Environmental Health Specialist I​/II

• Performing health and safety inspections at food facilities, public pools, and body art establishments
• Sampling recreational water bodies and posting health advisories
• Communicating the principals of hygiene, communicable disease, and sanitation to business operators and the public
• Responding to consumer complaints related to environmental health

100 H Street
Eureka, CA 95501

Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm

Under general supervision (I) or direction (II), performs professional work involved in the inspection and enforcement of an assigned environmental health program area. Program areas include, but are not limited to, consumer protection, hazardous materials, emergency response, drinking water sanitation, solid waste disposal, wastewater disposal, land use and vector control; interprets, implements, and enforces federal, state, and local codes as they pertain to environmental health programs;

provides education, technical consultations and assistance; and performs related duties as assigned.

Receives general supervision (Environmental Health Specialist I or “EHS Trainee”) or direction (Environmental Health Specialist II) from program leaders or assigned supervisory and management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Environment Health Specialist I: This is the entry-level, non-registered classification in the professional Environment Health Specialist series as described by California Health & Safety Code (HSC) section 106615(d), as an “Environmental health specialist trainee”. Within the first three years of employment, in California as a trainee, an EHS I must complete the basic training and educational requirements outlined in the California Department of Public Health evaluation letter and pass the REHS exam in accordance with HSC section 106625.

In addition, under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine environmental inspection and enforcement duties. While working toward a State of California Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist, and as experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.

Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Environmental Health Specialist II
:
This is the journey-level registered classification in the professional Environment Health Specialist series. Positions at this level are required to possess a Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification issued by the State of California and are fully competent to perform the full range of environmental inspection and enforcement duties, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of, and expected to work within, the bounds of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Environmental Health Specialist in that the latter is the program lead which performs the most complex and specialized inspection and enforcement duties. At the Senior level,…