Environmental Health Specialist I

DHRM • Chesapeake, VA

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Health’s Chesapeake Health District is hiring multiple Environmental Health Specialist I/II employees in Food and General Environmental Services. The position is based at the Chesapeake Health Department and requires extensive travel throughout the district. A valid state driver’s license is required to operate a state or personal vehicle for agency business; mileage is reimbursed at the standard rate.

At the EHS I level, employees perform entry-level environmental health duties as trainees, receiving close supervision and guidance while completing formal and on-the-job training. Program areas may include food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, migrant labor camp inspection, and investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees must complete VDH Food training and obtain VDH Standardized in Food credentials within 30 months. EHS I employees move to the EHS II position upon successful completion.

At the EHS II level, employees independently perform environmental health duties at the journey level in areas such as on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, migrant labor camp inspection, and investigation of general environmental complaints. VDH food standardization is required to qualify as an EHS Senior.

Employment is contingent on satisfactory results of required background and reference checks, E-Verify, and other checks or disclosures that may apply to certain positions.

Requirements

• Experience communicating effectively with the public, internal and external partners, and staff; proficiency with basic computer software programs.
• Experience providing professional and courteous service, presenting educational programs to adults, using a customer-service-oriented approach, and working effectively as a team member.
• Time-management skills to meet workload demands.
• Knowledge and/or experience in the assigned program area.
• Experience influencing the behavior of foodservice employees or management.
• Ability to complete Food program training and obtain VDH Standardized in Food credentials within 30 months.
• Valid state driver’s license to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting agency business.
• For EHS II: basic knowledge of biology, epidemiology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics.
• For EHS II: experience interpreting complex federal, state, and local environmental health policies, regulations, and laws.
• For EHS II: oral and written communication skills and ability to deal with the public and resolve conflict in a regulatory setting.
• For EHS II: experience preparing thorough documentation and reports of regulatory activities.
• For EHS II: skill as an educator or trainer of environmental health principles.
• For EHS II: experience interpreting and enforcing laws and regulations governing environmental health programs.
• For EHS II: experience analyzing information and making recommendations; ability to receive, understand, and perform tasks as instructed by a supervisor; and ability to perform physically demanding tasks.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in environmental health, such as experience gained as an Environmental Health Associate.

Responsibilities

• Conduct environmental health duties in assigned program areas, including food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, migrant labor camp inspection, and investigation of general environmental complaints.
• Complete required VDH Food training and obtain VDH Standardized in Food credentials within 30 months.
• At the EHS II level, independently perform environmental health duties at the journey level.
• Communicate with the public, partners, and agency staff; provide services professionally and courteously.
• Present educational programs to adults and influence foodservice employees’ and management’s behavior.
• Prepare thorough documentation and reports of regulatory activities.
• Interpret and enforce laws and regulations governing environmental health programs.
• Analyze information and make recommendations.
• Travel extensively throughout the district to conduct agency business.

Benefits

• 12 paid holidays
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plans, including a 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Sick leave
• Family/personal leave
• Annual leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed