Environmental Health Specialist Trainee

The Position

The Board of Supervisors have authorized the following future salary increases:
5% on July 1, 2025

Why Join Contra Costa Health?
The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is offering an excellent career opportunity for qualified individuals interested in the entry-level Environmental Health Specialist Trainee position. There are currently two (2) vacancies in the Consumer Protection Programs although assignments may be in other Environmental Health Programs depending on the Division needs. The Environmental Health Division is located in Concord, CA.

An incumbent's primary responsibility and majority of work hours is completing our in-house training program, conducting field work which will require travel to various locations in Contra Costa County, and collecting a sufficient number of training hours to sit for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist examination administered by the California Department of Public Health.

Environmental Health Specialists inspect and investigate potential public health issues covered and enforced under various state regulations and local ordinance codes. Typical tasks include inspecting and investigating complaints at retail food establishments, pool facilities, farmers' markets, temporary food events, mobile food facilities, private properties, small public water systems, and solid waste facilities; interacting effectively with the public, regulated community, and other agencies; preparing brief staff and field investigation reports; and performing other related work as required.

In general, Environmental Health is the prevention, preservation, and improvement of environmental factors affecting the health and safety of communities. Contra Costa Environmental Health Division's mission is to protect and promote the health of people throughout Contra Costa County through regulatory programs covering both our built and natural environments.

This position will be required to travel to different locations throughout Contra Costa County.

We are looking for someone who:

• Can clearly communicate information, concepts, and directions both verbally and non-verbally to the public, management, and other agencies.
• Is assertive and able to conduct enforcement and other tasks confidently under the supervision of a Registered Environmental Health Specialist.
• Provides and promotes excellent customer service for both internal and external customers as well as the regulated community.
• Prepares clear and concise reports independently.
• Is organized, can budget time effectively, and prioritizes duties to ensure that all assignments are completed by established deadlines.
• Able to effectively interpret policies, procedures, regulations, and ordinances.
• Possesses a high attention to detail.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Conduct field inspections, complaint investigations, and complete relevant inspection reports under the supervision of a Registered Environmental Health Specialist.
• Provide excellent customer service when conducting tasks and responding to inquiries.
• Complete review and issue approval of various documents, applications, plans, etc.
• Work toward the ability to independently act as a subject matter expert for aspects of an assigned program(s).
• Assist in enforcement action for non-compliance of regulations and ordinance codes.
• Accurate interpretation of regulations and ordinance codes to make appropriate enforcement recommendations based on the interpretation.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Interacting with others and having a sincere desire to help them succeed.
• Working independently outside of an office approximately 80% of a typical day.
• Collaborating with other agencies when working on various tasks.
• The opportunity to learn new subjects/programs and cross-train in a wide variety of disciplines.
• Serving an integral part in protecting public health and the environment.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Learning how to effectively communicate to gain voluntary compliance.
• Planning, prioritizing, and budgeting time to ensure all assigned work is completed in a timely manner and pursuant to division goals.
• Learning how to engage with other agencies as you work towards a common goal.
• Learning how to deescalate various situations when dealing with irate customers.
• Effectively and efficiently interpreting regulations and ordinance codes to correctly recommend enforcement actions.

Competencies Required:

• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Environmental Exposure Tolerance: Performing under physically demanding conditions
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what he/she commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Negotiating: Reaching mutually satisfying agreements and compromise
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: https://www.cccounty.us/hr .

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid motor operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in environmental health, a science curriculum or closely related field.

Letter of Eligibility: A letter certifying eligibility to become an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee provided by the California State Department of Public Health, Registered Environmental Health Specialist Program.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: All applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire (BCQ): Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online assessment. The assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the job. In the assessment, candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include but are not limited to: Decision Making, Legal & Regulatory Navigation, Writing, Handling & Resolving Conflict and Negotiating.(Weighted 100%).
The BCQ Assessment is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely) during the week of January 2, 2024.

The BCQ Assessment will be administered remotely using a computer or mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment questions, please contact Health Services Personnel, Recruitment Team at Exams@cchealth.org . For any technical issues, please contact the Government Jobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1-855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 12/18/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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