Environmental Health Specialist II

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 throughout the County, 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 supervision, 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.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.

• 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 hazardous materials business plans.
• Investigates reports/complaints, including: collecting evidence at potential environmental crime scenes; taking samples of food, 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 agencies or legal officials.
• Prepares complex, routine and non-routine reports as requested utilizing a variety of software; receives, sorts, analyzes and summarizes material for the preparation of reports; prepares work reports; 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.
• Investigates complaints of illegal handling, storage, disposal or release of hazardous materials.
• Monitors safety procedures and practices at underground storage tank removal and closures.
• Inspects businesses storing or handling hazardous materials and businesses generating or treating hazardous waste.
• 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.
• Reviews applications and building plans and conducts construction inspections of new or remodeled food facilities and public pools and spas.
• 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.
• 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.
• Responds to hazardous material and hazardous waste releases and discharges.
• Approves, processes and comments on various coastal permits, making sure coastal projects meet County requirements for water and septic services.
• Reviews applications and recommends conditions that must be met; reviews reports that satisfy conditions and notifies senior staff.
• Reviews building permits and applications and collects information pertaining to application from other agencies.
• Reviews applications, issues permits and conducts inspections of water wells.
• Diagnoses failing septic systems and 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 and responds to hydrological reports and site clean up investigation reports, assuring compliance with guidelines.
• 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.
• Follows state protocol to investigate cases of childhood lead poisoning and food borne illness, including: conducting investigations of lead sources; collecting samples; writing reports; working with parties to abate found hazards.
• Prepares notifications of contaminated sites for press release.
• Reviews hazardous materials business plans for completeness and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• 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.
• Drafts guidelines and procedures for underground storage tank permit compliance per state and federal laws.
• Reviews and implements new laws and regulations.
• Develops workshops and educational classes, plans curriculum, makes presentations and/or oversees examination process.
• Issues legal notices or abatement letters for violations of regulations; conducts follow-up investigations and inspections.
• Reviews environmental impact reports for compliance with State and County environmental and public health laws and regulations.
• Performs various studies and prepares reports related to environmental health issues.
• 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.
• Issues citations for violations of public health laws and regulations.
• 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 department.
• 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 

One (1) year of progressively responsible related experience; or, when possessing California Registered Health Specialist or.

Any 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 as an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) in the State of California 

Valid driver's license

Knowledge of:

• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, codes, laws, rules and regulations and legislative issues.
• Basic principles of physical, biological 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, mathematics, statistical analysis, hydraulics, hydrology, science soil morphology and physics.
• 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.
• Hydraulics associates with sewage systems.
• 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 and other general office equipment.

Skill in:

• 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 courteous manner.
• Operating and routine maintenance of general office machines such as copiers, facsimile machines, telephone systems, and two-way radio base stations.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Compile and evaluate data and make recommendations.
• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, etc.
• 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.

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.