Senior Environmental Health Specialist

The Position

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium .

Under general direction, performs a variety of complex technical functions to assure compliance with local, state and federal public health and environmental laws and regulations, including: advising the public regarding related matters; investigating complaints; preparing various reports; inspecting facilities; reviewing plans and applications; and issuing permits.

Supervisor Academy is mandatory for all supervisors and consists of nine courses that must be completed within two years. Participation is required and completed during work hours.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Carries out supervisory responsibility in accordance with policies, procedures and applicable laws including, hiring, training, assigning and directing work, appraising performance including conducting annual evaluations and determining eligibility for merit increases, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems; control work production and activities, to ensure uniform application of inspection and enforcement procedures and that deadlines are met.
• Meets with and/or advises the public, contractors, business representatives, etc., concerning public health and environmental issues, including explaining applicable laws, regulations and fees; responding via letter, telephone and personal inquiry; assisting in completing business plans.
• Assists management staff in developing policies and procedures related to division functions.
• Develops workshops/educational classes, plans curriculum, makes presentations and/or oversees examination processes.
• Investigates reports/complaints, including collecting evidence at potential environmental crime scenes; taking samples of soil and water for laboratory analysis; reviewing analytical lab reports to determine if further investigation is needed; preparing reports; issuing notices of violation; making referrals; and forwarding information to law enforcement or legal officials.
• Prepares complex, routine, and non-routine reports as requested utilizing a variety of software; receives, sorts, and summarizes material for the preparation of reports; prepares work reports; creates forms; and relays and interprets administrative decisions, policies and instructions.
• Reviews and approves annual underground storage tank operations certificate submissions and other public health and environmental documents, certificates, reports, etc.
• Monitors safety procedures and practices at underground storage tank removal and closures.
• Responds to hazardous material and hazardous waste releases and discharges.
• Inspects public food facilities, small public water systems and public pools and spas for compliance with state health laws and regulations; issues written reports identifying violations and compliance requirements.
• Reviews quarterly monitoring reports of small public water systems for compliance with state regulations.
• Reviews and approves plans for new small public water systems, septic systems, new and remodeled food facilities, and new and remodeled public pools and spas for compliance with state regulations.
• Reviews applications, issues permits, and conducts field inspections related to handling and treatment of hazardous materials; underground storage tanks; well construction, destruction and repair; and other projects under the division’s jurisdiction.
• Inspects businesses storing or handling hazardous materials and businesses generating or treating hazardous waste; investigates complaints of illegal handling, disposal or release of hazardous materials.
• Approves, processes and comments on various coastal permits, making sure coastal projects meet County requirements for water and septic services.
• Reviews applications for subdivisions and recommends conditions that must be met, reviews conditions.
• Reviews building permits and applications and collects information pertaining to application from other agencies.
• Conducts inspections of housing units to locate vermin, vectors, refuse, poor water quality and other health and safety concerns; follows up to assure compliance and/or refer cases to law enforcement agencies or legal entities.
• Issues legal notices or abatement letters for violations of regulations; conducts follow up investigation and inspections.
• Approves, processes and comments on various coastal permits, making sure coastal projects meet County requirements for water and septic services.
• Diagnoses failing septic systems; develops designs for on-site sewage disposal systems in repair situations; reviews mathematical calculations and performs field checks of soil reports and on-site sewage system designs for compliance with state and local laws and regulations; issues permits for construction; inspects construction for compliance with approved design.
• Reviews applications, issues permits and conducts inspections of water wells.
• Conducts routine inspections of solid waste facilities.
• Inspects and issues permits for septic tank cleaning and refuse disposal trucks.
• Investigates reports of humans bitten by animals and/or exposed to potentially rabid animals; determines quarantine and coordinates lab tests for suspected rabid animals or animals exposed to suspected rabid animals.
• Collects shellfish samples and sends to state lab for detection of paralytic toxins.
• Inspects organized camps, family care institutions, detention facilities, labor camps, schools and special events to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Reviews hazardous materials business plans for completeness and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Performs various studies and prepares reports related to environmental health issues.
• Follows state protocol to investigate cases of childhood lead poisoning and food borne illness, including conducting investigation of lead sources; collecting samples; writing reports; working with parties to abate found hazards.
• Prepares notifications of contaminated sites for press release.
• Drafts guidelines and procedures for underground storage tank permit compliance per state and federal laws.
• Issues citations for violations of public health laws and regulations.
• Investigates reported cases of pesticide poisoning.
• Reviews environmental impact reports for compliance with State and County environmental and public health laws and regulations.
• Reviews and implements new laws and regulations.
• Maintains and calibrates equipment and meters, including scheduling maintenance; and taking inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Updates and maintains computer database information and related documents, records and files.
• Represents the division and County before advisory committees, community groups, etc., regarding various environmental health issues; meets with staff from other departments to coordinate functions.
• Reviews and responds to noise level studies and noise barrier designs.
• Maintains and upgrades knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars, meetings and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.
• Reports administrative and/or operational problems to supervisor.
• Disseminates a variety of information and/or reports to various agencies, divisions, or departments via telephone, mail, email or fax.
• May serve as backup for other positions within the division.
• Performs other related duties as assigned .

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree, including 30 semester units of basic sciences, or equivalent from a four-year college in Biology, Environmental Health or related field; and,

Two years of progressively responsible related experience; or,

A combination of higher education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid certificate of registration of an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) in the State of California
Valid driver's license

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, codes, laws, rules and regulations and legislative issues.
• Basic principles of physical, biological, environmental and social science as related to public health and environmental quality control.
• Methods and techniques of inspecting and making investigations of hazardous material handlers, facilities and criminal violations.
• Microbiology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, statistical analysis, hydraulics, hydrology, science soil morphology and physics.
• Specific technical expertise in biological or ecological disciplines and/or physical process disciplines (hydrology, geology, hydrogeology, water quality, stormwater, etc.) Sanitation provisions.
• Vector control measures.
• Proper food handling procedures.
• Proper design and operation of pumps, piping, valves, filter and other equipment associated with pools and spas.
• Nature, generation, use, treatment, storage, disposal, release and clean-up of hazardous materials and waste.
• Design and operation of fuel delivery stations.
• Acting as a specialist in difficult or highly technical areas of environmental or public health work requiring specialized training or experience such as solid waste, food, and land use inspections.
• Methods, means and technologies used in education.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Internal departmental policies and procedures.
• External governmental bodies and agencies related to area of assignment.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• General office procedures, policies and practices, as well as knowledge of computer/VDT and other general office equipment.

Skill in:

• Leading the work of staff, including delegating and training in work functions.
• Designing and conducting education workshops, classes, etc.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Using a computer to accurately and rapidly enter and retrieve data and information.
• Communicating orally with internal staff, citizens, and other departmental staff in order to give and receive information in a professional manner.
• Operation and routine maintenance of general office machines such as copiers, facsimile machines, telephone systems, and two-way radio base stations.
• Managing work priorities efficiently and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Exercising good judgment when gathering, analyzing, and using data to effectively communicate through written reports and verbal presentations with regulatory agencies, the public, developers, and elected officials.
• Successfully balancing competing needs that arise during controversial projects involving sensitive issues.
  

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Compile and evaluate data and make recommendations.
• Make presentations.
• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.
• Interpret lab results and prepare clear reports.
• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions, giving close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, common fractions and decimals .
• Deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: If you require special testing arrangements to accommodate a disability or religious conviction you must contact Human Resources at 707.234.6600 prior to the test date to make your requirements known. You must provide enough advance notice to allow Human Resources to properly review and evaluate your request .

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 1/1/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

• 

• County of Mendocino

• 707-234-6600

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