Environmental Health Specialist II

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the needs of the County are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list and will be used to fill current and future Environmental Health Specialist II vacancies within the Health Care Agency. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the County of Orange.

The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) services areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

The Environmental Health Division is comprised of various programs aimed toward protecting the health and safety of Orange County residents and visitors from harmful conditions in the environment. Staff enforce laws and regulations and emphasize education to assist businesses with providing healthy and safe communities. Services include retail and wholesale food protection, foodborne illness investigations, public pool inspections, childhood lead exposure prevention, water quality, ocean water protection, solid waste facility oversight, hazardous materials surveillance and mitigation oversight, underground and above ground storage tank oversight, body art facility and practitioner oversight, medical waste management inspections and a used oil recycling education program.

Conduct plan review and construction inspection for all retail food facilities and public swimming pools undergoing new construction or remodels throughout the county. These programs work directly with members of the public including owners, architects, and consultants.

This position will assume specialized tasks within the Plan Check Section. The Environmental Health Specialist II will be assigned the tasks of reviewing and approving construction plans and conducting field inspections for food and pool facilities for compliance with sanitation and public health laws. Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting specialized studies, investigations, inspections, and making recommendations as to findings
• Compiling information, evaluating current procedures, and drafting proposed ordinances, division policies, regulations, and guidelines in the area of specialization
• Preparing various reports
• Planning and conducting in-service and public education training programs
• Recommending program goals and assisting in the implementation of County-wide environmental health programs
• Attending and addressing public meetings, educational conferences, and symposiums
• Reviewing and making recommendations involving environmental impact
• Coordinating work efforts with other divisions or outside agencies and assisting supervisors as needed

The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following competencies:

• Understanding and applying new food safety training concepts, such as Oral Culture Learning, Active Managerial Control, and the Food Drug Administration Voluntary Program Standards as well as the Model Food Code
• Knowledge of laws and regulations related to retail food and public swimming pools and spas
• Knowledge and familiarity of digital plan submission and plan review applications
• Applying analytical skills and consistency for accuracy purposes
• Conducting routine field inspections

• Developing, collaborating, and maintaining working relationships and continuously works to improve relationships, contacts, and networks
• Applying knowledge of building rapport, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques
• Using diplomacy when dealing with challenging situations and/or people

• Leading, directing, and efficiently managing correspondences
• Exemplifying a role as an approachable educator as opposed to a traditional regulator
• Sharing responsibility and ownership for group accomplishments and shortcomings
• Facilitating, motivating, and supporting others to achieve a common goal or outcome
• Willingness to learn and adapt to feedback, change, and new information