Title: Environmental Health Specialist
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $44,192 - $48,000
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: RAP-RAP-CULPEPPER
Agency Website: vdh.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians.
Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District (RRHD) seeks an experienced resource to fill the critical role of Environment Health Specialist (EHS).
The EHS will support the food safety and consumer services program. The EHS works to reduce risks of injury and to prevent the initiation and spread of communicable and non-communicable disease by means of investigation, education, and enforcement of established codes, policies, procedures and sanitation practices. Work assignments may be narrow or broad and may include such areas as: restaurant and food facilities, tourist establishments, migrant labor camps, campgrounds and rabies containment in support of work unit/district goals and objectives.
The Virginia Department of Health 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
• 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
Additional Considerations
• Experience in environmental health, such as experience gained as an Environmental Health Associate
• Knowledge of Environmental Health Science concepts or work experience directly related to Environmental Health Sciences, including but not limited to food safety, rabies control, aquatic health, hotel sanitation.
• Knowledge of the 2017 or 2022 FDA Food Codes
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) and/or Certified Professional – Food Safety (CP-FS)
• Experience in quality assurance, auditing or food safety supervision in the restaurant and/or food service industry
• ANSI Certified Food Protection Manager/Proctor Certification
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
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.
Contact Information
Name: Ramis Ahsan
Phone: 5408357909
Email: ramis.ahsan@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.