Environmental Health Spec II

County of Thurston•Olympia, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for an Environmental Health Specialist II for our Environmental Health Division. As an Environmental Health Specialist II, you will play a vital role in creating healthier communities by initiating and analyzing environmental health practices and policies to interpret and enforce health codes and laws. In this role, you will provide education and enforcement in specific health programs in order to improve conditions that might otherwise lead to pollution and/or disease transmission. Whether inspecting food facilities, investigating pollution complaints, responding to environmental emergencies, or guiding community health initiatives, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to creating a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable environment. If you are passionate about protecting the environment and public health, we would love to hear from you!

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in environmental health, biology, bacteriology, or a related field.
Three years of professional environmental health work experience requiring extensive public contact.
Experience must include three of the following program areas: sewage, food, water, vector control, epidemiology, solid waste, and hazardous waste; demonstrated ability to perform as a lead special projects manager within a single program area.
Current Washington State Driver's License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
Ability to utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval and tracking.

Nice To Haves

May be required to posses a professional certification applicable to area of assignment (eg, Hydrogeologist, Waste Water Treatment System Inspection Certificate of Competency, Qualified Sanitary Surveyor, etc.).
Must be recognized by the Washington State Sanitarian Registration Board as Registered Sanitarian within eighteen months of the date of hire.
Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of environmental health science, biology, epidemiology, hydrology, and soils science
Knowledge of on-site sewage disposal systems, water chemistry, water systems, industrial hygiene, retail food handling equipment and procedures, and swimming pool equipment and safety
Knowledge of Environmental Health Codes and related federal and state laws and regulations
Ability to interpret and enforce complex regulations
Excellent ability to use measuring devices, testing equipment and a variety of software programs
Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
Strong customer service orientation and the ability to work well independently and as part of a team
Ability to exercise skill and judgment in dealing tactfully with the public while educating and maintaining good public relations
Ability to compile and maintain complete and accurate records
Respect and Organizational Culture Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment
Communication Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors
Goal Setting and Accomplishment Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity
Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change

Responsibilities

Surveillance, enforcement, and public education of health and sanitary programs such as food establishments, schools, swimming pools, vector control epidemiology, lead, and noise control
Review applications and plans for new or existing food service establishment or water recreational facilities, and advising applicants of Health Code requirements, application procedures, and document requirements
Issue, withhold, or withdraw licenses and permits based on an analysis and evaluation of proposed or existing health-related systems and/or practices
Perform inspections of food and drinking establishments, grocery stores, and water recreational facilities to ensure that personnel, facilities, equipment and foods are clean, safe, sanitary, and in compliance with the Health Codes; Notes, evaluates, and explains deficiencies, and takes corrective action or enforcement action when needed
Conduct swimming pool, hot tub, and bathing beach inspections to ensure safe and sanitary operation and compliance with the Health Code
Investigate, sample, evaluate, and act upon public complaints of conditions involving pollution, disease, illness, and water or food contamination
Present public education courses on healthy and safe food handling, swimming pool and food service practices
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. This includes emergency preparedness training and exercises, relevant to the work expectations of duties during emergencies.