Health and Environmental Investigator III - Water Recreational Program

King County•Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Food and Facilities Program is seeking a skilled, enthusiastic, and dedicated Health & Environmental Investigator III (HEI) for our Water Recreational Program. A key responsibility of this position is to manage and assess risks of sewage release events impacting recreational bodies of water and shellfish harvest areas. Additional responsibilities include supporting fresh and marine water swimming beach and shellfish monitoring programs. The HEI will work closely with multiple local utilities, cities, the Washington State Department of Health, Department of Ecology, and other agencies. Internally, this position will work with the Food and Facilities Assistant Division Director/supervisors and King County Communications. The HEI will also conduct plan reviews of remodeled and newly constructed water recreation facilities; provide water recreation facility technical assistance to program staff, other agencies, and the public; assist with responding to water recreation related complaints, service requests, and investigations; and provide technical support to other staff and to the public. About the Environmental Health Services Division: Through the work of 190+ dedicated employees, The Environmental Health Services Division’s mission is to identify and sustain environmental conditions that promote healthy people and healthy communities. Our vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race, gender, or economic status. The Division’s core values include equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve. We strive for fair and culturally competent service delivery, innovative, effective, and efficient application of resources, building a culture of performance and expanding opportunities to seek input, listen and respond to industry and residents. To learn more, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/ehs . Temporary Opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are “at will” positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last one (1) year . One factor that could effect the end date of the position is an unanticipated change in funding. This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. Special Duty Assignments are open to Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment. Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months. Commitment To Equity and Social Justice Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures. The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts. We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities. To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Requirements

Within (6) six months of hire, Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or from the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians (WSBRS).
Demonstrated experience conducting comprehensive plan reviews for food or water recreation facilities, ensuring compliance with food or water recreation code
Demonstrated cultural competence working with diverse populations including race, ethnicity, gender, ability, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.
Demonstrated experience analyzing and interpreting data to guide public health decision-making
Demonstrated ability applying principles of equity and social justice in local government programs.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings and provide presentations to a wide range and size of audiences.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the public, program staff and other agencies; and to participate effectively on committees and work groups to collaboratively discuss and resolve issues and develop recommendations for long term program evaluation and planning.
Demonstrated knowledge of environmental health principles and federal, state, or local environmental health regulations, codes and/or policies.
Demonstrated ability to research and draft program policies, procedures, correspondence, and technical reports.
Demonstrated proficiency with computer systems, Microsoft Office suite and with database or planning/design software.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with staff in different levels of government agencies and people in different fields of discipline.
Demonstrated ability to navigate through uncertainties, to be comfortable when there are no clear answers, and to make sound decisions by collecting and analyzing data, understanding the legal framework and the interests of all involved parties, and working closely with the leadership.
Valid Washington State driver's license OR ability to obtain upon hire.
Within six months of hire, Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or from the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians (WSBRS).
All required licenses and certifications must be maintained in active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience completing pre-operational inspections for food establishments or water recreation facilities
Experience responding to and managing sewage releases and overflow events
Experience with marine and freshwater beach monitoring and shellfish sampling programs
Demonstrated experience issuing food or water recreation construction permits for approved plans
Experience working in a highly collaborative government program or coalition.
Established effective working relationships with program partner agencies.
Bilingual in one of the most common non-English languages in King County (such as Spanish, Arabic, Somali, Hindi, Punjabi, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean).
Experience working with permitting and licensing software (e.g., Tyler EPL and Bluebeam)

Responsibilities

Conduct plan reviews of remodeled and newly constructed water recreation facilities
Conduct comprehensive plan reviews for water recreation facilities ensuring compliance with WAC 246-260, WAC 246-262, and KCBH Code.
Issue Water Recreation Facility Construction Permits for approved water recreation plans.
Maintain and evaluate EH portal service website drain cover replacement submittals.
Complete pre-operational inspections for water recreation facilities.
Respond and manage sewage releases and overflow events
Manage sewage release/overflow notifications and assess contamination risk to the public.
Review and provide follow-up for incoming Ecology Reporting and Tracking System (ERTS) reports.
Coordinate and work with local utilities, management, communications team, county officials and the Washington State Department of Ecology BEACH Program.
Track data and manage records of each sewage release/overflow event.
Respond and manage the marine and freshwater beach monitoring and shellfish sampling programs
Analyze laboratory sample test results received for bacterial and toxic algal blooms.
Coordinate with King County Water and Land Resource Division, Washington State Department of Ecology BEACH Program, and local parks on signage postings at beaches.
Handle and manage all complaints regarding beach closures and warnings.
Coordinate with King County lab on sampling schedules and resamples.
Perform risk assessments for appropriate signage postings.
Work and coordinate with Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Program and local parks on signage postings in recreational shellfish harvesting areas based on lab results.
Provide training and technical support to staff.
Update protocols, information, and forms on Water Recreational Program website.
Participate in program activities and investigations with the Washington State Department of Health’s Water Recreation Program and with Public Health - Seattle & King County Prevention Division's Communicable Disease Investigators.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.