Environmental Health Specialist

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Louisa, VA

About The Position

The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) is seeking to hire an Environmental Health Specialist for the Food Safety program. BRHD is one of 35 health districts within the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). We encompass the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson along with the City of Charlottesville and serve over 250,000 people. This position will be based in our Louisa Office. Are you passionate about public health? The Blue Ridge Health District's (BRHD) Environmental Health team is looking for a dedicated and innovative environmental health professional with significant food safety experience, to support both VDH's and BRHD's initiatives and mission. The BRHD, which includes the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson, as well as the City of Charlottesville, is at the forefront in accomplishing the VDH mission "to protect the health and promote the well-being of all people of Virginia." We accomplish this through collaboration and strategic initiatives with both our state and local community partners. If you are passionate about public health and the environmental health needs of your community, we want to hear from you! The purpose of the position is to provide direct service to owners and patrons of regulated food service establishments, including both permitting and inspections. It supports the objectives of the VDH strategic plan to inspect 100% of all food service facilities on an annual basis (minimum frequency), as well as temporary event permitting and inspections. Additional duties of the position include animal exposure (rabies) investigations, inspections of pools, tourist establishments, migrant camps and general environmental investigations. The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Requirements

Basic knowledge of biology, epidemiology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics
Ability to interpret complex federal, state and local environmental health policies, regulations, and laws
Skill in communication, both oral and written; ability to deal with the public and resolve conflict in a regulatory setting
Experience preparing thorough documentation and reports of regulatory activities
Skill as an educator/trainer of environmental health principles
Ability to interpret and enforce laws and regulations governing environmental health programs
Ability to analyze information and make recommendations; to receive, understand and perform tasks as instructed by supervisor; to perform physically demanding tasks
Must be DPOR licensed master alternative onsite soil evaluator or master conventional onsite soil evaluator, VDH standardized in food or National Shellfish Sanitation Program State Standardized Inspector to qualify as EHS Senior
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

VDH work experience related to the area of environmental health specialization preferred

Responsibilities

Provide direct service to owners and patrons of regulated food service establishments, including both permitting and inspections.
Supports the objectives of the VDH strategic plan to inspect 100% of all food service facilities on an annual basis (minimum frequency), as well as temporary event permitting and inspections.
Additional duties of the position include animal exposure (rabies) investigations, inspections of pools, tourist establishments, migrant camps and general environmental investigations.