Environmental Health Specialist I/II

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department•Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, WA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Onsite Sewage and Drinking Water Resources program within the Environmental Health Division is hiring two regular, full-time Environmental Health Specialists. The position performs plan review, inspections, education and outreach, system notifications, and customer service to enforce state and local regulations. Work includes identifying potential compliance issues and, when needed, collecting samples and other data to investigate possible contamination or violations. Experience with public water systems and individual well and septic system permitting is desirable. This is the third and fourth level in the Environmental Health Specialist series. Employees work semi-independently under the direction of an EHS supervisor or Program Manager, with regular consultation from an EHS III, EHS Supervisor, or Program Manager. Assignments are specific and guided by established procedures. The work may include mentoring technicians, aides, or other environmental health specialists; EHS II employees may also serve as subject matter experts and support staff training. The role involves customer service, regulatory inspections and assessments, complaint investigation, education and consultation, documentation, reporting, and data entry. Work is performed in both office and outdoor settings, with exposure to varied weather, hazardous materials, waste-management facilities, noise, and potentially dissatisfied customers. The position is up to 100% in-person and requires extensive travel within the county, including driving. Inspections may occur after hours or on weekends. Emergency-response duties outside the regular job description may be assigned. The starting hourly wage is $34.41–$36.84, with starting salary decisions based on experience, education, and qualifications. The full hourly salary range is $34.41–$49.98. A comprehensive benefits package includes insurance, retirement plan options, leave accruals, annual cost-of-living salary increases, and employee programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in environmental science, public health, or another related science field; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
EHS I: 0–2 years of experience in environmental health or public health.
EHS II: At least 2 years of experience in an EHS I role or equivalent experience credited at hire, plus Registered Sanitarian (RS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) certification; alternatively, 4 years of experience in an EHS I role or equivalent experience credited at hire and completion of required program-specific certifications or training.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driver’s abstract before employment.
EHS I: Complete required program-specific training within the applicable timeframe.
EHS II: Hold RS/REHS certification, or have 2 additional years of experience in an EHS I role and complete required program-specific certifications or training.
Intermediate knowledge of standard Microsoft Office programs and databases.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws applicable to the work, environmental health principles and practices, and basic math and science as applied to environmental health.
Ability to collect, organize, analyze, compile, record, and assess data; conduct educational outreach; and maintain sensitive and confidential data with discretion.
Effective written and verbal communication, listening, information-gathering, and audience-appropriate communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with the public and colleagues, including dissatisfied or angry individuals, and to apply self-reflection, accountability, adaptability, restorative practices, collaboration, cultural humility, and evidence-informed decision-making.
Ability to meet the stated physical and field-work demands, travel extensively within the county, and operate a vehicle in varied lighting and weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

Experience with public water systems.
Experience with individual well and septic system permitting.

Responsibilities

Provide customer service and explain environmental health topics, applications, permits, fees, codes, and regulatory requirements to the public and industry professionals in person, by phone, and in writing.
Conduct inspections and assessments of permitted facilities, field sites, and regulatory applications to evaluate compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Identify potential environmental hazards and investigate complaints concerning possible compliance violations.
Collect samples and other data, including air, water, soil, or food samples, to investigate contamination and potential violations.
Provide education, consultation, guidance, training, and outreach to communities, businesses, individuals, and other groups on environmental health requirements and practices.
Prepare reports and correspondence; maintain accurate inspection, incident, and data records; enter information into database systems; and potentially provide expert testimony in court.
Provide consultation, guidance, and inspections for temporary events and technical assistance on health and safety regulations.
Create, maintain, and update files, records, statistical reports, narrative reports, and graphical reports.
Operate office and field equipment to collect site samples and data.
Work with program and department staff to cross-train, develop process workflows and documentation, and use technology to improve efficiency and standardize processes.
Participate in administrative hearings and respond to inquiries from consultants, engineers, land-use professionals, and other agencies.
As an EHS II, serve as a subject matter expert and support on-the-job training for new Permit Technician I, Permit Technician II, and Environmental Health Specialist I staff.
Follow workplace and trade safety practices, report unsafe conditions, operate equipment and vehicles safely, and participate in emergency preparedness activities and assigned emergency-response duties.
Participate in the Title XIX Medicaid Claiming Program if required and perform other duties as assigned.