Title: Environmental Health Technical Specialist
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $66,093 - $ 74,063
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: BLUE RIDGE HQ
Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/blue-ridge
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 33 local health districts.
Are you passionate about public health? The Blue Ridge Health District's (BRHD) Environmental Health team is looking for a dedicated and innovative environmental health professional with significant onsite sewage disposal and well program experience, to support both VDH's and BRHD's initiatives and mission. The BRHD, which includes the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson, as well as the City of Charlottesville, is at the forefront in accomplishing the VDH mission "to protect the health and promote the well-being of all people of Virginia." We accomplish this through collaboration and strategic initiatives with both our state and local community partners. If you are passionate about public health and the environmental health needs of your community, we want to hear from you!
The position serves as environmental health technical leader, mentor, and subject matter expert as an advanced practitioner for the agency in one or more EH programs such as food safety, onsite soils evaluation, and grade A milk. Performs complex environmental health functions, provides consultation and training to EH staff, assists in conducting training and may provide formal input into performance evaluations of EH staff. Must complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications: VDH Certified Milk Sanitation Officer, VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO), VDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist.
Program Support
• Manages caseload of assigned area in a professional manner and according to state guidelines
• Conducts inspections, collects required product samples and oversees equipment tests; stays current in responsibilities of assigned program
• Keeps required records in accordance with current regulations and department procedures and policies
• Advises appropriate leadership of issues related to their respective area
• May issue permits and monitor status
• Records results of inspections in data system, describing deficiencies and required corrective action
• Maintains knowledge of state laws and regulations, policies, and procedures
• Responds to and investigates complaints and complex EH functions
Training & Technical Duties
• Organizes and conducts educational presentations to improve awareness of new technology, emerging health concerns, instruction in assigned program(s) and innovative regulatory or educational techniques
• Provides initial and ongoing training to program staff to ensure standardization and consistency in inspections and enforcement
• Participates in meetings and in-service training activities
• Provides technical expertise in assisting with administrative enforcement to include hearings
• Assists, consults, and negotiates compliance in highly complex, sensitive, and urgent technical aspects of the EH program
• Provides a second or expert opinion to staff and/or clients about program areas that provide a special challenge
• Serves as the technical expert and consultant and resource/mentor to staff
• Provides technical expertise in assisting with development and implementation of quality assurance programs; implements and promotes quality assurance by complying with applicable agency standards established by regulation and policy
• Identifies barriers to quality; suggests and implements methods to improve accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness and internal/external customer satisfaction
• Reviews inspections conducted by staff and associated paperwork; provides guidance concerning technical inspection issues, problem and complaint resolution
• Serves as the lead EH staff member during outbreak and illness investigations
May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. May be required by VDH to adjust work hours, location, and job duties and participate in training to meet public health business needs, including emergencies. If this position is designated as a mobile worker, this includes both working in the field and teleworking at an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing. You may be required to periodically come into your assigned office to attend meetings or training.
VDH offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.
Minimum Qualifications
- Considerable knowledge of environmental health principles and practices related to the assigned program(s)
- Knowledge of microbiology and epidemiology as related to communicable disease
- Skill in evaluating the operation of assigned program area(s) and applying laws, regulations, and policies
- Skilled in proper use of instruments and equipment required for testing related to the assigned program area(s)
- Ability to interpret, apply, and enforce laws, regulations and policies governing environmental health
- Ability to explain and interpret detailed and complex rules and regulations
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Ability to train and mentor program staff
- Must be able to complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications:
o VDH Certified Milk Sanitation Officer
o VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO)
o VDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist
Additional Considerations
- Experience related to the area of environmental health specialization
- Prior experience training and mentoring staff preferred
- VDH training and experience in the onsite sewage disposal and water program
- DPOR Licensure as a Master Onsite Soil Evaluator
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. HHS IG Exclusion List check, employment reference check, and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, or other 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 will be 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; 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
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.
VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year’s seasonal influenza vaccination.
Contact Information
Name: Tammy Richardson / Richard Bolden
Phone: 434-422-4556 / 434-972-6271
Email: Tammy.Richardson@vdh.virginia.gov / Richard.Bolden@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.