Title: Environmental Health Specialist Senior
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $51,000 - $64,000/year
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: RICHMOND-HQ
Agency Website: rhhd.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 35 local health districts.
The Richmond & Henrico County Health Districts (RHHD) are on the forefront of Public Health and Population Health. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs. We accomplish this by exposing and addressing the root causes of health disparities and protecting health through disease prevention and monitoring, providing clinical services, nutrition services, environmental health services, vital records, emergency planning, and building health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors. WE ARE PUBLIC HEALTH!
The Richmond City Health District is currently seeking two environmental health specialist seniors. This position performs environmental health duties independently at the journey level in areas such as food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, migrant labor camp inspection, classification of shellfish growing areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Training includes completion of the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program, whichever is applicable. Must have and maintain credentials in one of the following: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE), National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector.
This incumbent will be expected to work in our Richmond City Health District and other offsite areas in the community as needed. Mileage reimbursement is available for any work-related travel. Typical work hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Benefits:
This position offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance options, life insur-ance, retirement plans, disability plans, and more. The Virginia Department of Health also offers paid time off including but not limited to; annual leave, family & personal leave, sick leave, 13 paid holidays, and a host of other leave options.
This recruitment may qualify for exceptional recruitment and incentive options, including a sign on bonus or a leave grant, which may be offered with a 1-year tenure agreement.
Minimum Qualifications
Basic knowledge of biology, epidemiology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics; ability to interpret complex federal, state and local environmental health policies, regulations, and laws; skill in communication, both oral and written; ability to deal with the public and resolve conflict in a regulatory setting; ability to prepare thorough documentation and reports of regulatory activities; skill as an educator/trainer teaching environmental health principles
Ability to interpret and enforce laws and regulations governing environmental health programs; ability to analyze information and make recommendations; to receive, understand and perform tasks as instructed by supervisor; to perform physically demanding tasks
Must be DPOR licensed master alternative onsite soil evaluator or master conventional onsite soil evaluator, VDH standardized in food or National Shellfish Sanitation Program State Standardized Inspector to qualify as EHS Senior
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
Additional Considerations
Experience in Environmental Sciences
Certified Professional in Food Safety (CP-FS)
Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM).
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 Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
VDH accepts only on-line 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 origin; 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 a 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: Deja Fontenot
Phone: 8042053744
Email: deja.fontenot@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.