Environmental Health Specialist II

We are seeking an Environmental Health Specialist II to join the Department of Health Services and help advance the health and safety of Sonoma County!

Starting salary up to $60.53/hour ($126,333/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

The Department of Health Services is currently recruiting to fill one full-time Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) position at either the Trainee, I, or II level. If you are interested in being considered at the different levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitments being conducted for each level.

We're looking for a motivated individual to join our team as an Environmental Health Specialist II who wants to advance their career in Environmental Health. This role is vital to protecting public health, serving the community, and supporting the functions of the Environmental Health Section. As an Environmental Health Specialist II, you will:

• Perform inspections and investigations across a wide range of programs, including but not limited to: Food Facilities, Recreational Facilities, Cannabis Facilities, Medical Waste Facilities, Water Systems, Beach monitoring, Solid Waste, Body Art, Childhood Lead Prevention, Storm Water, Organized Camps, Detention Facilities, and Disaster Preparedness
• Ensure compliance with County and State health and safety regulations through routine inspections, complaint responses, documentation, enforcement actions, and public education
• Prepare thorough inspection reports, interpret relevant health codes, and communicate findings and corrective actions to stakeholders
• Interact regularly with the public, businesses, and regulatory partners, often providing guidance and support in diverse environments
• Be a subject matter expert for the work of the program they are assigned to

• Experience with sanitation science, public health principles, and relevant environmental health laws and regulations

• The ability to adapt to an evolving public health landscape and perform a broad range of functions to meet Departmental operational needs

• Experience identifying potential issues, researching these issues, preparing supporting documentation, and presenting these observations accurately and effectively

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and general computer skills

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, documentation, and presentations

• The ability to think critically, research regulatory issues, and analyze field findings

• A strong sense of empathy for the clients you will work with

• The ability to build collaborative relationships with a diverse community, team members, and partner agencies

Work is primarily performed Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends to inspect temporary events or respond to complaints. Many inspections are outdoors and require working in varying environmental conditions, including beaches, waste sites, and food service facilities.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals and 12 paid holidays
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Engineers and Scientists of California Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill an Environmental Health Specialist II position in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Experience and Education: Any combination of education, training, and experience that would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities stated herein. Normally, this would include graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in environmental health science, biology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, or related subjects, as required by state law, and one year of working level professional experience in the field of environmental health and safety regulation and enforcement (e.g. working as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, a Registered Sanitarian, an Environmental Sanitarian, a Public Health Sanitarian, a Certified Environmental Health Professional, or as an equivalently recognized professional).

License: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist as required by the State of California's Health and Safety Code.

Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required, depending upon assignment, to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Considerable knowledge of: sanitation science, requirements and procedures and the methods and procedures used in inspecting, investigating and correcting unsanitary conditions; federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental health and safety; principles and practices of public health.

Working knowledge of: principles of general chemistry, physics, microbiology and biology; environmental research and statistical methods; methods of gathering and analyzing data; basic building construction materials and principles relating to environmental health requirements.

Knowledge of: hazardous materials management and emergency response protocols.

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; prepare and maintain comprehensive reports and records; communicate verbal and written ideas clearly and logically; establish and maintain effective relationships with other governmental officials, the public and administrative and professional personnel.