal code provisions relating to public health nuisances; methods and techniques of investigation, inspecting, and resolving unsanitary conditions; environmental research and statistical methods; general principles and practices of environmental health and sanitation.

Ability to: Plan, organize and carry out research, analyze and evaluate data, and make recommendations based on findings; detect unsanitary conditions and public health hazards and secure their correction through education, voluntary compliance, or legal enforcement; instruct in the methods and procedures of sanitary inspection and correction of unsanitary conditions; apply knowledge of a specialized and complex nature; interpret public health needs and goals to others; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others; prepare clear and concise reports.

 SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Possession of an appropriate valid California driver's license.

 Environmental Health Specialist Trainee: 

• Possession of a current evaluation letter from the California Department of Public Health, stating that the education qualifications specified in Section 106660 (formally Section 521) of the Health and Safety Code have been completed.
• Applicant must pass registration examination within 36 months of the date of employment or else be terminated from the class.

Environmental Health Specialist:

• Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California Department of Public Health.

  SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
 
Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.
 
1. I acknowledge this position requires a valid California driver’s license? Yes__No___
 
2. For Environmental Health Specialist Trainee, have you attached a current evaluation letter from the California Department of Public Health, stating that the education qualifications specified in Section 106660 (formally Section 521) of the Health and Safety Code have been completed? Yes___No___
 
3. For Environmental Health Specialist, have you attached a copy of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California Department of Public Health? Yes__No___
 
4. Please describe in detail (including positions held, dates, and duties) any experience you have conducting regulatory compliance inspections.  

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Employee may be required to wear a respirator or self-contained breathing apparatus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may need to wear protective clothing including an encapsulating chemical protective suit. Employee must have a driver=s license, may need commercial license (a physical is required for commercial license).

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, and risk of electrical shock.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. 

The employee may be exposed to snakes, bees, poison oak, and other allergens. 

The exposure categories may be different if employee responds to drug lab or hazardous waste disposal situations.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing.
• Shasta County participates in E-Verify. For more information visit https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPoster.pdf (Download PDF reader). If you do not have internet access, contact Personnel at (530) 225-5515 to request a flyer.
• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the United Public Employees of California –Professional Unit.  Employees in this classification are covered under the CalPERS retirement program. Depending on the provisions of the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and other applicable laws, an employee in this classification will be covered under one of the following CalPERS retirement formulas: (1) 2% at 55, (2) 2% at 60, or (3) 2% at 62. An employee in this classification will also contribute up to 8.5%  of his/her pay to this plan or will contribute such other amount to the plan as authorized by PEPRA and other applicable laws. Please visit our employees benefit page at https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/employee-benefits for additional information regarding benefits and CalPERS coverage information. The provisions in this flyer and on the County’s website are for information purposes only. To the extent the provisions of the flyer or the County’s website are inconsistent with PEPRA and other applicable laws, PEPRA and other applicable laws shall govern.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until the position is filled. A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 
 
Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 
 
Veterans' Credit: Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran MUST provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) WITH THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION.

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515

Agency

County of Shasta

Address

1450 Court Street, Suite 348

Redding, California, 96001

Phone

(530) 225-5515
 

Website

http://www.co.shasta.ca.us/index/support_index/personnel.aspx