Environmental Health Technical Specialist

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Virginia Beach, VA

7d • $56,135 - $74,063 • Onsite

About The Position

Virginia Beach Healthy is seeking an Environmental Health Technical Specialist to serve as the VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO). Your experience and credentials will position you to be the environmental health technical leader, mentor and subject matter expert as an advanced practitioner for the agency in Food Safety. This position will perform complex environmental health functions, provides consultation and training to staff, assists in conducting training and may provide formal input into performance evaluations of staff. Training: Must complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications: VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO).

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of environmental health principles and practices related to the assigned program(s)
• Knowledge of microbiology and epidemiology as related to communicable disease
• Skill in evaluating the operation of assigned program area(s) and applying laws, regulations, and policies
• Skilled in proper use of instruments and equipment required for testing related to the assigned program area(s)
• Ability to interpret, apply, and enforce laws, regulations and policies governing environmental health
• Ability to explain and interpret detailed and complex rules and regulations
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to train and mentor program staff
• Must be able to complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications: VDH Certified Milk Sanitation Officer, VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO), VDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist

Nice To Haves

• Experience related to the area of environmental health specialization
• Prior experience training and mentoring staff preferred

Responsibilities

• Manages caseload of assigned area in a professional manner and according to state guidelines
• Conducts inspections, collects required product samples and oversees equipment tests; stays current in responsibilities of assigned program
• Keeps required records in accordance with current regulations and department procedures and policies
• Advises appropriate leadership of issues related to their respective area
• May issue permits and monitor status
• Records results of inspections in data system, describing deficiencies and required corrective action
• Maintains knowledge of state laws and regulations, policies, and procedures
• Responds to and investigates complaints and complex EH functions
• Organizes and conducts educational presentations to improve awareness of new technology, emerging health concerns, instruction in assigned program(s) and innovative regulatory or educational techniques
• Provides initial and ongoing training to program staff to ensure standardization and consistency in inspections and enforcement
• Participates in meetings and in-service training activities
• Provides technical expertise in assisting with administrative enforcement to include hearings
• Assists, consults, and negotiates compliance in highly complex, sensitive, and urgent technical aspects of the EH program
• Provides a second or expert opinion to staff and/or clients about program areas that provide a special challenge
• Serves as the technical expert and consultant and resource/mentor to staff
• Provides technical expertise in assisting with development and implementation of quality assurance programs; implements and promotes quality assurance by complying with applicable agency standards established by regulation and policy
• Identifies barriers to quality; suggests and implements methods to improve accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness and internal/external customer satisfaction
• Reviews inspections conducted by staff and associated paperwork; provides guidance concerning technical inspection issues, problem and complaint resolution
• Serves as the lead EH staff member during outbreak and illness investigations
• Serves as the subject matter expert in assigned program area(s) and is the program expert in a specific environmental program(s), provides initial and ongoing training to EH staff to ensure standardization and consistency in inspections and enforcement
• Ensures staff standardizations are current and maintained
• Provides status report to management on standardization status as requested

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• optional flexible spending accounts
• disability (short and long)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness
• retirement plans (including 401(a) Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan)
• sick, family/personal, annual, parental, and military leave

What This Job Offers

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