Environmental Protection Specialist Intern

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

This entry-level position exists, with supervisor and work group lead oversight, to perform assigned sampling surveillance for the milk inspection program. This includes conducting assessments on milk haulers and plant samplers, performing inspections of milk hauling tankers, and collecting milk samples for analysis. This position will also provide compliance assistance to Colorado dairy industry.

The Work Unit: The Milk and Corrections Unit is under the direction of the Deputy Division Director and is responsible for assuring compliance with the requirements of the food laws and sanitation regulations of the State for dairy farms, dairy processing plants, and correctional facilities. These duties are accomplished through inspections, recall coordination, outbreak investigations, compliance assistance, and compliance assurance; by reviewing registration information, plan review submissions, and other field-generated information for dairy plants and farms, and penal institutions within the State. The Unit determines the appropriate response, which may include informal or formal inquiries, such as embargo, condemnation, seizure, injunctive relief, and recalls, requesting additional field investigations, recommending and subsequently researching and developing administrative or judicial enforcement actions, and developing and negotiating civil penalties. The Unit is also responsible for drafting new regulations, completing State Board of Health documents, and coordinating stakeholder meetings.

Requirements

• Four (4) years of relevant experience in environmental issues or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position OR A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in environmental issues or occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years
• Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location.
• Must be able to lift milk coolers up to 50 lbs into and out of vehicles

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the dairy, agricultural, or food service industry, particularly with standard sanitation practices, food safety regulations, or quality control.
• Familiarity with environmental sampling methodologies, sterile fluid collection techniques, or chain-of-custody protocols for laboratory analysis.
• Strong data management skills, with demonstrated experience using digital inspection software, databases, or spreadsheets for accurate data entry and tracking.
• Professional working proficiency in Spanish (Bilingual), with the ability to effectively communicate regulatory requirements and provide compliance assistance to Spanish-speaking dairy industry operators and haulers.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, or updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical manuals, or regulatory guidance documents to ensure consistency and compliance with state or federal standards.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, contribute to cross-functional task forces, and maintain positive peer relationships while working toward shared agency goals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-farm evaluations of milk haulers sampling and transferring milk to milk tankers.
• Conduct evaluations of milk plant samplers obtaining milk samples from individual milk tankers
• Conduct training courses for new haulers and samplers, issue certification tests, and discuss the results with individual applicants
• Conduct field inspections of milk tankers used to haul milk, issuing a certification sticker upon completion.
• Conduct data entry of completed inspections, input inspections completed by a Certified Industry Inspector, and generate lists of upcoming inspections and evaluations to be completed
• Obtain milk and water samples to ensure compliance with Grade A regulatory standards and ensure the frequency of samples meets or exceeds regulatory requirements
• Review, investigate, update, and maintain raw milk herdshare registrations.
• Update DEHS website with information pertinent to raw milk herdshare operations in Colorado.
• Attends meetings, serves on task forces or teams, completes projects, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Benefits

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Flexible working arrangements
• Retirement ( PERA options), Medical and dental health plans Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

What This Job Offers

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