Environmental Health Specialist - Food EHS

Title: Environmental Health Specialist

State Role

Title:

Environmental Health Specialists

Hiring Range: $45,114.00 - $47,096.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: RAPPAHANNOCK-FREDERICKSBURG

Agency Website: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Performs environmental health duties at the entry level as a trainee. Employees are typically new hires in formal and on‑the‑job training in one or more areas such as food sanitation, on‑site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, and migrant labor camp inspection, classification of shellfish growing areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees receive close supervision and guidance.

Must be able to complete the applicable training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE), and National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector. Employees are moved to the Environmental Health Specialist Senior position upon successful completion.

This is an entry‑level trainee role designed for individuals beginning their careers in environmental health. Employees receive both formal and on‑the‑job training in areas such as:

• Food sanitation inspections
• Sanitary inspections
• Swimming pool inspections
• Rabies abatement and response support (including office‑based case assistance after training)
• Communicable disease investigations
• Plan reviews for new construction and remodels of VDH‑regulated facilities
• Investigation of general environmental health complaints
• Administrative and customer service support (answering phones, assisting walk‑in customers, taking payments, and writing receipts)
• Participation in community outreach and community events
• Occasional weekend work will be required to support temporary food establishments and special events
• Providing coverage or assistance for additional duties across Environmental Health and other district programs as operational needs arise, with appropriate training and supervision provided

Staff will receive appropriate training for all assigned duties, with work performed under close supervision and continuous guidance and mentorship.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401(a) Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan), as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

• Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs
• Ability to provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer‑service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member
• Time management skills necessary to meet workload demands
• Knowledge and/experience in assigned program area
• Ability to influence behavior of food service employees/management, provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer‑service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member
• Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) or National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector
• A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency

• Experience in environmental health, such as experience gained as an Environmental Health Associate

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is…