Environmental Health Specialists

Title: Environmental Health Specialists

State Role

Title:

Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $45,114.00 - $46,092.50

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: VIRGINIA BEACH HQ

Agency Website: jobs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Beach Health District is seeking two Environmental Health Specialists who have a special interest in the areas of 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. You will acquire hands‑on experience in Public Health and play an active role in implementing meaningful initiatives to improve the environment.

This Position will focus on Program Support, Environmental Health, Environmental Health Complaints.

Program Support

• In consultation with EH Supervisor/EHS Sr. assures that all elements of program are conducted according to VDH regulations, state and local policies.
• Implements/promotes quality assurance plans by complying with all applicable agency standards established by regulation and policy.
• In consultation with EHS Sr. and EH Supervisor, responds to reports using epidemiological research (interviews, case histories, sample collection), on-site evaluation, field testing, interpretation of laboratory results.

Environmental Health

• In consultation with EHS Sr. may perform the following EH duties:
  • Food related field duties, as required, to ensure state and local mandates are met; records, submits and updates establishment profile and risk data; issues permits and monitors permit status; conducts plan reviews for new and existing facilities.
  • Protects public health from disease transmission and groundwater pollution associated with raw or partially treated sewage by ensuring the proper location, evaluation, design and construction, and operation and maintenance of Sewage Disposal Systems and Private Wells.
  • Prevents human illness and disease transmission from rabies; understands the virus; comprehends and implements the Virginia Guidelines for Rabies Prevention and Control and all other applicable laws, regulations and policies.
  • Monitors swimming pools, child and adult care facilities, hotels and motels and migrant labor camps.
• Documents observations and corrective actions on the appropriate inspection report.
• Conducts EH sanitary inspections upon request.

Environmental Health Complaints

• Conducts general environmental complaint investigations for assigned program area(s) with follow‑up enforcement action taken when necessary.
• Responds to environmental complaints to include but not limited to rodents, insects and general environmental concerns.
• Achieves resolution of complaints within reasonable timeframe.

• The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a 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.
• Time management skills necessary in order 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.

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