Environmental Health Specialist II

Job Description:

Environmental Health Specialist II

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following date:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the needs of the County are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

This recruitment will establish an openeligible list and will be used to fill current and future Environmental Health Specialist II vacancies within the Health Care Agency. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the County of Orange.

THE HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The County of Orange , Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) services areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION
The Environmental Health Division is comprised of various programs aimed toward protecting the health and safety of Orange County residents and visitors from harmful conditions in the environment. Staff enforce laws and regulations and emphasize education to assist businesses with providing healthy and safe communities. Services include retail and wholesale food protection, foodborne illness investigations, public pool inspections, childhood lead exposure prevention, water quality, ocean water protection, solid waste facility oversight, hazardous materials surveillance and mitigation oversight, underground and aboveground storage tank oversight, body art facility and practitioner oversight, medical waste management inspections and a used oil recycling education program.

THE PROGRAM
Plan Check: Conduct plan review and construction inspection for all retail food facilities and public swimming pools undergoing new construction or remodels throughout the county. These programs work directly with members of the public including owners, architects, and consultants.

THE OPPORTUNITY:
This position will assume specialized tasks within the Plan Check Section. The Environmental Health Specialist II will be assigned the tasks of reviewing and approving construction plans and conducting field inspections for food and pool facilities for compliance with sanitation and public health laws. Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting specialized studies, investigations, inspections, and making recommendations as to findings
• Compiling information, evaluating current procedures, and drafting proposed ordinances, division policies, regulations, and guidelines in the area of specialization
• Preparing various reports
• Planning and conducting in-service and public education training programs
• Recommending program goals and assisting in the implementation of County-wide environmental health programs
• Attending and addressing public meetings, educational conferences, and symposiums
• Reviewing and making recommendations involving environmental impact
• Coordinating work efforts with other divisions or outside agencies and assisting supervisors as needed

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following competencies:

Professional & Technical Expertise | Legal & Regulatory Navigation

• Understanding and applying new food safety training concepts, such as Oral Culture Learning, Active Managerial Control, and the Food Drug Administration Voluntary Program Standards as well as the Model Food Code
• Knowledge of laws and regulations related to retail food and public swimming pools and spas
• Knowledge and familiarity of digital plan submission and plan review applications
• Applying analytical skills and consistency for accuracy purposes
• Conducting routine field inspections

Building & Maintaining Relationships

• Developing, collaborating, and maintaining working relationships and continuously works to improve relationships, contacts, and networks
• Applying knowledge of building rapport, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques
• Using diplomacy when dealing with challenging situations and/or people

Leadership | Teamwork

• Leading, directing, and efficiently managing correspondences
• Exemplifying a role as an approachable "educator" as opposed to a traditional "regulator"
• Sharing responsibility and ownership for group accomplishments and shortcomings
• Facilitating, motivating, and supporting others to achieve a common goal or outcome
• Willingness to learn and adapt to feedback, change, and new information

Adaptability | Attention to Detail

• Staying apprised of new opportunities, techniques, and approaches related to inspections or environmental health
• Ability to multi-task several assignments and effectively prioritizing projects and assignments
• Maintaining adequate preparation time for scheduled meetings/deadlines
• Achieving goals in a timely manner, despite obstacles encountered, by organizing, re-prioritizing and re-planning if needed
• Responding to changing circumstances with a positive attitude

Oral & Written Communication

• Communicating effectively and professionally both orally and in writing with internal and external partners and during public speaking engagements
• Communicating accurately to convey both substance and intent
• Presenting ideas and complex materials clearly, concisely, logically, and persuasively

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have possession of A valid certificate of registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the State of California.

Applicants must have possession of a valid California Class C Driver License. Employees in this class will be required to use their own personal vehicle.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications and physical, mental, and environmental conditions for the Environmental Health Specialist II.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified candidates. After screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedure listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List
HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related requirements.
Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Mariah Cuellar at (714) 834-3179 or mcuellar@ochca.com .

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$2,895.20 - $3,902.40 Biweekly