Environmental Health Specialist III

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2026.

This recruitment is for Level III.
There are currently positions in the Consumer Protection Program.

FLSA:
Non-Exempt

Under direction, performs the most difficult and complex professional work related to the inspection and enforcement of an assigned environmental health program; program areas include, but are not limited to, consumer protection, drinking water sanitation, solid waste disposal, wastewater disposal, and land use; serves as the technical expert and program lead in assigned program area(s), which includes responsibility for program oversight and frequent interaction with applicable oversight agencies;

interprets and enforces federal, state, and local statutes as they pertain to environmental management programs; promotes public health through inspection, permitting and enforcement; assists with planning and implementing new or specialized programs and obtaining grant funding; and performs related duties as assigned.

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

This is the advanced journey-level classification in the Environmental Health Specialist series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series, including program oversight. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgement. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgement to perform assigned duties. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver services.

Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness and conformity to policy and requirements.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Environmental Health Specialist in that the latter is the advanced journey-level class responsible for providing technical and functional direction over lower-level staff, whereas the former serves as a technical expert over an assigned program(s).

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Monitors, coordinates, and leads the inspection and enforcement activities of a specific environmental health program; performs complex and specialized regulation and enforcement of health and safety laws, rules, and regulations; interprets the more specialized regulations, rules, and policies related to the assigned program area.
• Serves as the technical program expert within an assigned program area including, but not limited to, reviewing and commenting on environmental documents for conformance with codes and regulations; providing guidance on permitting and regulations for related program area; and coordinating division operations with external organizations including law enforcement or oversight agencies.
• Assists management in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, codes and regulations.
• Reviews and analyzes legislation and state and federal regulations and guidelines pertaining to assigned program area; confers with management staff to discuss the impact of changes in regulations; recommends and coordinates any revisions or changes to policy and procedures in response to changes in regulations.
• Conducts investigations and inspections on the most complex complaints for consumer protection, drinking water sanitation, septic systems, solid waste, and land use; ensures compliance with regulations; issues citations for violations of public health and environmental laws and regulations.
• Serves as a liaison between regulated agencies and oversight agencies; attends and participates in meetings and maintains frequent communication with local, state, and federal oversight agencies; assists regulated agencies with implementing new laws and regulations; and ensures compliance with same.
• Assists regulated agencies in obtaining additional funding; pursues grant funded opportunities or provides information related to grant opportunities to agencies; prepares and maintains reports related to grant funding and grant related activities.
• Provides guidance to contractors, developers, the general public, and the regulated community related to permitting and regulatory compliance; performs plan reviews; issues permits; and performs site checks and final checks.
• Conducts inspections and monitors ongoing operations of assigned program(s) for conformance with applicable codes and regulations; issues citations for violations of public health and environmental laws and…