Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

Job Summary

This position serves as an Environmental Health Specialist for state and local environmental health emergency preparedness programs in a liaison role between the CDPH Center for Environmental Health and local health and environmental health departments. This position works directly with staff in the CDPH Center for Environmental Health and the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH) to develop and deliver environmental health-focused emergency preparedness plans, procedures, and training statewide.

The incumbent uses a risk-based approach for improving preparedness and response capabilities for CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) incidents impacting health and safety. The incumbent serves as a resource for CCDEH leading efforts to develop the statewide Emergency Support Function (ESF
8) Public Health and Medical system and related mutual aid plans and processes. The incumbent works independently or under general guidance, to assist state and local agencies develop/update disaster plans, health and safety guidance, prepares/reviews plans and reports related to emergency preparedness programs, conducts outreach, trainings, delivers presentations, and provides other essential support to local environmental health programs, as needed.

THIS IS A FULLTIME CAREER POSITION WITH A FUNDING RENEWAL DATE OF DECEMBER 2028.

• Certified as Trainer for Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response Operations (EHTER Ops) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Center for Domestic Preparedness.
• Completion of EHTER Ops and eligibility for trainer certification is acceptable.
• Certification in Incident Command System (ICS) at 100, 200, 700 and 800 levels is required.
• Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
• Bachelor's level or higher in environmental health or related health science field.
• At least (5) years of experience at state or local environmental health program.
• Experience spanning a minimum of two years of emergency management including one or more of the following: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
• Experience with emergency planning, exercises and conducting outreach.
• Public Speaking and experience developing and delivering technical training to diverse audiences.
• Strong project management experience including organizational skills to work effectively to achieve timely progress on multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Broad knowledge of emergency management processes, protocols and procedures for Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF
  8) in California critical.
• Broad knowledge of environmental health programs at local-state-federal levels and experience working with senior leadership in cross-sector environmental health work.
• Excellent written communication skills to prepare presentations, guidance documentation, and reports for a variety of audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills to effectively express ideas assertively, clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of general state/local government processes and policies related to Public Health, Environmental Health and Emergency Management.
• Ability to work independently or under general guidance.
• Self-learner and ability to multitask and balance heavy workloads.
• Must have willingness, flexibility and adaptability to shift priorities in rapidly changing situations if needed. Proficiency with internet and software tools including Microsoft Office applications (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access).
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with others to secure necessary information and cooperation from a variety of people.
• Ability to employ sound judgment to solve complex, sensitive environmental public health problems.

• Certification in ICS 300, 400 and Standardized Emergency Management Systems (SEMS) is strongly preferred.
• Master's or higher degree in Environmental Health and / or Registered Environmental Health Specialist credential is highly desired.

• 40% - Local Environmental Health Program Training Coordination/Support
• 40% - Emergency Preparedness Program Development
• 20% - Technical Assistance/Support

This position reports to the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) in the Department of Public Health Sciences. The core activities of COEH are to educate future leaders in occupational and environmental health, develop new knowledge, and bring the resources of the University of California to people affected by health hazards in their workplaces or communities. The Department of Public Health Sciences is a large, complex teaching, research, and clinical department in the UC Davis School of Medicine.

The mission of the Department of Public Health Sciences is to…