Senior Environmental Health Specialist

County of Thurston•Olympia, WA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services is recruiting an Onsite Sewage System Operation & Maintenance Program Supervisor (Senior Environmental Health Specialist) for its Environmental Health Division. The role supervises five staff and leads a program focused on preventing surface- and groundwater pollution from failing or inadequately maintained onsite sewage systems in Thurston County. The program collects, interprets, and analyzes environmental health data to protect public health and water resources, enforce applicable standards and regulations, and oversee the certification of onsite sewage system professionals, including pumpers and certified maintenance specialists. The position develops and implements water-quality and septic-system operation and maintenance projects and programs, including public education, routine and project-based water-quality monitoring, pollution investigations, professional oversight, implementation of the County onsite sewage system management plan, and regulatory compliance. It also manages employees, budgets, grants, contracts, and interlocal agreements; coordinates with other programs and agencies; and represents the department in regional and multi-agency work groups. The role may include 24/7 response during public health emergencies and disease outbreak investigations, as well as related preparedness training and exercises. The position works in an office in Olympia, Washington, and outdoors throughout Thurston County. Work is primarily in the field and office, with up to one day per week of remote work potentially available upon request. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with potential options for alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote work. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, and field inspections. The role involves daily interactions with County staff and the public.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in environmental health, biology, bacteriology, or a related field; additional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Three years of professional environmental health experience requiring extensive public contact, including one year at the Environmental Health Specialist II level or equivalent, with specialization in one or more environmental health disciplines.
Current Washington State driver’s license, or a requested and obtained appropriate accommodation.
Recognition by the Washington State Sanitarian Registration Board as a Registered Sanitarian within 18 months of the hire date.
Ability to use a personal computer and related software for word processing, analysis, information retrieval, and tracking.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of environmental health science, biology, epidemiology, hydrology, and soils science.
Knowledge and experience with state and local onsite sewage system regulations, standards, and technology.
Knowledge of permit and data systems.
Ability to compile and maintain complete and accurate records and interpret and enforce complex regulations.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written presentations.
Familiarity with sanitary survey methods, water-quality monitoring techniques, data analysis, and data presentation.
Knowledge of education, outreach, and social marketing or communication strategies.
Knowledge of designing and conducting water-quality investigations and studies.
Judgment and sensitivity when interacting with the public while educating and promoting good public relations.
Ability to create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where mistakes can be made and corrected.
Ability to interact sensitively with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and with people of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced organization while maintaining a positive work environment.
Ability to serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner, communicating clearly in writing and verbally.
Cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating community health policies, programs, and services.
Strong oral communication skills for networking and interpersonal relationships.
Strong written communication skills, including drafting correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors.
Ability to supervise, motivate, and develop employees and teams; encourage critical reflection; give direction constructively; and support employee growth.
Fairness and impartiality in interactions, attention to employee welfare, and responsiveness to staff input, suggestions, and complaints.
Strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation.
Ability to plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure.
Ability to model confidentiality, professional values, ethics, honesty, and integrity.
Flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment.
Delegation, persuasion, and negotiation skills to support shared responsibility and acceptance of change.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement water-quality and onsite sewage system operation and maintenance projects and programs, including public education, water-quality monitoring, pollution investigations, professional oversight, and regulatory compliance.
Implement the County onsite sewage system management plan.
Issue, withhold, or withdraw licenses and permits.
Review and report environmental data, program effectiveness, and project results; develop recommendations for policymakers and department managers.
Write department policies and procedures for assigned programs.
Coordinate program activities with other department programs, agencies, and jurisdictions.
Manage and direct assigned employees’ work; provide guidance and training.
Recommend employee selections, monitor progress, and evaluate performance.
Develop and manage the section’s annual budget.
Prepare grant proposals and manage grant projects, contracts, and interlocal agreements.
Represent the department on regional and multi-agency water-resource and sewage-management work groups.
Participate in assigned work, including 24/7 response during public health emergencies and disease outbreak investigations, and related emergency preparedness training and exercises.

Benefits

Retirement plan
Pre-tax savings accounts
Comprehensive health care coverage
Dental and vision care for employees and their families
Paid vacation for full-time regular employees
Paid holidays
County-paid training and opportunities to attend professional organizations and conferences
Flexible work schedules, including potential alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working
Three voluntary deferred compensation plans
Flexible Spending Account for eligible out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses
Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness