Environmental Health Specialist

Title: Environmental Health Specialist

State Role Title: Environmental Health Specialist

Hiring Range: $42,000 - $46,278

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Bath County Territory

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Performs environmental health duties at the entry level as a trainee. Employees are typically new hires in formal and on-the-job training in one or more areas such as food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatements, communicable disease investigation, and migrant labor camp inspection, classification of shellfish growing areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees received close supervision and guidance. Must be able to complete the applicable training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months; VDH Standardized in Food, CPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE), and National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector. Employees are moved to the Environmental Health Specialist Senior position upon successful completion.

VDH offers a competitive compensation package in addition to an employer paid retirement, employer-paid life insurance, employer paid malpractice protection, employer-subsidized health insurance., pre-tax 457/401 (a) deferred compensation plan with employer cash match up to $40/month, pre-tax medical reimbursement and child/elder care reimbursement plans, employer-paid short term and long term disability plan, annual leave, sick leave, and paid holidays.
The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is seeking a highly motivated Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) to join our team of professionals committed to providing support of Public Health services. The Food Program position is based out of the Bath/Highland Health Departments with some travel throughout CSHD

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum KSAs:
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs
• Ability to provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member
• Time management skills necessary to meet workload demands
• Knowledge and/experience in assigned program area
• Ability to influence behavior of foodservice employees/management, provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member
• Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) or National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector
• A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency
A. Performance Management (for employees who supervise others)
• Serves in a managerial/supervisory capacity to conduct performance management activities and ensure onboarding/offboarding and training for staff
• Establishes and reviews work assignments and priorities and implements performance improvement strategies and/or problem resolution for related issues, in conjunction with program management and Human Resource staff
• Ensures relevant training and workplace safety for staff
• Conducts required performance monitoring and appraisals, establishes clear performance expectations, addresses deficiencies in a timely manner, and documents underperformance in accordance with state guidelines
• Supports employee growth through regular feedback, coaching, and professional development opportunities
B. Program Support
• In consultation with EH Supervisor/EHS Sr. assures that all elements of program are conducted according to VDH regulations, state and local policies
• Implements/promotes quality assurance plans by complying with all applicable agency standards established by regulation and policy
• In consultation with EHS Sr. and EH Supervisor, responds to reports using epidemiological research (interviews, case histories, sample collection), on-site evaluation, field testing, interpretation of laboratory results

C. Environmental Health
• In consultation with EHS Sr. may perform the following EH duties:
o Food related field duties, as required, to ensure state and local mandates are met; records, submits and updates establishment profile and risk data; issues permits and monitors permit status; conducts plan reviews for new and existing facilities
o Protects public health from disease transmission and groundwater pollution associated with raw or partially treated sewage by ensuring the proper location, evaluation, design and construction, and operation and maintenance of Sewage Disposal Systems and Private Wells
o Prevents human illness and disease transmission from rabies; understands the virus; comprehends and implements the Virginia Guidelines for Rabies Prevention and Control and all other applicable laws, regulations and policies
o Monitors swimming pools, child and adult care facilities, hotels and motels and migrant labor camps
• Documents observations and corrective actions on the appropriate inspection report
• Conducts EH sanitary inspections upon request

D. Environmental Health Complaints
• Conducts general environmental complaint investigations for assigned program area(s) with follow-up enforcement action taken when necessary
• Responds to environmental complaints to include but not limited to rodents, insects and general environmental concerns
• Achieves resolution of complaints within reasonable timeframe

Additional Considerations

• Experience in environmental health, such as experience gained as an Environmental Health Associate

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service's Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
VDH accepts only online applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p. m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.


It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race ( or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national original; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age: veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Angie.Mueller

Phone: 540f-332-7830

Email: angie.mueller@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.