Environmental Health Specialist -II-III - Consumer Protection Programs

Environmental Health Specialist I-II-III - Consumer Protection Programs

County of San Mateo | County of San Mateo | Posted Feb 24, 2026 | Full-time | San Mateo County | Entry (0-2 yrs)

San Mateo County Health's Environmental Health Services Division ensures a safe and healthful environment in the County's 20 cities and unincorporated areas through education, monitoring and enforcement of a variety of regulatory programs, as well as ongoing services to the community. For more information on the Environmental Health Services Division, please visit our website at: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./eh

The Environmental Health Specialist assigned to the Consumer Protection Program will provide services to the County and some local communities, including inspection, consultation, surveys, investigations and enforcement of regulations in activities relating to water, food, waste, housing, public pools and safety.

Your work will have a direct impact on helping the residents of San Mateo County live longer and healthier lives. The education and enforcement work in the food program will prevent food borne illnesses in the community. In addition, the regulatory oversight in our public swimming pool program will ensure a healthy way for the public to recreate as well prevent potential childhood drownings.

You will have the opportunity to navigate complex regulatory environments while addressing the diverse needs of the public, businesses, and government stakeholders—all while making timely, evidence-based decisions that directly impact community health and safety.

• Conduct regular inspections of food, water, housing, industrial, educational, and recreational facilities to ensure compliance with environmental health laws and regulations.
• Provide instruction and guidance to correct violations and carry out enforcement activities as needed.
• Investigate and resolve public complaints related to environmental health concerns.
• Advise and educate business owners, builders, architects, engineers, public officials, and others on the interpretation and application of environmental health laws and requirements.
• Conduct training sessions for employees of restaurants and other establishments in environmental sanitation practices.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports and correspondence.
• Serve as an expert witness in court proceedings when necessary.
• Provide general program support as assigned.
• At the III level, lead research or administer a senior project aimed at enhancing or strengthening a specific component of the environmental health field, and serve as a subject matter resource in that specialty area.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

There are currently three regular vacancies in the Environmental Health Services Division in the Food and Pool Programs. The positions are located in San Mateo, but will travel/drive throughout the County to perform duties of the job.
Fluency in English and Spanish is preferred, but not required.

Environmental Health Specialist I - Possession of a current "Trainee Certification Letter" from the California Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Specialist Registration Program. (

NOTE:

An Environmental Health Specialist Trainee may be employed to work under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist, until he or she is qualified by examination as provided under Section 106670, for a period which shall not exceed three years.)

Environmental Health Specialist II and III - Possession of a California certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS).

For more information on the Registered Environmental Health Specialist Program, please visit the California Department of Public Health website at:

Applicants must attach a copy of current "Trainee Certification Letter" from the California Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Specialist Registration Program OR a copy of current California certificate as Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) when submitting an online application. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• I level ($43.73 - $48.90 /hour): A bachelor's degree which has included a minimum of 30 semester units of basic sciences.
• II level ($51.25 - $64.04 /hour): One year of experience in general inspections and investigations in the environmental health field.
• III level ($54.38 - $67.95 /hour): Two years of journey level experience in environmental health inspections and investigations.

• Principles of biological and physical…