Environmental Health Specialist I

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Richmond, VA

3d•$45,800 - $48,683•Hybrid

About The Position

The Western Tidewater Health District is seeking a qualified Environmental Health Specialist who will primarily work in the food safety and tourist establishment programs. The district services the City of Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Southampton County, and The City of Franklin. This is a multi-hire recruitment. The positions will be based in the Suffolk and Southampton Count Health Departments. We are seeking a highly motivated employee to join a team of professionals committed to providing Environmental Health protection within the Western Tidewater Health District. The successful candidate will be self-motivated and able to work independently by scheduling inspections and providing oversight and compliance of all assigned facilities. Must be able to communicate effectively and positively with customers and team members. Environmental health duties are performed at the entry level as a trainee. Employees are typically new hires in formal and on-the-job training in one or more areas such as food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, and migrant labor camp inspection, classification of shellfish growing areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees receive close supervision and guidance. Must be able to complete the applicable training in the VDH Food program and be able to obtain VDH Standardization in Food within 18 months: Employees are then moved to the Environmental Health Specialist II position upon successful completion. Duties for this opening include: Inspection, enforcement, investigation, and implementation of regulations in all areas of environmental health. Provide oversight and direct service to food establishments, migrant labor camps, campgrounds, hotels, daycares, marinas, their owners, and their patrons. This position will inspect approximately 100 - 120 food establishments in addition to campgrounds, hotels, and district-wide temporary events. This position will perform rabies investigations. This position will also respond to general environmental complaints and emergency response situations. Enforcement activities are carried out under close supervision, pending completion of required knowledge, skill and abilities training and certification. Work assignments may be narrow or broad and may require travel to other district offices and occasional weekend duties.

Requirements

Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs
Time management skills necessary in order to meet workload demands
Knowledge and/experience in assigned program area
Ability to influence behavior of foodservice employees/management, provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member
Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) or National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector
A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency

Nice To Haves

Graduation from college with a degree related to the duties of the position preferred or equivalent experience in environmental health, such as experience gained as an Environmental Health Associate

Responsibilities

Inspection, enforcement, investigation, and implementation of regulations in all areas of environmental health.
Provide oversight and direct service to food establishments, migrant labor camps, campgrounds, hotels, daycares, marinas, their owners, and their patrons.
Inspect approximately 100 - 120 food establishments in addition to campgrounds, hotels, and district-wide temporary events.
Perform rabies investigations.
Respond to general environmental complaints and emergency response situations.