Environmental Health Specialist II

The salary for this position is: $5,959.00 - $7,926.00 monthly

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for an
Environmental Health Specialist II for our
Environmental Health Division.

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County's local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community.

As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.

As the Environmental Health Specialist II
- Water Pollution Identification & Correction Lead, you will work daily to ensure that: streams and marine shorelines discharges/outfalls that are determined to be failing the state water quality standard for

E. coli bacteria are segmented and intensively sampled to locate polluted segments, and then conduct door-to-door investigations to work with area residents to identify and correct sources. You will also conduct door-to-door sanitary surveys in our project areas to provide education on proper septic system maintenance, use of fertilizers, animal waste management, etc. You will also respond to public complaints regarding failing septic systems, poor animal waste management practices, etc.,

and work closely with the property owner/occupant to correct any problems you identify.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Investigate, sample, evaluate, and act upon public complaints of conditions involving pollution, disease, illness, or contamination.
• Conduct environmental studies by gathering, evaluating and reporting on data.
• Manage and analyze data.
• Serve as project lead in one or more program areas; provide technical expertise to program staff and community partners and provide project recommendations and guidance.
• Work with other water quality staff to ensure monitoring and data meet high standards.
• Conduct sanitary surveys and dye tests on-site sewage systems.
• Maintain rigorous quality assurance/quality control standards.
• Document inspection results and prepare documentation needed for enforcement action for failing septic systems.
• Offer technical support and education to the public.
• Work with property owners and residents to correct conditions on their site that contribute to or have the potential to contribute to pollution.
• Conduct water quality monitoring in lakes, streams, groundwater, and marine waters.
• Interpret laws and policies, assist with program development, draft policies, and make recommendations for consideration by department management and the Thurston County Board of Health.
• Write technical reports.
• Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations.

To view the full job classification, :
Class Specifications | Environmental Health Specialist II | Class Spec Details

• Work Environment
  - Quiet office setting in Olympia, Washington
• Schedule
  - Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working
• Travel Requirements
  - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings
• Customer Interactions
  - Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community.

As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the…