Env Health Specialist II-Public Health

Job Summary

Positions of this class are responsible for protecting the health of citizens by enforcing environmental health rules and regulations in the County’s service area. Employees are usually assigned to one of the following specialized areas: subsurface sewage disposal, retail food establishment, solid and hazardous waste, or water quality. Assists in other environmental health programs as assigned.
Our department values our community’s diversity and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public. Our department also encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

This is a full-time represented hourly position represented by LIUNA Local 335.

This position has the option of a remote/hybrid work schedule possibility. However, the candidate selected must reside in OR or WA. No Exceptions.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

Bachelor of Science degree in environmental health or a closely related area.  Two years successful experience in obtaining compliance with environmental health standards.  Positions assigned to onsite sewage inspection require an Inspector Certificate of Competency.  Registration as a Sanitarian preferred.  Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may be substituted.

Knowledge of:

Standard methods and techniques of inspectional work in environmental sanitation and public health.

Applicable rules and regulations for the specialized areas assigned.

Public relations techniques.

Effective communication techniques, verbally or in writing.

Ability to:

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, supervisors, co-workers and business establishments.

Work independently with limited supervision.

Work outdoors for extended periods under a wide variety of weather conditions.

Interpret and apply applicable rule and regulations in the specialty area assigned.   

Obtain a valid driver’s license. 

Selection Process:
Resumes and other documents must be attached together in the ‘Resume Upload’ section of the application.  Multiple files are allowed, but all applicant attachments must be uploaded simultaneously, as there is no way to edit or append uploaded materials after submitting the application. 

Application Review (Pass/ Fail) – An online application is required.  Attaching a resume does not substitute for a completed application; incomplete applications will not pass the application review.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process. 

Practical Exam (Pass/Fail) – This recruitment may require a practical exam which will be job related and may include, but not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process. 

Examples of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Sewage Disposal:

Gathers scientific information from the site to determine whether or not site is suitable for a septic system.

Operates auger to drill test holes, obtains soil sample, analyses soil sample, and determines if soil characteristics, slope, surface water, and potential ground water sources meet current standards.

Issues or denies on-site sewage disposal permits based on physical data, records, previous site approvals or denials, and other information.

Inspects septic systems during construction and upon completion to determine if construction meets standards. 

Consults with the general public to provide advice or explain conditions regarding the site.

Consults with professionals regarding site characteristics and proper septic system installation.

Reviews plans and specifications of onsite sewage systems for compliance with health standards.

Investigates complaints received from the public concerning sewage disposal and prepares reports.

Retail Food:

Resolves complaints concerning food borne illnesses by interviewing affected individuals, obtaining clinical specimens, collecting food samples, interviewing employees, tracing possible sources of contamination, consulting with state epidemiologist, evaluating findings and writing reports.

Conducts inspections of schools, restaurants, grocery stores, taverns, bakeries, meat markets and other retail food establishments according to assigned schedule. 

Records violations found during inspections, evaluates findings, discusses with owner or manager, and determines correction priorities.

Makes follow-up evaluations and initiates enforcement procedures, if necessary.

Provides information on building requirements for new and remodeled food establishments and answers questions from the public regarding public health requirements for food service establishments. 

Reviews submitted plans for food establishments and conducts pre-opening inspections to see that requirements are met. 

Gives presentations to food service workers and other groups regarding the prevention of food borne illnesses and proper food handling procedures.

Solid and Hazardous Waste:

Conducts inspections of landfills and other solid waste handling and processing sites to monitor ground water, surface water and methane gas.

Collect samples for testing as necessary; Conduct field testing as appropriate

Conducts routine and complaint inspections of solid waste disposal, recycling, transfer station and other solid waste processing facilities.

Develops compliance schedules and issues permits for limited purpose landfills and other solid waste disposal and processing sites.

Reviews and comments on operating, monitoring and closure/post-closure plans for permitted solid waste handling facilities.

Writes reports and letters of compliance determination to landfill and other solid waste facility owner/operators.

Attends meetings to explain or receive information regarding the program.

Makes presentations to community organizations regarding solid and hazardous waste issues.

Water Quality:

Reviews plans and specifications of small public water systems for compliance with health standards.

Conducts on-site inspections to ensure proper materials/equipment are used for the installation and decommissioning of water wells.

Collects water samples and submits to laboratory for analysis.

Evaluates water sources for compliance with health standards for adequacy of proposed use.

Reviews all plans and specifications for new swimming pools to ensure compliance with health standards.

Conducts inspections of limited and general use swimming pools, wading pools and spas according to assigned schedule.

Evaluates natural bathing beaches to assure that water quality and bather safety meet health standards.

Miscellaneous:

Follows up on nuisance complaints.

Conducts field inspections, writes reports and obtains compliance with regulations.

Works with medical personnel and veterinarians on communicable disease investigations and packages and ships specimens for analysis.

Reviews plans and specifications for new schools and conducts routine inspections and complaint investigations as assigned.

Provides information and direction to the general public in the event of a natural disaster, bioterrorism event, or other public health emergency.

Salary Grade

Local 335.9A

Salary Range

$30.44 – $43.61- per hour

Close Date

04/1/2025

Recruiter

Irene Catherine Chrest

Email:

Irene.Chrest@clark.wa.gov

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at http://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Employee Benefits and additional compensation

Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation.  Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation.  More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/employee-benefits. Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Retirement Information

All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice. 
 

For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site here: http://www.drs.wa.gov/

If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388.