CUPA

Ventura County•Ventura, CA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under immediate supervision (Environmental Health Specialist I), general supervision (Environmental Health Specialist II), or general direction (Environmental Health Specialist III), performs progressively complex professional environmental health activities involving investigation, inspection, data collection and analysis, enforcement action, report preparation, and public contact; assists in environmental health program administration; and performs related duties as required. There are four levels (I-IV) in the Environmental Health Specialist series. Each level performs increasingly responsible public contact; interaction with public and private entities; conflict resolution; and a wider range of environmental health projects at a higher level of complexity (i.e., understanding concepts relating to environmental, biological, water, wastewater, etc.). Those at the Environmental Health Specialist IV level may act as project team leaders and program coordinators. Each succeeding step in the job series is expected to function at a higher level of individual initiative, creativity, self-direction, and independent judgment.

Requirements

Some experience in environmental health which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities (for EHS I).
Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in environmental health science or a related field (for EHS I).
Some experience in environmental health that has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities (for EHS II).
Completion of a bachelor’s degree in environmental health science or a related field AND one (1) or more years of progressively responsible environmental health experience (for EHS II).
Considerable experience in environmental health that has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities (for EHS III).
Completion of a Bachelor degree in environmental health science or a related field and three (3) or more years of progressively responsible environmental health experience (for EHS III).
Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a valid California driver’s license at the time of appointment.
Must be willing and able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays throughout Ventura County including the Simi Valley office may be required on occasion.
California UST Inspector certification issued by International Code Council must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.
Must pass an Above Ground Petroleum Storage Tank Act course and exam approved by the California Office of State Fire Marshal within six (6) months of hire.
Chemistry, microbiology, and environmental health science.
Techniques of urban and regional water and land use planning.
State, federal, local laws and regulations relating to environmental health programs and functions, such as above ground and underground storage tanks.
Federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to hazardous waste and hazardous materials.
Leaking Underground Fuel Tank Program requires some knowledge of geology and hydrology.
Environmental research and statistical methods.
Field tests and analytical procedures within hazardous material program areas.
Interagency relationships.
Investigative techniques.
Sample collection.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and staff of other agencies.
Perform inspections at various facilities and properties.
Solve problems at increasingly complex levels.
Speak and write clearly and concisely.
Collect, analyze, and interpret data.
Formulate recommendations.
Prepare technical reports.
Provide information and coordinate environmental health efforts.
Coordinate projects and programs.
Train staff.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in environmental health or a related field, and/or registration as a REHS in California may each substitute for one (1) year of experience (for EHS II/III).
Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) from the State of California Department of Public Health.
Experience conducting audits or inspections to determine compliance with hazardous waste, hazardous materials, or underground storage tank laws and regulations.
Three (3) or more years of experience in Environmental Health

Responsibilities

Drives to and performs inspections at various facilities and properties to ensure compliance with applicable state laws and county ordinance code sections related to hazardous materials, hazardous waste, underground storage tanks, and above-ground petroleum storage tanks.
Researches, compiles, synthesizes, analyzes, and interprets hazardous material information and data submitted through the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) in order to meet environmental health objectives.
Coordinates environmental health projects, defines problems and alternative solutions, and sets objectives.
Prepares written reports and makes recommendations for the completion of environmental health projects.
Conducts field investigations and complaint investigations of various sites in order to gain first-hand knowledge of the location under study.
May participate in enforcement activities, which include civil or criminal cases, and may involve the issuance of citations, report writing, collection of evidence, and court appearances.
If assigned to the Hazardous Materials emergency response team, may be required to respond to emergency incidents involving hazardous materials.
Coordinates and/or negotiates with other individuals, developers, groups, sections, divisions, departments, and agencies on various technical or legal aspects of environmental programs, some of which may be controversial or politically sensitive.
Makes oral presentations to public groups and governmental bodies to explain and clarify environmental health reports and recommendations.
Provides general information to the public in response to questions about projects, environmental health programs, applicable ordinances, policies, and procedures related to the Hazardous Materials, Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA).
Performs other duties as required.

Benefits

General Salary Increase –3.5% effective December 20, 2026, and December 19, 2027.
Educational Incentive – An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor’s degree, or 5.0% for completion of a graduate degree.
Underground Storage Tank Inspector Certification Incentive – Regular employees in the classifications of RMA Technician II, III, or Environmental Health Specialists II, III, IV, or Supervising Environmental Health Specialist, who are assigned to the Hazardous Materials Program and who have a California UST Inspector Certification from the International Code Council and certification for APSA by the Office of State Fire Marshall may be eligible for a $1.56 hourly premium pay, up to 80 hours per bi-weekly pay period, in addition to their base pay.
Environmental Health On-Call Pay – Environmental Health Employees in classifications of Environmental Health Specialist II-IV or Supervising Environmental Health Specialist who are assigned by the Director-RMA or his/her designee may be eligible for a bi-weekly premium of $389.76.
Merit Increases – New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
Bilingual Incentive – Proficiency levels by exam are $0.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
Sick Leave – Full-time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
Vacation Accruals – New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation per year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 20 years of service, topping out at 26 days per year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
Vacation Redemption – After 10,400 hours of continuous County service (approximately five (5) years), an employee may elect to “cash in” or redeem up to 120 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
Deferred Compensation – Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
Health Plans – Full-time regular employees are provided an annual flexible credit allowance of up to $26,626.96 to help offset the purchase of medical insurance for themselves and their eligible dependents. Employee only – $463.99 per biweekly pay period. Employee plus one dependent – $834.32 per biweekly pay period. Employee plus family – $1,024.11 per biweekly pay period.
Flexible Spending Accounts – Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increases spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
Pension Plan – Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as CalPERS.
Holidays – 13 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program
Life Insurance
Wellness Program