Title: Environmental Specialist Senior - Public Water

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $51,426 to $58,426 

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Dept of Health

Agency Website: vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The primary responsibility for this position is to ensure safe drinking water to the counties of Culpeper, Orange, Madison, Spotsylvania, and Rappahannock, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Under Section 32.1-167-176 of the Code of Virginia and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is required to provide safe drinking water regulations. These functions are initiated and monitored by the inspectors assigned to various regions, and are of critical importance to sustaining a program of inspections to ensure continued compliance with state and federal regulations. Critical duties include:

(1) Conducting inspections and sanitary surveys of groundwater source waterworks;

(2) Interpreting federal and state regulations applicable to waterworks owners and operators;

(3) Providing guidance to owners and operators to ensure they achieve compliance with health and safety standards;

(4) Providing assistance to help waterworks return to compliance in cases where they violate the drinking water standards;

(5) Training operators in the operation and maintenance of waterworks; and

(6) Providing information about drinking water quality to the general public.

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (EPA), which is a continuous revolving grant. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

Minimum Qualifications

Working Knowledge of biology, microbiology, chemistry, and math;

· Knowledge of technology associated with provision of drinking water;

· Ability to express facts clearly, verbally and in writing, and to present at public meetings;

· Ability to effectively communicate technical information with others and to prepare thorough and accurate reports and documentation of regulatory activities;

· Ability to analyze information and data and to make recommendations for corrective actions and compliance;

· Ability to interpret complex federal, state and local laws, policies, regulations, and technical documents;

· 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

· Licensure as a Waterworks Operator by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
· Experience in the provision of drinking water and related activities in the areas of enforcement and compliance

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

Contact Information

Name: Cassandra Diclaro, RACR

Phone: 804.573.1158

Email: cassandra.diclaro@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.